Concrete is a perfect alternative to brick, concrete, vinyl, linoleum, wood, tile, and other flooring solutions; it can be polished, stained, and resurfaced in different finishes and textures. Plus, concrete flooring features countless benefits in terms of durability, fire resistance, maintenance, strength, and acoustics. Concrete is made using a blend of aggregate, water, and cement to form a composite material that hardens over time. Learn more about the benefits of polished concrete here.

Where Can You Utilize Polished Concrete?

Industrial/commercial concrete flooring solutions are a great option for warehouses, garages, factories, lobbies, public institutions, and basements. You can also use concrete as a base and then add a different type of flooring on top; your choice should be based on the structure’s purpose.

With advanced technology, flooring experts can create numerous design options with this basic flooring material. Today, industrial concrete can be painted, stained, polished, or textured using several techniques.

This article will focus on concrete polishing and everything you need to know about polished concrete.

What Is Concrete Polishing?

Concrete polishing is the process of grinding and treating concrete progressively to achieve the desired degree of smoothness and shine. The task requires high levels of expertise and professionalism. You might need the help of flooring experts, especially if you don’t know how to use grinders effectively.

The materials and tools needed for concrete polishing include:

• Diamond grinding and vacuum equipment
• Grits of diamond or disks
• Polishing pads
• Gloves

Polished concrete floors feature a mirror-like, shiny finish. Design options are unlimited; you can choose your best color or make patterns using unique objects, embed aggregates, or even saw cuts on the flooring material before polishing. Since polished concretes require minimal maintenance, they are the most popular option for commercial buildings.

Levels of Concrete Polishing

You can control the levels of sheen and aggregate exposure of your concrete floor using different levels of concrete polishing. The reflectivity of your floor range from glassy finish to matte fining or something in between.

• Level 1 (below 100-grit resin bond): Your floor will look somehow hazy with minimal to zero reflection or clarity.
• 2 (400-grit resin bond): It features a low-sheen finish. You will observe a slight reflection when you look at the floor from an elevated position, precisely 100 feet above the surface.
• 3 (800-grit or higher): Produces a higher level of sheen and light reflectivity. Your floor will reflect overhead and side lighting from 30 to 50 feet.
• 4 (up to 3,000 grit): Features the highest level of shine and reflectivity. You will clearly see your reflection when standing above the surface. The floor will also look wet from different angles.

Methods of Polishing Concrete

There are two primary methods of polishing concrete; the dry polish method and the wet polish method, each with some advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of the polishing method used, smoothening your floor with a grinding machine comes first. This process involves several stages demanding different grind coarseness to achieve the standard of gloss and smoothness you desire.

Dry Polish Method

This method is perfect if you want a high-gloss shine for your surface. You will need a large corded electrical polishing machine for open floors and a smaller hand machine for hard-to-reach areas. Although the name says otherwise, you will add some water after every stage to eliminate dust.

Pros

• Better in terms of condensing and hardening the slab
• It gives a higher shine
• Ideal for both open and hard to reach surfaces

Cons

• More expensive than the wet polish method
• Prolonged downtime

Wet Polished Method

As the name suggests, this polishing method requires you to use water between stages. However, your flour will have a low luster instead of a glassy shine since the polishing disks have the same grit sizes in all polishing stages.

Pros

• Dust-free process and prevents dust contamination
• Shorter downtime
• Cheaper compared to the dry method
• Environmentally friendly; can use propane-fueled tools

Cons

• Low gloss shine
• It can only be applied to large, open spaces
• Cleaning the wet slurry left on the floor is time-consuming

Which Is the Best Method for Your Building?

If you are in the food and beverage industry, you might have to go with the wet polish method; according to the law in most states, you should apply a dust-free process. And if you want to appeal to your clients with a high-shine surface, choose the dry polish method.

Other factors that may affect your choice include your location, physics, expected results, and your timetable. However, it would be best to consult a flooring expert to help you determine the best method for your facility.

Concrete Polishing Process

Determining Surface Hardness

Use the MOHS test kit or MOHS concrete hardness tester to determine your floor hardness. You can test three or more areas of your surface to get an average figure.

Surface Preparation

Remove blemishes, light coatings, blemishes, and minor pits from the floor using a grit metal bond. The process takes three to four steps to achieve floor flatness.

Eliminate Metal Tool Marks

Use a 200, 100, or 50 grit transitional tool to remove all metal tool scratches and create a floor ready for polishing.

Harden and Densify the Concrete

Use one of the three main densifiers (Sodium silicate, lithium silicate, and potassium silicate) to harden your concrete floor and offer additional protection from staining and water penetration.

Fine Grinding the Surface

Use diamond abrasives bonded in a resin or plastic matrix to fine grind the concrete surface until you achieve the sheen you desire. You can start with 200 grit and then gradually shift to 400 and 800 grit. But for a high gloss finish, use 1500 grit. Ensure that you remove dust after every stage. Finally, burnish the surface using 3000 grit.

Seal the Polished Surface

Seal and protect the final look by adding a commercial stain-guard material and a surface wear protector. This step is critical if the floor is prone to chemicals, oil, or grease stains.

