The industrial style is one of the biggest trends in architecture and interior design in recent years, and with it came the popularization of burnt cement cladding. For this reason, more and more people are interested in learning how to make burnt cement floors to apply to their homes and commercial spaces, since this is a very versatile and practical finish.
The burnt cement floor has high durability and resistance, in addition to having a neutral appearance and being easy to clean and low maintenance. With its rustic appearance, it can be combined with the most diverse decoration styles to create beautiful combinations, adding a rudimentary and elegant touch to the space at the same time.
However, this material must be applied following a specific technique to have a good final result. In this article, we will answer the main questions regarding the topic with a detailed step by step on how to make a burnt cement floor. Follow up.
One of the biggest questions asked by those who want to learn how to make burnt cement floors is about firing. In fact, the burning of the mortar has nothing to do with the use of fire. What we call “burning” is the process of applying cement powder to the already level floor mortar - which must be spread with the puncher over the surface of the dough that is still wet to create the stained finish effect, characteristic of burnt cement.
What materials are needed to make the burnt cement floor?
One of the greatest advantages of burnt cement floors is the use of economic and common materials, which makes it an affordable coating with low investment costs.
Basically, the floor is made with a simple cement mortar, which requires three basic elements for its manufacture: cement, sand and water. Depending on the situation, it may be necessary to increase the mixture with additives to ensure good adhesion of the mass to the base of the existing floor, avoiding the appearance of cracks or cracks after drying.
As additional materials, it is necessary to use a drill to smooth the floor, a saw for expansion joints, and a product to make waterproofing and ensure a finish with good durability for the surface. When choosing the materials to be used, there are still some precautions regarding the desired floor finish.
While normally the preferred finish is the stained gray itself characteristic of burnt cement, it is possible to obtain shades of gray or even add other colors to the mix with the use of pigments. So, you can choose to use only the Portland cement traditional, or make mixtures with white cement and with the pigments available in the market to customize the final tone of your burnt cement floor.
Next, better understand how to use these resources to make a quality burnt cement floor.
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Step by step on how to make burnt cement floors
Despite being a coating produced with simple materials, performing the technique correctly to guarantee a good result may not be as easy as it seems.
There are several steps that must be followed in order for the floor to acquire the desired strength and finish. For beginners, it is recommended to hire a professional who knows how to make burnt cement floors, qualified for the activity and with execution experience to have a quality coating.
Next, check out the step by step on how to make a floor of concrete burned:
Step 1: floor preparation
Before applying the mortar, it is essential that the surface that will receive the burned cement is properly level and clean. Remove furniture from the room and clean the area to remove any loose dirt or dust. If there are stains from oil or other chemicals, you can wash the surface with water and mild soap.
Step 2: preparing the mortar
With the surface ready to receive the mortar, it's time to make the mix. For the burnt cement floor, a cement and sand trace of 1:3 or 1:4 is normally used - that is, a measure of cement for three or four of medium sand. Sift each of the materials individually, and gradually add the water until a homogeneous mixture with the desired texture is obtained.
Step 3: applying the mortar
For the application of the mortar, it is recommended to moisten the floor that will receive the burnt cement for better adhesion. Splash some water on the surface, and pour in the mortar mixture, taking care that the thickness of the layer is neither too thin nor too thick.
Step 4: leveling the mortar
As you apply the mortar to the floor, use the cutter or the aluminum ruler to smooth and level the floor. For this step, a vibrating ruler can also be used, if available.
Step 5: firing the cement
This is the stage that differentiates the technique from how to make a burnt cement floor. While the mortar is still wet, spread dry cement powder over the entire floor surface. Wait for the mixture to absorb the powder and then pass the cutter over the entire length again, making circular movements. This will ensure the characteristic effect of burnt cement after drying.
Step 6: cement curing
Following this step carefully is essential to ensure the strength and durability of the result, avoiding the appearance of cracks and cracks in your burnt cement floor.
The cement takes a few days to dry, and the Healing process it should be slow and always moist. Prevent the sun from hitting the surface directly for the first 72 hours, and maintain the moisture of the mortar by wetting the floor carefully, every 8 or 12 hours, for 5 to 8 days. Then you can let it dry completely and move on to the next steps.
Step 7: expansion joints
A few days after concreting, it is necessary to make the cuts of the expansion joints. These joints allow the cement to have space to carry out its thermal movements, and prevent cracking or displacing the floor - especially on large surfaces. Normally, the joints should be at a distance of up to 4 meters. Demark a 4x4 mesh and make the cuts using a saw.
Step 8: finishing and finishing
After drying the burnt cement and cutting the expansion joints, the floor is now ready for finishing. For a finer finish, you can sand the surface before applying the finisher waterproofing.
It is important to use a product to protect the surface and ensure the durability of your burnt cement floor, and many people use waxes or resins for this purpose. However, be careful with the choice of the product, as it may alter the color of the result, or even stain the cement and damage the floor effect.
Discover BlokSeal Floors
BlokSeal Floors is a water repellent from high performance, developed especially to offer maximum protection to porous floors.
When applied, BlokSeal creates an invisible layer of protection, which prevents seepage of water and does not modify the appearance of the materials, ensuring that the effect of the burnt cement remains intact after its waterproofing.
In addition to protecting your burnt cement floor from water and wetness, BlokSeal Floors helps reduce wear and water retention, as well as dirt accumulation, reducing maintenance costs and promoting more safety, even in high-traffic areas.
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