This question comes from Beth in Hawaii:
My boyfriend and I happened to catch your show last night and think everything you're doing to make these green building techniques and tools accessible to people is terrific.
What we're looking for at the moment is your assessment of the best paint to use on concrete. My boyfriend is a builder and also artist who is planning to rip out the tiles in his newly acquired studio and paint the concrete underneath. What paint do you recommend we use? I should add that he has emphysema so it's especially important that we find a nontoxic paint.
Thanks. We'll be tuning in for the rest of the series.
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Non toxic paint for concrete
Hello viewer,
Since concrete is mainly comprised of inorganic compounds, I would recommend you visit your local masonry supply house. There is where you will find all things "non paint". Any paint will contain acrylics and acrylics try to "seal" the surface. With concrete that is bad news because concrete needs to breath. You want an inorganic stain for concrete. You can also look into some old "lime wash" formulas which europeans have been using for years on their stucco surfaces.
Good luck! Tell me how you make out.
"Go Green" ----------------- Aron Buterbaugh Building Green TV Contributor aronb@buildinggreentv.com Meeting House Designs Principal 192 Mussey Street South Portland, Maine 04106 aron@meetinghousedesigns.com
Concrete stain
Aron,
I want a bright yellow color for my concrete floor with a high gloss finish. What stain would you recommend I use so that I don't get that 'olde world' look. I have a very modern house.
Also, if I finish it w/ a gloss am I compromising the breathing of the concrete? Is there any high gloss sealer that had no VOC's & allows breathing?
Thank you. Susan
Concrete floor finish stain for the masses
Hi Susan,
Check out www.seal-once.com. I'm planning on using it on my house soon. As with all concrete which is in it natural state (grey colored), you will have a hard time achieving a bright yellow color due to the undercolor grey. Check with Seal Once and ask if they have a white underlayment you could put down first to "brighten" up the yellow stain you will apply over it!
Good luck and let's see a picture when you are done!
"Go Green"
-----------------
Aron Buterbaugh
Building Green TV Contributor
Meeting House Designs - Principal
192 Mussey Street
South Portland, Maine 04106