New concrete floor, how to protect it.

[Johnseat]

I've poured a new concrete base this morning and over the next few weeks I'll be building the workshop from brick.
I'm wanting to protect this new floor so I was thinking about it and came to two decisions.
1. Paint it, which paint though and what colour.
2. Tile it but tiles are slippy when wet or muddy ect...

What's the best option people, any opinions are welcome.

 

[brightspark]

don't put anything on it till it has completely cured and dried out or u will be sorry . it will take at least few weeks to dry

 

[123hotchef]

chequer plate

 

[Championship White]

I used Leyland floor paint from Screwfix and thought it was pretty good.

 

[Pete.]

As Brightspark said let it cure before you seal the surface.

How was it finished? Powerfloat or hand-floated?

 

[mike os]

at least 28 days before you paint it

on site we usually just chuck some sand over it, especially where you are laying

 

[Johnseat]

As Brightspark said let it cure before you seal the surface.

How was it finished? Powerfloat or hand-floated?

Floated and then brushed 5 hours after once it had set to stand on.
It's left a nice rough texture which would be spot on for painting ect...

 

[Screwdriver]

Epoxy floor paint. Lasts for years if you do it right.

 

[gaz1]

if you want to protect it whilst building the rest of it use a layer of sand or soil or put plastic down onto the surface

if only just laid how thick is it also depends on how long you leave it to build upon general usage its in days building onit can range from a week up to 4 weeks depends on how thick your base or foundations are also depends on the weather as well

id also go for epoxy paint on a new floor myself looks loverly and you can see your tools on it

 

[rockweasel]

http://www.renotex.co.uk/

 

[Johnseat]

http://www.renotex.co.uk/

Brick red looks awesome!!!!!

 

[Screwdriver]

Yes but for a workshop floor you really want a light grey or anything you drop will be lost forever. Dark red means a dark workshop, great for dungeons I suppose, bit less practical for a workshop or garage space.

 

[Pete.]

Brick red looks awesome!!!!!

It does but it will reduce the light levels a lot and it's not so easy to find dropped small parts. I had mine a nice green colour at first and noticed this. Now it's light grey and it's a great improvement.

 

[brightspark]

paint it whatever colour u can pick up at the sales for next to nowt. theres plenty about

 

[voipio]

Don't let it physically dry out for several days, else it will not cure to maximum strength. Ideally soak the top of the laid concrete and then put plastic sheeting over the concrete surface to stop it drying out.

 

[addjunkie]

http://www.renotex.co.uk/

Whats this like price wise

 

[rockweasel]

Whats this like price wise

£200 (delivered) for a 20L drum IIRC.

 

[WorkshopChris]

As others have said sand for general protection, you need to watch plastic as it can slip.
If you have to move anything heavy or with feet that may dig in or vibrate, a few 8 x 4 sheets of hardboard, cheap but very hardwearing.

 

[knighty]

what do you want to protect it from ?


for me, it's a workshop, concrete is the perfect floor

painting it just means time/maintenance when it needs another coat, and/or it looks a mess when it does get marked up

 

[addjunkie]

£200 (delivered) for a 20L drum IIRC.

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