Advantages of Polished Concrete Floors

Anti-Slip

Polished concrete floors are less slippery than ordinary industrial concrete, polished marble, waxed linoleum, or hardwood floor. It’s therefore perfect for floors that are highly exposed to water spills.

Anti-Dust

Polished concrete is dust resistant, making it an excellent option for people who are allergic to dust. Perfect for hospitals, schools, and other public places.

Cost-Effective

Concrete polishing is cost-effective in the long run. Other flooring options require chemicals or wax to clean; regular refinishing, stripping, and waxing can be expensive. However, you only need water and soap to clean your polished concrete floor.

Resistant to Mold and Moisture Damage

Polished concrete can’t be damaged by moisture and doesn’t support bacteria and mold growth. It’s, therefore, an excellent option for buildings that host people with asthma or allergy vulnerability, like hospitals.

Durable

A polished concrete floor can serve you for an extended period, around 100 years, compared to other flooring solutions with a life span of between ten to twenty years. However, just like other commercial concrete flooring solutions, you can renovate it once in a while when you want to change the design or style.

Numerous Designs

There are numerous dyes and stains for polished concrete surfaces available in various aggregates and colors. You can engrave or stain your polished concrete floor to improve its appearance or add a character that suits your tastes and preferences. It enhances the aesthetic if you use stain and high gloss polish guard.

Polished floors also complement modern-style rooms and create a chic and welcoming environment. You don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve modern standards with concrete polishing.

Disadvantages of Polished Concrete Floors

Stains

Deep stains can be formed during concrete preparation when pouring the concrete slab. However, this doesn’t happen after polishing and sealing.

Discoloration

Polished concrete floors can change color if not well maintained. Fortunately, maintaining these floors is cost-effective and straightforward.

Costly Repair

While polished concrete floors are affordable, they might not be the cheapest solution if repairs are needed.

Concrete Maintenance

As mentioned above, polished concrete floors are durable; however, you must still clean and maintain them properly-this is particularly necessary if you install them in high-traffic retail or commercial facilities. Luckily, these floors are easier to maintain than other commercial concrete flooring solutions; they don’t need sealing or waxing.

Proper maintenance consists of frequent wet mopping using water and soap and daily dust mopping to eliminate grime and dirt. You can also use a floor cleaner to suspend the dirt particles for easier cleaning. The specific maintenance and cleaning schedule for polished concrete floors depends on the building traffic. So if you are installing them in high traffic buildings, frequent cleaning is mandatory.

Additional cleaning tips include:

• Clean stains and spills from your polished concrete surface as soon as possible to avoid permanent staining
• Use neutral floor cleaners
• Allow the cleaner to settle on the floor for a while before mopping or vacuuming
• Ensure that the cleaner doesn’t dry on the floor
• Use a microfiber pad when dust mopping
• Use mob and bucket to clean small areas and an automatic floor scrubber for larger surfaces

Conclusion

A polished concrete floor is a perfect choice for commercial and industrial spaces if you are looking for an affordable, durable and chic flooring solution. However, concrete polishing isn’t a straightforward DIY project; it requires flooring expertise, special diamond tooling, and heavy equipment.

How about you let a professional flooring contractor handle your project? Our team has the knowledge and experience needed to achieve excellent results. We are in Colorado and operate in Denver, Littleton, Fort Collins, Loveland, Aurora, Longmont, and Boulder. Contact us today!

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Elevate Your Space with the Beauty of Stained Concrete

Thinking about new floors? It’s tough to beat stained concrete for its looks, how long it lasts, and how you can make it truly your own. Remember those boring, gray concrete floors? Well, those days are over! Now, with the magic of concrete staining, we can turn your basement, patio, garage, or even your business space into something special, full of color and style. At Mile High Coatings, we’re the go-to folks for concrete staining in Denver, Fort Collins, and Boulder. We create custom floors that not only look fantastic but will also stay beautiful and strong for years to come.

Before and After Transformation

Witness the dramatic difference concrete staining can make. Here’s a look at a real project:

Before Staining:

After Staining:

Why Choose Concrete Staining?

Concrete staining is far more than a superficial application of color; it’s a transformative process that imbues your concrete with character and depth, creating a truly individualistic aesthetic. For homeowners and businesses alike in Denver, Fort Collins, and Boulder, the allure of stained concrete lies in its multifaceted benefits:

