Stains are effective in restoring glaze to dull, shabby concrete surfaces. 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.
Few materials have the longevity of concrete. And because stains permeate the concrete to infuse it with permanent color, a stained concrete floor or pavement should last a lifetime when properly maintained (see How to Protect and Maintain Stained Concrete .
However, bear in mind that concrete paint will obscure concrete's natural texture and isn't suitable for concrete that takes a beating, such as a concrete floor. For almost all exterior applications, concrete stain is the superior solution.
Coloring your concrete can increase the aesthetic value of your property. It does not impact the durability of your concrete and if used on interior concrete, it can always be covered by an alternative flooring option. Cons: Every concrete floor takes the acid stain differently.
For outstanding results, it comes down to the type and quality of the product, any unique characteristics, the location of the transformed area, and the application process. With all the right choices, the color will remain gorgeous for 10 to 15 years or more.
“(The appearance of) fading in integrally colored concrete may be the result of weather, traffic, moisture and efflorescence, individually or in any combination,” Sullivan says. Most homeowners and even some contractors don't understand that iron oxide pigments in concrete don't break down or fade, Roman says.
An attractive and expertly finished garage floor can greatly improve the aesthetics of your home's interior and add to the overall appeal. It not only increases the functionality of your property but also maximizes the resale value when you decide to sell your home someday down the road.
Stained concrete can be an excellent choice for your residential house. Due to light foot traffic experienced in residential stained floors, a simple cleaning may renew their fresh look for many years.
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.
Unlike paint, stains don't chip or peel. Give your dull and worn-out concrete a lustrous look by applying a concrete stain that will both complement the look of your house and protect the integrity of the surface.
Stained concrete costs roughly $2 to $14 per square foot, while hardwood floors cost between $6 to $25 per square foot. Stained concrete is about half the cost of hardwood flooring.
The concrete must be 28 days old or at least have cured to one uniform color prior to acid staining.
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.
Some manufacturers have developed special stains, toppings and integral colors designed to help reduce surface temperature. Branum points out that proper maintenance can also help keep surfaces cool. Keeping concrete clean and sealed helps it achieve peak reflectivity.
When properly designed and installed, acid-stained concrete and decorative concrete overlays are almost completely unaffected by water.
Epoxy covering is an excellent choice if you need to cover up damage; thus, many commercial work environments opt for epoxy. If you want to improve the look and texture of a concrete surface, stain it to look like natural stone, and achieve a solid, long-lasting color.
Clean the concrete with a solution of Concrete Cleaner & Degreaser and water. Observe after cleaning whether water is beading up over any oil spill area. If there is no indication of a spill that needs attention, rinse the concrete thoroughly, allow it to dry, and proceed with staining.
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.
Staining and sealing these concrete structures make them even tougher and good looking. But this doesn't mean they cannot be damaged. A sliding chair, moving stuff around, a rolling vacuum, accidents, improper maintenance practices, and even normal daily use can cause scuffs and scratches to stained concrete.
In fact, stained concrete floors cost less than most traditional flooring types and come with numerous bonus benefits. For example, concrete stained floors are eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and extremely durable.
The most popular finish is clear, but concrete stain colors include white, brown and gray. You can also purchase a tintable base to match dozens of popular hues. Concrete stain can be used on patios, walkways and pool decks. It can even be used inside for mudrooms, laundry rooms or basements.
Colored concrete will get good and hard just like normal concrete. However, all concrete benefits from being sealed against stains and water damage. So even though it's not necessary, sealing your colored concrete will make it look good longer and will help prevent dusting of the surface.
Coloring Concrete With Water Based Paints
Acrylic paint can be a cheap way to color concrete crafts. The same goes for using latex paint for coloring concrete. I made these DIY Concrete Pillar Candleholders using white cement mix and the green was acrylic paint.