Building my first and hopefully last home: need ideas for brick and stained floors

You’re going with stained concrete?

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Having a hard time with picking out a brick a common them I like is white mortar and messy/smear look

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White mortar costs more just FYI. The messy/smear look might as well, and I've seen more jobs that looked bad then good.

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As far as floor color I like the darker copper colors or greys but I’m afraid they will show dirt?

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Dark is going to show everything. I've built 2 homes, both with dark floors. My 3rd will not have dark floors. Also are you familiar with stained concrete? It's really hard on your feet. But it can always be covered up later if you don't like it. Oh and make sure your GC knows up front your plans. They'll want to cover the floor with something during construction, otherwise some of the stuff that will get on the concrete will stain and be a real PITA to deal with when finishing.

I’d skip the stained concrete. You’re going to have to reseal it every 5 years for it to look good. It’ll also wear unevenly in the high traffic areas.

Look at sandstruck brick. It will have a sort of whitewashed appearance that might appeal to you if you like the white look

Whatever you do, do not go with super dark floors. You’ll forever have dirty floors. It literally shows everything.

Most people I know who have stained concrete regret it. The finish wears down on it, its cold & hard, and if you have young kids...its very unforgiving when they fall.

I know you said its for cost reasons but it will be more cost effective to do it now as opposed to later.

We went with carpet in bedrooms, tile in bathrooms/laundry, and vinyl plank (waterproof and long warranty) in the living areas. Couldn't be happier.

Sacked is the right term. We had them sack our front porch and porch steps. Really happy with it.

I'm going against the other recommendations here, but we've been in our house for two years now. Stained concrete throughout and no complaints. We also have children ranging from 3 to 10 years old. IMO, it's no worries hassle free flooring. Spill something on it, so what, it's concrete, wipe it up.

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Go with mexican tile

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No way, fugle as crap after a year or two with kids.

Agreed. Been in our house for over 7 years with stained and scored concrete floors. It's a little cold but we got used to that real quick. Super easy to keep up when our little ones spill something, and our score lines are maybe 1/16" deep so they don't trap dust. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Saved a ton and we can cover it up later on if we want to.