• Unparalleled Customization: Tired of generic floors? Concrete staining offers limitless customization, unlike other flooring with limited options. Think of it as a blank canvas for your unique style. Imagine soft, calming natural tones or bold, vibrant colors that truly stand out – the color possibilities are endless! Beyond color, our application techniques can create stunning effects, from marble-like swirls to intricate patterns and even faux expensive finishes. Your stained concrete floors will be a perfect reflection of your personal taste and the unique character of your home or business.
• Exceptional Durability and Longevity: It’s naturally a super strong material, and when we professionally stain and seal it, it just makes it even stronger. The color soaks into the concrete, so you don’t have to worry about chipping, peeling, or the color fading like you might with painted floors. That’s why it’s perfect for busy spots in your home or business, whether you’re in Denver, Fort Collins, or Boulder. And with the right sealing, these floors can manage just about anything life throws at them spills, scratches, moisture and they’ll look great for years and years.
• Effortless Low Maintenance: In today’s busy world, the ease of maintenance is a significant factor when choosing flooring. The great thing about stained concrete is how easy it is to keep clean. Just a quick sweep or a mop with some mild soap, and you’re good to go. Unlike carpets that collect every bit of dust and need constant deep cleaning, or hardwood floors that you have to baby to avoid scratches and water spots, stained concrete is a real time-saver and makes life a little easier. Plus, because it’s so easy to care for, you’ll save money on cleaning products and maybe even professional cleaning down the road.
• Remarkable Versatility Across Applications: Stained concrete’s versatility is truly impressive! Envision transforming a Denver basement into a stylish space, creating a welcoming Fort Collins patio or porch, or adding sophistication to a Boulder business with polished concrete. It’s perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, in homes or businesses, and complements any style from modern to rustic. Think kitchens, living rooms, shops, restaurants, offices the possibilities are vast!
• Environmentally Conscious and Cost-Effective: Choosing stained concrete can also be an environmentally responsible decision. By utilizing the existing concrete slab as the finished floor, you eliminate the need for additional materials, reducing waste and the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and transporting new flooring. Furthermore, the long lifespan and low maintenance requirements of stained concrete contribute to its overall cost-effectiveness. While the initial investment might vary depending on the complexity of the project, the long-term savings on maintenance and replacement make it an economically sound choice compared to many other flooring options. 

Why Choose Mile High Coatings for Concrete Staining in Denver, Fort Collins & Boulder?

At Mile High Coatings, our reputation as the premier concrete staining experts in Denver, Fort Collins, and Boulder is built upon our unwavering commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction. We understand that your floors are a significant investment, and we go beyond to ensure that you receive a stunning and durable result that exceeds your expectations. Here’s what makes Mile High Coatings the preferred choice for concrete staining:

• Experienced and Skilled Crews: Our team comprises multiple experienced crews who are resolute specifically to concrete staining. They really focus on concrete staining day in and day out, so they’ve developed a deep understanding of the process. Whether it’s a cozy patio or a sprawling commercial space, they have a way of bringing out the best in concrete. There’s a certain confidence that comes with knowing your project is in the hands of folks who’ve done this countless times, ensuring everything is just right, from start to finish.
• Uncompromising Use of High-Quality Materials: When it comes to your floors, we know you want them to look great and last. That’s why we’re really picky about the stains, dyes, and sealers we use, we only go for the top-notch stuff from brands we trust. This means you get beautiful, rich colors that will stay vibrant, floors that can manage everyday life without getting easily damaged, and protection from spills and even sun fading.
• Exceptional Standards of Workmanship: We really care about the work we do at Mile High Coatings. Our team is super careful about every little thing, making sure the stain is applied exactly right, the color looks even all over, and the result is something you’ll love. We’re not just aiming for “good enough” we want to give you floors that are even better than you expected.
• Meticulous and Rigorous Preparation Work: We understand that the key to a successful concrete staining project lies in thorough preparation. We start by giving your concrete a good clean, getting rid of any dirt, dust, oil, or old coatings that might be hanging around. We also take care of any little cracks or rough spots, so the final stained surface looks smooth and even. All this careful prep work is super important because it helps the stain really soak in and stick properly, giving you the best possible results.
• Thorough and Responsible Clean Up: We respect your property and ensure that our work area is left clean and tidy upon completion of the project. Our team takes care to remove all materials and debris, leaving you with nothing but beautifully stained floors to enjoy.
• Affordable and Competitively Priced Services: We believe that high-quality concrete staining should be accessible to everyone. We offer economical pricing for our services without ever compromising on the quality of our materials. We provide transparent and detailed quotes, ensuring that you know exactly what to expect.
• Trustworthy Professionals with Unwavering Integrity: Honesty and integrity are at the core of our business values. We are committed to being upfront and transparent in all our dealings, providing honest advice and reliable service. You can trust us to deliver on our promises and act in your best interests.
• Dedicated to Excellent Customer Service: Your satisfaction is our top priority. We are committed to providing exceptional customer service1 from the initial consultation to the final walkthrough. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always available to answer your questions, address your concerns, and ensure a smooth and positive experience.
• Comprehensive Color and Project Planning Assistance: Choosing the right colors and finishes for your stained concrete can be an exciting but sometimes overwhelming process. Our experienced team offers expert guidance and assistance in color selection and project planning, helping you to achieve the perfect look for your space.
• Courteous, Experienced, and Friendly Staff: We believe that a positive and professional demeanor is essential. Our staff is not only highly skilled but also courteous, experienced, and friendly, ensuring a pleasant and hassle-free experience for our clients.
• Proudly Locally Owned and Operated in Fort Collins, CO: As a locally owned and operated business, we are deeply invested in our community. We are not a franchise, and we take pride in serving our neighbors in Fort Collins, Denver, and Boulder.
• Exceptional Safety Record: We prioritize the safety of our team and your property. We adhere to strict safety protocols and maintain an excellent safety record.

