Staining Concrete - The Benefits
Acid straining can make ordinary concrete floor appear like expensive natural stone floor. Not only is it much cheaper but it is also wonderful for people who are allergic to carpeting materials. One more use is in homes with radiant floor heating. Radiant heating is most efficient when insulating floor coverings like tile or carpet are minimized.
The process of staining a concrete floor is not especially complex, but it can be tricky to get the results you want. Most people would probably do better with hiring a professional contractor. It can be a risky project for the do-it-yourselfer.
Concrete stain is not a paint or a finish coat, it is actually a chemical reaction with the cement. Usually a water-based solution of hydrochloric acid and inorganic salts, the stain will react with the minerals and lime in the concrete aggregate, and the staining reaction results. This will work on old or new concrete, and is quite durable if you complete it with finisher or wax, since it will not flake or chip. This can also be used for interior or exterior floors. It is possible for walkways, bathrooms, entrances, driveways, patios, and living rooms.
When it's finished, stained concrete looks something like marble, but less uniform and more more dappled. The concrete will mostly be earthy brown tones, with a suggestion of red and green. It's possible to make your own custom stain by mixing colors, or applying at dissimilar rates. When you stain a concrete floor, though, don't expect the stain to be an even tone so plan your room decor and color scheme accordingly. Because you'll get varied reactions from different areas of the concrete, even an experienced professional will be hard pressed to predict the exact result.
Surface preparation for acid staining concrete floors is dependent on the condition of your slab. Newly poured concrete only needs is be allowed time for curing: three weeks after pouring and then some rinsing and scrubbing. Older concrete floors are a different story. Thorough cleaning is required because any dirt, grease, paint, sealers or even curing agent will prevent the stain from penetrating and reacting as it should. Do a little test area to be sure it's ready.
Newer poured concrete will require less stain than older floors, but typically, a gallon of water added to one gallon of stain will cover about 400 square feet. Apply the stain with a non-metallic brush or broom, working in the morning or evening hours when it is cooler, rather than in the heat of the day. Be careful to protect yourself from spillage, drips and fumes from the acid stain, and follow all of the manufacturer's precautions. After application, you will need to cleanup by sweeping away any leftover stain and residue with a broom. When the floor is thoroughly dry, it is best to apply a sealer agent and then wax it.
Anyone considering a natural stone floor for a basement or patio remodeling project should look into stained concrete floors as a practical and inexpensive alternative to stone.
When it's finished, Stained Concrete Floors (http://www.Floorstudios.com/concrete_flooring.html) look similar to marble, but less uniform and more more dappled. A great use for stained concrete floors is in homes with Radiant Floor Heating (http://www.Floorstudios.com/Radiant-Floor-Heating.html ).
