Contemporary design always looks forward, without forgetting the past. In furniture choices, the most striking example is the industrial style, which, as the name suggests, has introduced elements from the industrial world that blend perfectly with other vintage-style objects. Speaking of surfaces, the perfect synthesis of industrial and vintage lives again in the acidified flooring. What is it?
What is the acidified floor?
Acidified concrete floors are now a big trend in the United States and Northern Europe.
The acidified floor is obtained by spraying a special water-based concrete acid dye on an existing concrete floor, which chemically changes its color. These acids are based on metallic salts and quickly penetrate the floor, creating special and fascinating color effects. The final aesthetic result is exceptional: mixed shades and tones of light and dark that bring floors to life, giving them an intriguing vintage look (reminiscent of aged concrete with the classic time-worn patina).
Acidified concrete is ideal for making modern interior floors. Not surprisingly, Isoplam® technicians have adopted it in the most disparate environments: shops, showrooms, restaurants, discos, and many other places.
To spark your imagination, take a look at our creations.
Isoplam® offers you the possibility to create an acidified concrete floor also in your own spaces, thanks to its Deco Acidificato. Choosing this type of flooring means giving your home a truly unique touch. In fact, each new application will produce a surface with shades and effects that will not be repeatable with other coloring materials.
Deco Acidificato by Isoplam® is available in different colors to fulfill all your wishes:
The advantages of an acidified floor
The advantages of acidified concrete do not stop at its aesthetics.
Despite its vintage charm that makes it very popular among designers and architects, the acid finish floor also stands out for its important mechanical qualities.
Unlike other concrete floors coated with acrylic dyes or other types of resins, acidified concrete floors do not run the risk of deteriorating over time. Eventually, the resins and dyes may be subject to fading, cracking, or peeling. Instead, in an acid finish floor, thanks to the chemical reaction generated, the acids based on metallic salts become one with concrete.
Another plus point is the low thickness of the coating. The acidified flooring can be as thin as 3 millimeters, which makes it ideal for covering even pre-existing surfaces. This possibility also guarantees considerable cost savings.
Covering an old floor saves expensive demolition costs.
Staying on the economic aspect, one of the most frequently asked questions is: "What is the cost of acidified flooring?".
Undoubtedly, the price varies depending on the square footage and the work required to lay such flooring. However, we can say that the cost of an acidified floor is certainly cheaper than that of classic tile surfaces.
We have previously pointed out that the acidified floor is used in large commercial spaces, such as showrooms and restaurants. In addition to the great aesthetic impact, the choice is also due to the wear resistance of this material. In fact, it is ideal for those floors subject to continuous trampling.
Finally, a further reason to have modern interior floors in acidified concrete is its ease of cleaning. All it takes is a cloth with soap and water to make it as good as new! In addition, the acidified floor, like all concrete floors, has no joints. This aspect limits the deposit of annoying dust, but above all the proliferation of microbes and bacteria.
Making an acidified floor with the Isoplam® method
How is an acidified concrete floor made? Here, step by step, all the steps necessary to personalize your home with the charm and elegance of vintage.
- Formwork and installation of the electro-welded mesh. The first concerns the construction of the structures in which the concrete will be poured to create the screed, while the mesh serves to give rigidity to the latter and protect it from stress;
- Laying of concrete with COLDPAV or HOTPAV and with PLAM FIBRE ISOPLAM®. The first two are additives used to improve the quality of concrete by making laying, leveling, and smoothing easier. PLAM FIBRE ISOPLAM® are 100% virgin polypropylene synthetic fibers that drastically reduce the formation of plastic shrinkage cracks in concrete.
- Application of DECO NUVOLATO ISOPLAM®, using trowel machines and smoothing the floor. It acts directly on the mortar: through the movement of the trowel machines, the coarser aggregates are pushed in depth. The operation allows leveling the surface, giving it all the mechanical and aesthetic characteristics of the acidified floor.
- After 20-30 days, wash with special detergent PLAM APRIPORI ISOPLAM® and application of PLAM ACID ISOPLAM® in one or more coats. The cleaning agent has the function of opening the pores of the concrete, preparing it for treatment with acids that will activate the chemical reaction observed in the previous paragraphs.
- After a new washing of the surface, application of PLAM DENSIFIER and then a layer of METALLIC WAX ISOPLAM®. They are both two protective products. The densifier has the task of hardening the flooring, while the Metallic Wax is a self-polishing wax that makes the surface shiny.
The acidified floor by Isoplam® is therefore one of the best solutions to revolutionize the design of your home or business. If you need additional information on acidified concrete floors or other Isoplam® products, send us a message directly through our website.
We will contact you as soon as possible to surprise you with one of our concrete creations!