The fact that most of our business comes from repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado speaks volumes about our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Our Concrete Staining Options: Tailoring to Your Needs

At Mile High Coatings, we offer two primary concrete staining applications, each with its unique characteristics and benefits:

Concrete Acid Staining Application: The Art of Chemical Reaction

Concrete acid staining is a specialized technique that transforms floors into unique works of art. This process involves applying a mild acidic solution with metallic salts, which react chemically with the concrete’s calcium hydroxide. This reaction creates permanent, variegated colors, typically in earth tones like browns, tans, terra cottas, and subtle greens or blues, resulting in a natural, mottled appearance with beautiful variations. Ideal for basements, commercial spaces in Boulder desiring an aged aesthetic, and rustic outdoor patios, acid staining requires clean, unsealed concrete for proper reaction. Following the staining, we meticulously neutralize and clean the surface before applying a premium sealer, available in various sheens, to protect the color and enhance durability for your desired finish.

Concrete Stain, Dye, and Seal: Versatility and Vibrant Colors

Our popular concrete stain, dye, and seal application offers versatile color options and a consistent finish. We start by diamond grinding the concrete for a smooth, porous surface, which also removes old flooring. This allows for vibrant color choices not typical with acid staining. We then apply a durable, UV and chemical-resistant industrial-grade Polyaspartic sealer, ideal for high-traffic commercial areas in Denver and beyond. We can also repair concrete imperfections before staining for a flawless result.

Transform Your Floors Today with Mile High Coatings!

Ready to transform your space with stunning stained concrete? Contact Mile High Coatings today for a free estimate in Denver, Fort Collins, or Boulder! You can reach our expert team by calling us at (970) 663-7300 or sending an email. Our expert team can help with basements, retail spaces, patios, and more. Beyond staining, we offer durable epoxy, long-lasting Polyaspartic, decorative overlays, patio and porch coatings, driveway coatings, and garage storage solutions in Denver. For our Fort Collins and Boulder clients, we also provide interior and exterior house painting services. Don’t settle for ordinary concrete, let Mile High Coatings bring your vision to life!

Get Your Free Estimate Today!

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Concrete staining is an easy, affordable way to transform your dull concrete into an eye-catching extension of your living space. Whether your goal is to spruce up your patio or beautify your basement, the staining and sealing process can infuse life, color, and vitality into your drab gray concrete. Below is a look at the benefits of staining concrete and the key to ensuring you are pleased with your results.

How Does the Concrete Staining Process Work?

Before diving into the many advantages of stained concrete, it is helpful to understand how the process unfolds. On the surface, the staining process seems like it would be straightforward. However, there is much more to concrete staining than choosing a stain color and applying it to your patio. In a nutshell, the process can be broken down into four phases:

Phase One: Clean and Prepare the Concrete Surface

The path to beautifully stained concrete begins with a smooth, clean surface. Using the proper tools and prep materials during this step is essential to achieve beautiful results. For this reason alone, it’s best to hire an experienced concrete staining company to handle your project. Here are some ways a skilled professional can help prepare your surface for beautiful results:

• Use cutting-edge tools: Experienced professionals use a concrete diamond grinder and other cutting-edge tools to prepare your floors.
• Remove stubborn glue or drywall mud: Skilled pros know how to completely remove glue, mud, and carpet glue from your concrete.
• Repair wide cracks: While small cracks can give your stained concrete floors character, you may wish to have wide cracks repaired.

Phase Two: Apply the Concrete Staining

Once your existing concrete is fully cleaned and prepared, it’s time to apply the stain. Many stains feature a mixture of acid and color that produces a chemical reaction with the lime and calcium in your concrete when applied. It’s important to exercise caution during the staining process to avoid unintentionally staining nearby patio furnishings. Here are some steps a skilled technician will take to protect your property during the staining process:

• Carefully apply color samples so you know how your finished patio or floor will look with the stain you choose
• Mask off surrounding areas to prevent unintentional staining or damage
• Ensure weather conditions are ideal before applying your stain

Remember that staining is a permanent process. Once you apply the stain, you can’t “remove it” or start over if you don’t like the results. The safest path is to work with a professional who will apply color samples to give you an accurate representation of how your concrete surface will react to the stain.

Phase Three: Remove Residue and Clean the Stained Surface

Applying an acid-based stain to concrete can create a residue that should be removed once the chemical reaction is complete. The amount of residue you can expect will depend on the type of stain that is applied. Regardless of how heavy or light the residue is, it must be neutralized with water and an agent such as ammonia, T.S.P., or baking soda. Then, the surface must be rinsed with water and allowed to dry prior to applying the sealant.

Attempting to seal your patio without removing the residue can impact your sealant’s ability to form a strong bond with your stained concrete. Ultimately, glossing over this important step can lead to undesirable results.

Phase Four: Apply the Sealant

The final phase of the staining process involves the application of a sealant. Also called a clear coat, the sealant you apply will protect your stained concrete and help maintain its beautiful appearance for years.

Denver’s leading concrete staining companies typically use a high-quality Polyaspartic clear coat, urethane or an acrylic sealer to ensure that the sealant forms a strong bond with your newly stained concrete. Other options may also be available depending on the nature of your project.

What Are the Benefits of Staining and Sealing Your Concrete Patio?

