Hi goliadcowgirl, I've had acid etched concrete floors in two of my own homes, and installed it for several clients over the past decade. I love them, but there are a few things to consider:
1. For existing floors with tile, the grout lines usually "telegraph" through the stain, or clear coat. Grinding doesn't get rid of this unless you remove a LOT of material, which is impractical for a few reasons. The easiest solution is to add an acrylic overlay (1/16" - 1/8" approx thickness) which looks just like concrete, but hides the telegraphing. You can also use the overlay to minimize the effect of large cracks, and add a slight texture which increases traction.
2. If you're blending old concrete with new, its going to look very different. This CAN look great, but you won't really know until you start finishing it. (Adding the acrylic overlay, will blend the two nicely however).
3. All concrete cracks, so you'll need to live with that, even though the cracks will/can be filled. I love the natural look concrete has, but if you're hoping for perfect, you will be disappointed.
4. You'll have to wait at least a month for your new concrete to cure enough before you can finish it. PH testing and/or plastic sheet testing will help to ensure its ready to finish
5. Your concrete finish "sheen" will affect its durability and slip factor. The shinier the finish the more slippery it will be, but the more durable and easier it is to clean.
6. One of the best features of concrete floors is that you can create a very wide range of looks, and a very unique look. The finish will need to be periodically re-coated, in a similar way to finished-in-place hardwood floors.
Hope this helps
Steve
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Back yard or front yard
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