What's New ~
October
2006
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Octagon-Shaped Tiles |
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The most popular pattern for acid-stained floors in
finished basements these days is the large, square
tiles, normally 3.5' to 4' on a side. You can
see a picture of this pattern
here. The tiles are measured out and cut
into the floor using a special diamond-blade saw
called the Mongoose before staining the floor.
The saw cuts can then be left empty, as in the
photo, or filled with a colored grout to accent the
floor.
Now, Engrave-A-Crete, manufacturer of the Mongoose,
has come out with an octagon-shaped tile pattern
that can be cut into the floor in the same manner as
the tiles, using another of their engraving tools,
the Shark. You can see a picture of the
template for this pattern below (left). We think it
is a great alternative to the tile pattern that will
give homeowners something a little more unique for
their floor. |
Just take a look at the photo to the right.
That's inside the Vatican. They have something
very similar to this pattern on the floor.
We're not sure it's acid-stained, or engraved, but
we could have done it that way!
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Sealers for your Stained Floor |
Most people aren't aware of it, but the quality and
type of sealer the contractor uses on your
acid-stained floor can make a big difference in the
cost of your floor, as well its durability. A
lot of research and experimentation has gone into
our decisions as to whose sealers to use and which
ones, so we can confidently say we use the best
sealers in the industry. "Best" means they use
high quality resins with great adhesion that,
indoors, will withstand constant impact and abrasion
from foot traffic and pets and, outdoors, will
withstand the UV rays of the sun, as well as
repeated wet/dry and freeze/thaw cycles.
As for the type of sealer used on your decorative
project, that is largely your decision. All
sealers used indoors require that you periodically
maintain a floor finish or wax on the surface that
will protect your sealer. This is because
floor finishes and waxes are easy to re-apply, and
strip, if necessary; sealers are not. But some
sealers require greater vigilance with the floor
finish or wax than others. Acrylic sealers are
the least expensive and generally require greater
care than high end sealers. Epoxies and
urethanes, the next step up, are much more resistant
to damage (e.g., scratching and scuffing), but they
are also more expensive, about $1 more per square
foot.
We use different sealers, and combinations of sealers,
depending on several factors: your budget; the
depth of color and gloss you want to see; the amount
of abuse the floor will take; and whether a
temporary odor is acceptable or not. So when
you call us, make sure to let us know about your
particular sealer needs, and we will quote you the
best sealer and price for your situation. And
when you call other contractors, don't forget to ask
them about their sealers and costs as well, so that
when you decide on which contractor to use, you are
comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges.
Please be aware that the wrong choice of sealer, use of a sealer of poor quality,
or its improper application can quickly ruin an
otherwise perfect decorative floor project!
Most often, when this happens, small repairs are not
possible, and expensive repairs, entailing the full
removal of the sealer and application of a new one,
are necessary.
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