“Stained concrete has become a mainstream flooring option embraced by both businesses and homeowners because of its design versatility and ease of maintenance. Concrete stains have expanded far beyond interior commercial spaces and are now commonplace in the home as well as outdoors.” – Chris Sullivan, Concrete Staining Today, ConcreteNetwork

Concrete staining offers many advantages that have enabled it to continue to gain traction among commercial property owners and homeowners. In particular, outdoor enthusiasts across the Greater Denver area are turning to concrete staining to revitalize their drab patios. Here are a few of the many benefits you can enjoy by staining and sealing your concrete patio:

1) The Sealing Process Protects Your Patio

The application of a stain and sealant does more than beautify your concrete. It actually protects your patio’s surface and boosts its longevity. A high quality Polyaspartic sealant can add years to the life of your patio by helping to prevent fading, moisture absorption, and even freeze-thaw damage.

2) You Can Choose From a Variety of Colors

Today’s homeowners have more stain colors than ever from which to choose. In fact, you can choose a different color for every room in your home and still have hundreds of options to consider for your patio. You can even bring your concrete stainer a picture or swatch of your dream color you have in mind for your patio and ask if they can customize a stain for you.

3) The Process Won’t Exhaust Your Budget

Staining your existing concrete costs a fraction of what you would pay to install a completely new patio surface. The price you can expect to pay will vary according to your location, the condition of your concrete, and the level of detail involved with your staining project. You can expect to pay between $3 and $7 per square foot for an outdoor staining project, though price you pay could be higher or lower depending on its complexity.

4) You Can Enjoy Gorgeous Results Quickly

If you’ve ever had a deck, tile, or new wood flooring installed, you may remember wishing the process would come to a close. While every project is different, many concrete staining projects can be completed in only a couple of days. This is a relief to many homeowners who are eager to begin using their beautiful, newly enhanced patio.

5) Stained Concrete Patios and Floors Are Low-Maintenance

Stained concrete patios are durable, water-resistant, and require little in the way of care or maintenance. You don’t need any special tools and can keep them looking sharp with just a broom and dust mop. Stained concrete is also known for its pet-friendly nature, making it a great choice for the estimated 99,000 Denver households with pets.

6) The Concrete Staining Process Can Help Mask or Enhance the Appearance of Cracks

A common question among homeowners is whether they should have existing cracks repaired prior to the staining process. While top providers will be happy to carry out any repair requests you may have before the staining process, be sure to give this some thought before you have any minor cracks repaired. The staining process can actually give minor cracks a striking appearance, bringing character to your patio.

7) You Can Stain Concrete Outdoors or Indoors

Concrete staining offers an unmatched level of versatility. Staining your concrete patio is just the tip of the iceberg of possibilities for you as a creative, cost-conscious homeowner. For example, you can stain your concrete countertops, a concrete bathroom sink, hallway floors, and your basement. You can even stain your garage floor to give it a warmer appearance.

8) You Can Customize Your Patio to Match Your Preferences

Concrete staining offers a high degree of customizability. For example, you may be seeking a special finish or texture for your concrete patio. Or, you may want your patio’s color to complement your existing hardscape designs in your backyard. Today’s top concrete staining specialists will welcome the opportunity to create the patio of your dreams.

What Is the Key to Your Satisfaction With Concrete Staining?

Concrete staining is an attractive solution to homeowners in search of a simple, affordable way to spruce up their patios. But not all staining projects turn out as planned. The key to your satisfaction with concrete staining is to seek the guidance of an industry expert to handle your project. While you could certainly attempt to stain your own concrete, your results may not meet your expectations.

As Denver’s most trusted provider of concrete staining services, Mile High Coatings has a proven track record of success beautifying concrete patios and floors across the area. Our outstanding reviews and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) are a testament to our dedication to working with our customers to achieve five-star results.

We invite you to contact us today for a free onsite estimate. During your consultation, we will carefully evaluate your patio surface, review staining options with you, and tell you how we can help you realize your vision. We look forward to helping you transform your patio into your favorite living space!

The post 8 Reasons to Spruce up Your Patio With Concrete Staining appeared first on Mile High Coatings.

Epoxy Floors aren’t just for garages! We installed this Mica flake in our customer’s sunroom in Greeley. Even though we have done epoxy on wood substrates, this was a concrete floor, as usual. The Mica flakes are a little different to use than normal vinyl chip flakes. And they can flutter around and make cleanup a bit of a chore. The crew was careful to make sure they contained flakes and it turned out awesome! If you want an awesome floor, be sure to make us one of your options. If you need carpet removal or another type of floor removed, we can certainly help you out with that. Need help moving some furniture out of the way – we’re here to do it for you. Concrete coatings are great, affordable options to achieve a unique look that will be functional for many years! Get in touch today and we would be happy to discuss your painting or flooring project! We serve Greeley, Loveland, Fort Collins and surrounding areas.

The post Greeley patio sunroom concrete coating appeared first on Mile High Coatings.

One of the very popular applications we do is acid staining concrete. As with many types of various home improvement projects, it appears to be simpler than it actually is.

