What can be done to make a concrete floor look like wood?

Everyone loves the look of hardwood, but that floor isn’t always the best fit for the situation. It’s more expensive than many other options, it’s high maintenance, and even the toughest hardwood floors aren’t immune to scratches, chips, and water damage.

Despite the existence of several different types of faux flooring – ranging from laminate to wood-like tiles – concrete floors are perhaps the most durable. For those who have not yet learned about concrete floors, know that they are very efficient!

For this reason, we offer you all the necessary information about concrete floors that look like wood below: the methods used to make them, how to add wood floor patterns on concrete, the cost, and more. After reading these lines, we hope you think concrete floors are as cool as we are!
Why use a concrete floor that looks like wood?

Indeed, concrete is a material made of sand and gravel bound by cement.

A wood-like concrete floor is more durable than real wood.
The reason concrete is found outdoors and in spaces such as garages and basements is no coincidence: it is very strong! Also, concrete is much more resistant to water and other types of damage than any other type of flooring. Even though chips and cracks can form, concrete can be repaired very easily.

For cleaning concrete, all you need is a little water and a mild detergent, as for cleaning tiles.
Make a concrete floor look like wood

Which method you choose depends on your needs, your budget, and your ability to do the job yourself or opt for professional installation.
Techniques for coloring existing concrete

For a simple do-it-yourself flooring solution, painting and staining the existing concrete is a great option. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube that can achieve the look of wood with just a few household tools.

In general, the process involves carefully preparing the concrete (using detergents or a pressure washer), drawing lines that resemble planks of wood, and applying colors and brushstrokes to mimic the natural variations and textures found in all types of flooring.

While this method results in a concrete floor that looks like wood, it also provides a fairly even surface. If you look for a comparison between tile and parquet, you will understand that it is good for some, but bad for others. The choice is yours!
Apply texturing techniques to new or existing concrete

For some homeowners, the look and feel of real wood is just as important. Indeed, when it comes to parquet alternatives, greater texture is often greater realism.

To achieve this effect, sanding tools can be used to mimic the natural grooves and spacing of hardwood planks. There are other texturing methods, such as adding a layer of wet concrete over the existing floor and creating a wood pattern with brooms and trowels before painting and staining.
What is the real cost of a concrete floor that looks like wood?

Let’s consider the factors that determine the cost of a wood-look concrete floor so you can decide if this is the right choice for you.

First of all, you have to consider the amount of raw material needed. Normal cast-in-place concrete usually costs between $3 and $6 per square meter. If you’re starting with existing concrete, you still need to know the square footage to determine how much paint, stain, or sealant to apply.

You’ll also need to decide whether you’re going for professional installation or a DIY project. If the project is not a DIY job, you need to consider the cost of installation. The cost of a regular concrete installation is usually between $2 and $6 per square foot. However, if you decide to take on the challenge yourself, you will need to calculate the cost of buying or renting any additional tools needed for the project.

The choice of technique to achieve a concrete floor that looks like wood also has an impact on the cost. Professional stamping, grooving and faux finishing are things that can increase the cost of poured-in-place concrete installation. But he is good and cheaper than many other types of flooring!