 | Turn Cracks in Concrete
Floors into Assets
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Greetings!
 Are existing cracks in your concrete floor thwarting your dreams of enhancing it with a decorative treatment? There's no reason to cringe at cracks. As long as they're
not creating structural problems, they can actually be an asset to
your design and add to the character and rustic nature of your floor. Just take a look at these ideas for how to incorporate cracks into an appealing
concrete floor design.
Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
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Give them a dye job
Minor cracks and pits can be darkened with applications of stain or
dye for a marble-like veined look. On this floor, the cracks were filled with a white-tinted filler to absorb even more color and make the cracks more visible.
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Disguise with sawcuts
It's possible to work
existing cracks into your floor design through sawcuts. One way to do this is to have your contractor cut joints
into the concrete that follow existing crack lines, turning cracks into a purposeful pattern. See how
cracks were worked into the design of this previously carpeted residential floor.
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Blend in patterns
Minor cracks in a concrete floor are less likely to be noticed when you detract from their appearance using pattern and color. An easy way to mask cracks is to "weave" them into a stencil pattern applied to the floor. Learn more about using decorative stencils.
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Let them be your guide
Let the cracks in your floor guide your design. Their random patterning and
depth can add natural detail and create a rustic, fractured look. Your contractor can even accentuate your decorative crack pattern by airbrushing the cracks with color.
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