When we first started staining concrete nearly ten years ago, we charged around $2.00 per SF. Most of this was due to understanding the basics but not having the experience. As we’ve stained hundreds of floors, we’ve gained an understanding of the nuances and pros and cons of staining concrete. Today’s price, between $4.00-5.00 per Square Foot, is still very affordable and economical when comparing different flooring options like laminate, tile, hardwood or carpet.

One of the common results is depicted in the photos above. The desirable variation of acid staining is seen. In this case, a seemingly clean slab had some sort of chemical spilled on the concrete at some point. More often than not, these spills aren’t noticeable until after the acid stain’s chemical reaction has occurred. As I often say during consultations, it is one of the “risks” of acid staining – we can’t control the chemical reaction. In other words, we don’t necessarily know where or how the acid stain is going to react throughout the floor. This is part of the appeal of this process – the fact that every floor is one-of-a-kind and you get what you get. Of course, there are a couple ways to try to prevent the “flaws” but I’ll save those for another article. Referring to the photos as an example, it would appear to the untrained eye that the acid stain itself was spilled or dripped. This is a common misconception and is an example of what I’ve mentioned above – it simply reacted differently due to a prior contamination of some unknown substance. This project was located in Severance, CO and the colors we used are “Mission Brown” and “Coffee.” We sealed it with a penetrating solvent-based sealer.

See the different photos of acid stains we’ve done here to see how they are all very different to each other.

As always, if this is something you’re interested in exploring, please reach out and we’d be happy to set up a consultation and/or answer any questions you may have.

The post What You Need To Know About Acid Staining Concrete appeared first on Mile High Coatings.

We’ve seen a lot of growth in the local market for epoxy garage floors here in Northern Colorado. They are popular for various reasons. With the growing popularity, comes the inevitable growth of new service providers. Whether it’s someone that recognizes the opportunity and purchases a franchise or has worked for another company and wants to start their own business, there are a few different ways to enter this market.

The reason I’m bringing this up is because when I started Mile High Coatings in 2008, at the very beginning of the Great Recession I only had painting contracting experience from my college years (I ran a successful painting business in the summers while attending Colorado State University). I knew there was more to the industry than just painting. So, I researched, talked to my paint sales reps (who also manufactured lots of epoxy), went to trainings for various products and slowly and methodically grew my business from the ground up.

As we’ve grown to become the local market leader in concrete coatings, I’ve recognized that in order to maintain that position, we have to be creative and offer new and exciting options for our customers. That brings me to the photos below. This is a mica flake garage floor system.

While the coatings themselves are the same as we use in our other systems, the flake (also called “chip”) is real mica, instead of vinyl like normal flakes. The neat thing about mica flake is that they shimmer or give off a unique sparkle. This garage floor, located in the Bucking Horse subdivision in Fort Collins was certainly a fun one to do. The customer, Matt, and his wife were so great to work with! They had recently moved from out of state and their new home is their retirement home and they wanted to have a nice garage floor! They had seen us installing a garage floor for their neighbors and knew they had to have one after seeing it done.

Want to have a nice garage floor, call us at (970)314-1023 for free estimates and consultation! 

The post What You Need To Know About Garage Floors appeared first on Mile High Coatings.

The popularity of concrete staining in Colorado is increasing every year. This can probably be explained by a number of scenarios and reasons, so I’ll touch on a couple in this article and continue in my next.

Here in Northern Colorado, especially in Windsor, Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley where there are a lot of basements, concrete staining can make sense for many people. Most are familiar with these applications as they see a lot of stained concrete in commercial applications – office hallways and lobbies, hardware stores and retail and showrooms, to name a few. We see more and more homeowners asking for and designers integrating stained concrete as part of basement finish projects or remodels.

The aesthetic appeal is one of the biggest factors in why our customers choose to go with stained concrete. Every floor is unique and has it’s own characteristics, virtues and flaws. After all, we’re dealing with a human-installed substrate in concrete with it’s own mixes and variables and then treating it. With that said, the condition of the substrate along with the customer’s desired outcome will determine how we go about the staining process.

The photos above are of a basement floor in Fort Collins. This particular basement started out as an unfinished basement and the original concept and plan was to stain the concrete. During construction, the floor was generally protected from spills and damage. I’ve included a color sample of the gray that we ultimately used. As you can see, the limitations of lighting and unprofessional camera/photography skills result in color differences. Not only that, but the sample did look different than the rest of floor. Same concrete and same stain/dye. One of the tough topics of discussion is that even samples can vary because with some brands/products there seems to be some variation in their color formulas (for lack of a better term). Notably, this particular color, called Speedway Gray by Miracote has given us some inconsistent results across jobs. It’s certainly frustrating, so we have mostly moved on from this product, however, it is still available and we’ll use it if requested. When it works and the color is accurate, it’s a beautiful dye. Note: I use stain and dye interchangeably and from my perspective there isn’t a difference, at least not in the context of this particular article.

Because of the sealer that we used, polyaspartic, we performed a diamond grind with two passes over the concrete. Then we applied the stain, which is a non-reactive stain, let it dry and applied the clear coat sealer. I’ll add that we very lightly accented with a different product with two colors – black and walnut. The accents are subtle but give it a bit more variation, which, for most customers, is desirable.

