Burnt cement

Materials needed

Prepare a mortar in the following proportion, using 18-liter cans as measure units:

• 1 can of cement (25 kg);
• 3 cans of sand.

Note: this quantity is for a 2, 5 cm wide cemented floor with yielding of 4 m2 per 50kg cement package. (Picture 1)

1st Phase: Preparation of the floor

Step 1: prepare a dry mixture with the cement and the sand. (Picture 2)

Step 2: Then add water little by little until it forms a flour-like humid mortar. (Pictures 3 and 4) To know the ideal consistency, take a sample of this mortar in your hand and squeeze it. It must not crumble or release water when squeezed. (Picture 5)

Step 3: Before applying the mass on the counterfloor, place the wood or plastic dilatation joints forming squares with the sides 1.5 meter long. The joints are to minimize the occurrence of cracks and fissures on the floor.

Step 4: Spread the mass over the area with a trowel and level with an aluminum ruler. (Picture 6)

Step 5: Then smoothen the coating surface with a wooden evener (Picture 7)

NOTE: Make sure to leave the floor as leveled and compacted as possible, in order to prevent potential irregularities.

Air bubbles may appear when the floor is too humid. In this case, the painter may wait a few minutes until the excess of humidity of the counterfloor. For obtaining excellent results with burnt cement, ensure that the floor is well prepared and that the service is performed by specialized professionals.

 

2nd Phase: Floor Burn

Note: One 50 kg cement package yields about 2 cans with 18 liters each. If you want to obtain lighter colors, use structural white cement and reduce the quantity of Pó Xadrez.

Step 1: Prepare a dry mixture utilizing 1, 5 kg of Pó Xadrez in the desired color for each 18-liter can of cement. (Pictures 1 and 2)

Step 2: mix it well until you obtain a totally even color. (Picture 3)

Step 3: sieve the powder mixture pressing it with your hands, until the lumps are removed. (Picture 4)

Step 4: spread the sift mixture over the floor still wet, until a perfectly even layer is formed. (Picture 5)

Wait a few minutes for the humidity of the floor to absorb the mixture. You will notice that the color will get a little darker while the floor is still wet.

Step 5: Softly smoothen the surface with an iron evener. Make movements always in the same direction in order to prevent possible air bubbles and spots. (Pictures 6 and 7)

Wait at least 48 hours for the floor with burnt cement to be totally dry.

Step 6: Rub the floor with an abrasive paper to remove the evener's imprints and make the surface even.

Yielding: 1 package of cement (50 kg) yields about 30 m2 and a thickness of 1 to 1,5 mm.

 

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Tips

For adding waterproof protection and enhancing shine, apply acrylic resin on the solvent base, following the instructions for use provided by the manufacturer of the resin. (Be careful with the places of application, for some waterproofers may make the floor too slippery).

You can also use colorless paste wax instead of acrylic resin. For creating a protective film, various layers must be applied.