What Is Stained Concrete?
By: Tom "The DIY Guy" WesleyIf you are looking for a way to give new life to your dull concrete, consider trying a technique called concrete staining. Stained concrete is quickly becoming the #1 way to improve the look of interior concrete, or exterior concrete such as driveways, sidewalks, and patios. Stained concrete floors are beautiful and incredibly easy to maintain. This makes stained concrete the perfect way to enhance the look of any floor in your home, or at your business.
The term “stained concrete” is a bit misleading, because it is quite different than a wood stain. It is not something you “paint” on the concrete to add a layer of color. The stain is actually a mild acid mixed with metallic salts. When applied to concrete the acid stain reacts with the minerals on your floor, causing a chemical reaction. The salts in the mixture determine what the final product will look like, and many stained concrete floors end up looking like beautiful stone or marble.
One of the most interesting aspects of stained concrete flooring is that each floor will produce a unique result. Every concrete floor has a unique mineral composition, and will react differently to the acid stain. This means that every stained concrete floor will be its own unique work of art. The concrete stain manufactures will provide a chart for colors, but you will want to test them out in a small area, so you will know exactly how it will turn out.
Staining concrete is very affordable if you do it yourself. You should be able to complete your project for less than $.50 per sq/ft. Not only will this project cost you little money, but just about anyone should be able to complete the project working only a few hours a day for one weekend. In our step-by-step guide on how to stain concrete floors we provide a check list of all the materials you will need to complete your diy concrete staining project.
No matter if you have a huge show room floor or just a small bathroom, stained concrete is a simple, affordable, and great looking way to improve your boring concrete floors.