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.
While paint can hold light to medium amounts of traffic, it's not as durable as concrete stain specifically because it doesn't bond to the surface in the same way. Concrete stain is a penetrating coloring option that soaks into the surface.
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.
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.
Paints on concrete will eventually peel, as well, whether the surface is indoors or outdoors. If you're determined to paint your concrete to add color, opt for a paint with a urethane resin. Porch paint is the best choice.
A major pro of paints is that they come in many different colors, not just natural tints, so you can completely customize your outdoor flooring. However, know that paints do require reapplication and may peel or flake, especially if the patio is exposed to full sun, precipitation and foot traffic.
You may be surprised at some of the benefits of painting concrete, which include: Concrete is very porous. Sweeping a concrete floor is difficult, since the dust builds up in cracks and crevices. Once you've painted your concrete floor, however, you can get rid of the dust and maintain a pristine environment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Concrete Acid Stains are the only true stains with permanent results.
If you're new to the world of concrete staining, you might be wondering about the difference in cost between acid stains and other options such as concrete paints, epoxies, dyes, etc. Epoxy can range from $2 to $5 per square foot; while concrete paint typically ranges from $1.45 to $3.
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.
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.
Prepare the Concrete Surface
The most important step of how to stain a concrete floor is surface preparation. New concrete should be at least four weeks old. Begin by removing all items from the floor and cleaning the area thoroughly.
Usually this white or off-white discoloration to concrete and masonry forms when soluble salts and other water dispersible materials come to the surface through capillary voids as a result of temperature changes, moist migration, condensation, rain, dew, and/or too much water in the mix.
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.
The concrete must be 28 days old or at least have cured to one uniform color prior to acid staining.
Painting it can keep the material intact and reduce the cleaning you must do. Additionally, it makes it easier to maintain the floor as well. Depending on the color you choose, painting the concrete floor can improve the brightness of the space. It's also an affordable and easy DIY that almost anyone can do.
Yes, you definitely can paint your concrete surface. Painting concrete requires you to follow the proper preparation and application guidelines. Also, choosing the right kind of concrete paint or concrete stain would depend on the surface you're working on.
One of the biggest problems with painting your concrete garage floor is that paint wears off easily. Whether you're parking your car in the garage or just walking around on your floors, that paint will start to chip and flake away. There's a reason we don't paint any of the rest of the floors in our houses.