Slabs with none to minimal cracks, blemishes, and other flaws are ideal for staining. Stains enhance the appearance of the surface; they don't conceal defects. Applying it to flawed concrete will not hide its imperfections, nor will it mask the original color or texture of the surface.
If you're looking for a way to completely cover or erase imperfections in your concrete floors, your best bet is to have an epoxy applied. Epoxy has come a long way over the years.
Cons of Outdoor Concrete Staining
Transparent: The semi-transparency of most stains will fail to hide the existing imperfections in the concrete surface. DIY is not easy: Staining concrete is the not the easiest job for the amateur weekend warrior. Using a professional contractor ensure best results.
The durability of stained concrete
This applies to both interior floors as well as outdoor surfaces, so any concrete floor will benefit from a stained concrete finish that beautifies, seals, and protects against cracking, peeling, chipping, and fading.
To sum it up, most interior projects and all exterior projects choosing between concrete stain or paint are likely better served by a stain solution. Furthermore, horizontal surfaces are best benefited from an acid stain, while vertical surfaces require a professional mineral stain solution.
Depending on the concrete sealer used, it's usually recommended to seal the concrete every couple of years to keep the color from fading. If you choose a high-quality concrete stain and sealer, you may be able to shorten the period between resealing to every 3-5 years.
Durability. Acid-stained concrete doesn't wear out. The surface is inflammable and ultraviolet (UV) light-resistant. Unlike wood staining, when done properly, acid-stained concrete floors don't chip, peel, discolor, or fade.
Although concrete stain is permanent and won't flake off like paint, it penetrates only the top layer of the surface and will eventually wear away as the surface is worn by traffic or weather exposure. You can prevent this wear and prolong the life of your stained concrete by protecting the surface with a clear sealer.
Spread The Love! Concrete floors that are stained and sealed don't just look beautiful but are also very durable. But this does not mean they are invincible. If you don't take good care of them, they can develop scratch marks, become dull, and wear out over time.
When concrete is stained properly, the color won't fade, chip, or peel away. Although it looks beautiful, you can treat stained concrete the same way you treat any other flooring.
No, the vibrancy and color tone in acid stains do not fade. However, the physical top layer of concrete which contains the stain can be worn away through use, which can give the appearance of fading. Stone Surface Specialists can apply a special sealer on your newly-stained concrete to prevent this.
When properly designed and installed, acid-stained concrete and decorative concrete overlays are almost completely unaffected by water. Moisture may and does pass through the concrete and sealer used in acid stained concrete flooring, but as it evaporates, it leaves no lingering effect.
Like any hard, smooth surface, stained concrete can become slippery when wet, especially if it has been coated with a high-gloss sealer. For concrete floors or walkways exposed to moisture or in areas with a lot of foot traffic, there are ways you can increase the slip resistance without affecting the color.
The most popular colors for concrete stains are earth tones including browns, tans, and terra cottas. Gray, green and blue hues are also possible. Color choice ultimately depends on the desired appearance for the project.
Acid Staining
Acid stains are a reactive coloring process that penetrates into the porous concrete surface. This is probably the most permanent of all coloring options but is usually limited to eight colors.
You can use concrete paint, concrete stain or even add a small, new pour of decorative concrete around your existing patio to create a border. A border creates a definitive edge to your patio while adding color, pattern and interest.
Concrete must be porous enough to accept water. Dense concrete surfaces may require mechanical preparation to accept acid stain. If the stain beads up on top of the concrete, you'll need to sand the concrete to ensure the stain will soak in properly.
While epoxy covers concrete, a stain simply changes its appearance. Staining is best when you want to give your concrete a new look, but preserve its natural appearance. Keep in mind there may be more maintenance involved with concrete staining, as the surface is still porous.
Your existing old concrete should be fine to stain, so long as it is not contaminated with glue, paint, oil, grease, sealers, waxes, or anything else that would prevent the stain from soaking into the pores of the concrete.
Two coats are usually sufficient. Before resuming traffic on the surface, be sure the stain has dried for the manufacturer-recommended time. On exterior surfaces, you can apply a solvent-based, solid-color concrete sealer.
Affordability. Applying an epoxy floor coating will cost between $3 and $10 per square foot, which is quite affordable than the $5- $12 price tag that a high-end concrete staining will cost you.
Apply the stain when air and surface temperatures are between 50-90 degrees F. Since concrete varies in texture and porosity, 2 coats may be required for uniform appearance.
You could save more than 50% on flooring costs by choosing stained concrete over tile flooring.
Our top pick, BEHR PREMIUM Wet Look Concrete Sealer, can be used on multiple surfaces indoors and outdoors. It is also easy to clean and apply. Rust-Oleum Moisture Stop Fortifying Sealer is an excellent budget-friendly option that can be applied quickly and creates a waterproof barrier that protects your concrete.