Concrete Floor Plan design

Concrete coatings and overlays provide a floor plan design solution that serves 2 very important issues

1. Function
2. Design

Overlays are thin about 1/16^th of an inch thick . They are extremely durable and easy to maintain.

After application concrete sealers are applied reducing surface porosity and eliminating the chance of dust, mold or algae buildup, hence a clean, healthy environment.

One of the biggest issues concrete overlays solve is the height issue at doorways and steps. In residential basements there is the issue of height from bottom step to floor. Zoning requirements typically call for six inch risers. If floor height to step is the required six inches then ceramic tile or hardwood will raise the floor in violation to zoning requirements.

This is a factor in many retail centers. If height of floor relative to doorways is not considered during floor plan design there may an issue at entrance to the store. We saw this recently at a new multi –million dollar retail center.

Every retailer had a height issue at the entrance. The transition from sidewalk into store would not allow for flooring thicker than 1/8^th inch. Half of all tenants adjusted their overall design and installed a decorative concrete overlay saving time, money and creating the image they were seeking.

Those who went with their original flooring design of hardwood or tile had to delay their opening day due to construction changes at the entrance. Door frames had to be removed and raised 1 inch adding plan changes, change orders, meetings and approvals by city zoning officials .

In many parts of the country as real estate values increase older buildings are rehabbed into a higher and better use.

This is a trend in many cities that once had a manufacturing base with old industrial buildings now being converted in to multi family or condos. Old manufacturing buildings built with concrete and brick have the transition and height issues at doorways and stairs. This becomes a significant floor plan design obstacle which are solved with decorative concrete overlays.

A concrete overlay system can be installed to appeal to its environment. Overlays can be designed and installed with simple earth tone colors of grays and browns or can be a canvas for an artistic application.. They can be modern or old world. They are a flooring option in residential homes, basements, garages, retail stores, restaurants, hair salons, art galleries, hotels or car showrooms.

Concrete coatings and overlays are highly effective with the correct use of light, wall coverings, furniture and accessories.

We have found that many of the simpler floors are the most effective. Dramatic floors make design challenging and difficult. In most cases a dramatic floor will draw the eye away from other features in a room. This creates an imbalance in design.

In a retail store or art gallery the eye should be on the featured items, the floor should not steal the show.

Look for other articles in this series about working and designing with concrete flooring.

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