This popular type of application, although seemingly rich and expensive looking, is quite affordable. Many people ask, how much does it cost to stain concrete? For most floors, you’re looking between $4.00-6.00 per Square Foot. I’ll have another blog about a project that we fixed for a homeowner who tried it themselves and it ended up costing them more than double the original amount when it was all over with (including what they spent themselves). Many homeowners could, with careful research and asking a lot of questions probably successfully stain their concrete. It’s not rocket science, but it certainly is easy to get off course and recovering is extremely difficult in a DIY scenario.

If you have any questions, I’m always open to helping out a fellow homeowner by offering a tip or two. As always, feel free to contact us for a free on-site estimate!

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Here at Mile High Coatings, we’ve been around in Northern Colorado for a few years now. Check that, more than a few years — let’s try over a decade of experience delivering high-quality painting and coating services for both residential and commercial structures throughout Northern Colorado.

One of our bread-and-butter services is our concrete staining solutions. We’ve written about our metallic epoxy flooring, concrete acid staining, and concrete staining, dying, and sealing work in general. One thing we have yet to mention, however, is who we prefer to perform the concrete installation work prior to us coming on the scene.

Yes, believe it or not, we aren’t able to be experts at ever single service — that’s why we need experienced local concrete contractors like Cesar’s Concrete out of Johnstown to literally lay the foundation for our work. Cesar’s Concrete is our number one recommendation for Fort Collins concrete services, and, in an act of good faith, we are taking today’s post as an opportunity to shine the spotlight on one of our favorite Northern Colorado businesses.

Need Expert Concrete Services?

More often than not, we get recommended by Cesar’s Concrete for people in need of concrete staining services. It makes sense too, since the next step after a concrete installation is to make give it a nice seal. But what is less common is us getting asked to name a Northern Colorado concrete company that is worth their salt. Why? That’s an easy one, because the concrete has already been laid.

But today we are able to answer this question once and for all; Cesar’s Concrete handles a variety of concrete repair and installation jobs for commercial and residential projects, just like we do at Mile High Coatings. When it comes to concrete driveways, patios, walkways, barn doors, and other concrete services, they’ve got you covered with reliable work they stand by.

Cesar, yes THE Cesar from Cesar’s Concrete, is a family man. He started his concrete company some 25 years ago with the pillars of honesty, integrity, and good, solid work as his foundation, if you’ll allow the pun. One of our favorite qualities Cesar’s Concrete has is that even though their company has grown to handle concrete projects throughout Northern Colorado, Cesar still makes his way out to each job site, whether the project is big or small, commercial or home-based. Every single project is up to Cesar’s personal standards of excellence. That’s what’s made them such a successful concrete contractor over the years!

Call Cesar’s Concrete

At Mile High Coatings, we are a part of the communities of Loveland, Fort Collins, Boulder, Greeley, Windsor, Longmont, Johnstown, and up and down the Northern Colorado Front Range. Cesar’s Concrete is too, and they, just like us, do a great job of combining value with quality.

If you need local concrete services performed by a trustworthy, passionate, and experienced concrete contractor of Northern Colorado, give Cesar’s Concrete a call for repair, installation, or even if you have a few questions. Then call us for expert concrete sealing!

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Luckily or unluckily, depending on if you enjoy the snow, we haven’t gotten that much this year in Fort Collins. However, we have been exposed to some chilly weather, which means you’re probably waiting patiently for the spring weather to appear. With the holidays finished and Valentine’s Day around the corner, there’s nothing wrong with allowing your mind to drift toward warmer weather and fun in the sun.

One of the negatives about warm weather is spring cleaning. No matter what time of the year it may be, cleaning is something no one enjoys. Instead of waiting until March to begin thinking about what you need to do for spring cleaning and preparing your home for the summer, start considering it now. The benefit of starting the process for preparing your home for summer is that you’ll be able to spend more time in the sun and less time buried in boxes and on the phone with home services to find the right one for you. If you want to start preparing your home for summer with our residential painting services, then now is the time to get started. For more information on our exterior services, reach out to us.

Tips To Ensure Your Home Is Summer Ready

The very thought of summer can bring a smile to anyone’s face. The fact you’ll get to enjoy the summer in a beautiful home should make you excited. At Mile High Coating, we offer a variety of services to prepare your home for the summer. One of the most popular services that you can take advantage of as we approach warmer months is residential painting. This can mean the outside and the inside of your home because we offer both. We want to help you prepare your home for the summer because you’ll be able to spend more time doing things you want to do instead of focusing on home improvement. These tips will prepare your home for the summer, and while you may think that it’s too early to start thinking about warm weather, it will be here before you know it.

Hire A Professional Painting Service To Refresh Your Home’s Look

As a painting company, we encourage you to have your home touched up with our residential services. As the leading painting contractor in the Front Range area, we have the necessary experience to make your home look new. Whether you have some cracked or chipped paint or you want to raise the value of your home with an extra coat of paint, our residential painting services will make your home look like new. In addition, we’ll stay on an accurate and prompt schedule, so you don’t have to worry about when we’re going to finish. What makes us stand apart from other painting companies in the Denver area is that we’ll address what you want to be done on your house and provide quality workmanship.

