Stained Concrete Floors
Acid staining can make an ordinary concrete floor look like an expensive natural stone floor. Not only is it a fraction of the cost, but it is wonderful for people allergic to carpeting materials. Another great use is in homes with radiant floor heating. Radiant heating is at its most efficient when insulating floor coverings such as 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.
Stain for concrete is not paint or a top coat. Concrete stain is created by a chemical process of hydrochloric acid and inorganic salt reacting with the minerals and lime in the concrete's aggregate. This solution is water-based and when it reacts it causes staining. This works whether the concrete is old or new. It will also endure well if you are sure to finish it with a sealer or wax. Being concrete it doesn't flake, peel or chip off and you can use it anywhere you like, including stairs, driveways, patios, walkways and bathrooms both inside and outside..
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.
Good surface preparation is the most important key to success when staining a concrete floor. The condition of your concrete slab will dictate what you need to do. A new slab only needs three weeks to cure and then a good cleaning. Old floors generally need a lot of work to remove dirt and oil stains, or any sealers that have been used in the past. To be sure you have cleaned enough, try the stain on a small test area first.
Newer poured concrete will need a smaller amount of stain than will older floors, usually one gallon of water per gallon of stain will coat about 400 square feet. Put on the stain with a non-metallic brush or a broom, in the morning or in the evening when the temperature is cooler. Use care to protect yourself from any spills or splatters as well as the fumes from the acid stain, and carefully adhere to the manufacturer's safety warnings. When you are done applying it, sweep up any leftover stain or residue. After the floor is completely dry, you should apply a sealer and then apply a coat of wax.
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 ).
