Getting Started With Staining Concrete Floors
Concrete Stains have become the new material of choice for residential and commercial spaces
. They are popping up everywhere in retail stores, restaurants, offices, and commercial outlets with numerous options for interior rooms including limitless design, colors and health benefits. Depending on the color and the applications used in staining concrete floors, the results can emulate everything from lustrous marble polishing to tanned lather to natural stone.
It's important to note that, no two concrete floors, will look alike due to the variations in the composition and age of the concrete, surface, texture and other conditions. Some stain manufacturers use adjective such as variability, rather than uniformity, that give stain concrete floors its wide appeal and allow an array of special effects.
How does Concrete Stain Work?
There are two categories of concrete stains- reactive and nonreactive. In the first reactive category are water-based acidic solutions containing metallic salts that react with the lime content in concrete. Once the chemical reaction takes place, staining concrete floors fix a permanent bond with the concrete and won't peel away.
In the second category of concrete stains are water-based acrylic stains that don't rely on a chemical reaction to impart color. Instead, they are devised to penetrate the concrete surface and deposit their particles in the open pores. Non reactive stains have increasingly become popular over the past few years because they come in a huge variety of colors and are easier to apply. However, they might not produce the same translucent color tones characteristic of acid stains. The color effects tend to be uniform.
Can My Concrete Be Stained?
Both the categories of concrete stains can be applied to new or dull and plain or integrally colored concrete. The most important thing to consider is the condition of the surface.
Concrete, is the wonderful canvas for stains because it's permeable. But if the surface is roofed by coatings, curing membranes, grime, glues or sealers that inhibit the stain from soaking in, the stain won't be able to infiltrate completely. A simple test you can conduct for porosity is to sprinkle the concrete surface with water. If its beads up and can't penetrate, neither will be the stain.
On a new concrete, stain concrete floors manufacturers advise letting the concrete cure for at least a month. On existing concrete, it's to keep in mind that stains are meant to enhance rather than disguise the surface. They will uncover cracks, blemishes, discoloration, or other flaws in concrete. Hence, an aged or rustic concrete, or a concrete with major cracks is not appropriate for staining because any patchwork is likely to show right through the stain. The mantra is to cover the existing concrete with a thin cement-based overlay to create a fresh new picture to work on.
When evaluating the cost of stained concrete with alternative flooring materials, don't forget to factor in endurance, beauty and staining concrete floors replacement costs. Properly sealed and maintained stained concrete will last for decades and seldom needs replacement. It's invulnerable to water damage, tearing, and gouging. Even if the stained surface wears after time, it can be brought back to life with some touch up staining and reapplication.
by: Jorge Ramos
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