Ready your Patio and Coat The Deck

In addition to residential painting, we also offer patio and deck services. We don’t know about you, but having a patio or a deck in the summer is one of the best parts of living in Colorado. With the backdrop of the mountains, the bright sunshine on your face, and your grill going strong, a patio or a deck is a vital part of the house. As the summer months get closer, you probably want to prepare your patio or your deck for the festivities you have planned or to have somewhere to go to relax on after a long workday.

At Mile High Coating, we provide patio staining and deck coating. If you need touchups on your house and your patio or you want your deck protected, then we can be your one-stop-shop for both services. Our patio staining service is a beneficial service because it offers traction and an overall aesthetic appeal that will create a clean and uniform look. Our deck coating service is a great option for homes with decks because it’ll protect the surface from harm. If you are even thinking about entertaining this summer on your patio or your deck, then take the time to contact a Top Rated Local® Professional Coating Solutions company.

Clean Out The Garage

Our last tip is to clean out the garage. Why wait to clean out your garage when the mountains are calling to you? Instead, take an initiative with your garage and start to clean it out and then take advantage of our garage floor coating service. In addition to epoxy flooring, we also have super high performance polyaspartic floor coatings to create a better garage for you. Regardless if you park your car in your garage or it’s just for storage, this service will improve the resistance to abrasion as well as create a gloss retention over the floor.

While you may not be ready to paint now — and we don’t blame you because it could snow again any day — it’s vital that you begin to think of how you can get your home ready for summer. Before you know it, summer will be here and you’ll be hunting through quality painting companies to find the right one to make your home look fantastic. Eliminate searching for ideal painting companies and come to Mile High Coating, so you can spend more time with your family and friends while we do the work.

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Although we are based out of Fort Collins, we provide residential and commercial painting services to a host of Front Range, Northern Colorado towns and communities. If you look on our Mile High Coatings Service Area, you’ll see that we offer Colorado coating and painting services on homes and businesses in communities like Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Greeley, Denver, Longmont, Boulder, Denver, Arvada, Westminster, Berthoud, and beyond.

In our previous post, we took some time to relay the 19th-century beginnings of Loveland, Colorado. Located some 10 miles to the east of Loveland and Fort Collins, Greeley is a Northern Colorado community to which we’ve been providing commercial and residential painting services for quite some time now. Whether folks are interested in finding residential painters, Greeley epoxy flooring contractors, or if they are in need of closet storage ideas and solutions from professionals, we’ve got you covered at Mile High Coatings. As a testament to our affection for this wonderful community that’s most notably host to the annual Greeley Stampede, we want to tell the story of Greeley’s beginnings in the same way we did with Loveland. Keep reading if you are interested in finding Greeley house painters or are just in the mood for a Colorado history lesson!

The history Of Greeley

Greeley, CO, is the seat of Weld County, and was founded in 1870 by members of the Union Colony of Colorado. The Union Colony of Colorado, headed by Nathan Meeker (the agricultural editor of Horace Greeley’s New York Tribune) was a joint-stock colonization company. Mr. Meeker wanted to found a community that exemplified all of the good qualities a settlement should have: quality education, religious access, social cooperation, family values, and commercial opportunities as well. Although Meeker was the primary impetus behind the establishment of Greeley, the town, as you may have deduced, was named after Horace Greeley. Horace, being the east-coaster that he was, visited his namesake once…and never returned.

In 1886, Greeley became incorporated as a second-class city (an official title, mind you), with a population just north of 2,000 folks. There was an abundance of agricultural success in the town, which was supplemented by the introduction of sugar beet production right around the turn of the century. During that same, pre-World War One time period, the community of Greeley experienced an influx of German-Russians and Japanese immigrants. Many of these folks who emigrated found work on the sugar beet farms. The demographic change led to an increase in commercial and residential production, along with some serious water shortages the town would have to deal with swiftly.

Being swift was not accomplished, however. It wasn’t until 1937 when the Colorado-Big Thompson Project gained approval. Utilizing a cutting-edge high-mountain reservoir and trans-mountain water-diversion tunnel system, worries of water shortages became a thing of the past.

Greeley In The The 50s and 60s

The 50s saw Greeley experience a boom. New businesses, schools, public institutions, farms, houses, and new industries all sprung up during this decade. Ben Cruce, a city council member, was instrumental in the adoption of a new zoning plan, which helped map out Greeley’s future in a responsible way.

In the 50s and 60s (and perhaps earlier), Greeley was a “dry” city. This lasted until the 70s when the localized prohibition was converted from a law to a memory.

More recently, Greeley became a part of the “high-tech” world, when Hewlett-Packard Company put down roots in 1982. Sadly, the company left the city of Greeley in 2000, leaving behind nothing more than the massive building it used for nearly two decades. However, hope springs eternal, as new commercial use has recently reinvigorated a once-depressing part of the town.

Greeley Residential Painters

If you are looking for Greeley painting and coating services, look no further than Mile High Coating. Not only do we provide competitive pricing, we offer top-class experience, high-grade materials, and a commitment to getting the job done right. You can’t trust just anyone to be your local house painter, so why not go with a Greeley painting company that has a track record of success with the reputation to back it up. Get in touch with us at Mile High Coating for your next coating or painting project. So start dreaming outside the box! Get your free estimate today!

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