• Concrete floors should be protected with masonry sealer regularly to avoid damage.concrete image by Empath from Fotolia.com
  
  Concrete floors, once found only in spaces such as garages and sheds where a durable surface was required, have been making a move indoors. With new, smoother formulations, concrete can be nearly as smooth as marble or granite and is now available in an array of colors. The only drawback of concrete floors is that they can require maintenance that others do not, including refinishing.
  
  

Grinding

• Grinding concrete floors is useful for removing surface stains, leveling a floor that was poorly cured and smoothing a rough or undesirable finish. Because of its use as a multi-purpose solution, this is often the first and last stop for homeowners who want to change the appearance of their concrete floors. Concrete grinders can be rented from many building suppliers and are available in different sizes to suit your specific floor. Try to use a variety of grinding disc grades for the most desirable results.
  
  

Staining

• Concrete stains are colors available in liquid form so they may be applied directly over the surface of old concrete or concrete that is new but has been fully cured. They differ from liquid concrete pigments, which are added during the concrete mixing process. For this reason stains are also more high-maintenance; if the concrete is chipped or broken, the uncolored masonry will show, since only the topmost layers absorb the color. However, stain is useful for updating the look of concrete floors, and darker color choices may also cover dirt and undesirable stains, such as oil.
  
  

Painting

• Painting may be the simplest way to refinish a concrete floor but it also requires the most upkeep in years to come. Paint peels and chips fairly easily from the surface of concrete, so the floor will require a new layer of topcoat at least once a year. Paint can offer more options than many other finishes, being available in a full spectrum of colors. However, concrete requires cleaning and preparation before this method of refinishing. When determining whether you should paint your concrete, or add any other finish, weigh the pros and cons.