Stained concrete appeals to many people who want to achieve unique decorative effects for a reasonable cost. Concrete stain does more than simply add color. Rather than produce a solid, opaque effect like paint or colored coatings, stains permeate the concrete to infuse it with rich, deep, translucent tones.
Stained concrete is the most common type of concrete floor, but can all concrete be stained? Both acid and water-based stains can be applied to new or old and plain or integrally colored concrete. They can also be used both indoors and out, on everything from concrete floors and kitchen counter tops to pool decks and driveways.
If you want to go beyond the subtle drama and subdued color palette of acid staining, water-based acrylic stains will give you a wider spectrum of hues to choose from. Elite Epoxy Floors offers dozens of standard colors, including black and white and even metallic tints. In many cases, the different colors can be mixed, like water-based paints, to broaden your options and make your stained concrete to your liking.
Some special effects are possible with stained concrete. Depending on the color and application techniques used, stained concrete can be made to mimic everything from polished marble to tanned leather to natural stone. Your stained concrete floor can match up with the inside décor or outside of your home for that one-of-a-kind effect.
Acid-based concrete stains are made up of inorganic metallic salts dissolved in an acid and water solution. They penetrate into the surface and react chemically with the concrete to form a permanent bond. The color they impart is translucent rather than opaque, resulting in deep, rich tones and attractive marbling effects.
Non-reactive water-based stains (typically a blend of acrylic polymers and pigments) fill the pores of the concrete surface to produce a colored film or coating, ranging from translucent to opaque depending on the product.
The key difference is that no chemical reaction takes place, so the color is more consistent. Most of these products are also low in volatile organic compounds and safer to apply because they are free of solvents and acids.
Because stains penetrate into the concrete surface, their color is durable and long-lasting. When applied to properly prepared concrete, the color will not fade, chip, or peel away.
For information about other services Elite Epoxy Flooring offers, read about more traditional concrete sealing or polished concrete.
For more information about stained concrete, call Elite Epoxy Floors for a free estimate at (816) 729-7143.