Your Stained Concrete Professionals

Acid-based chemical stains and water-based acrylics are the two most common types of concrete stains. New or old, plain or integrally colored concrete may be stained using either type of stain. They're especially effective at bringing life to drab, lifeless surfaces. Most stains have good UV stability and wear resistance, making them suitable for use on interior or exterior concrete due to their ability to penetrate the surface. Applications include:

• Walkways and patios

• Family room floors

• Kitchen countertops

• Vertical surfaces like walls or fireplaces

Water, hydrochloric acid, and acid-soluble metallic salts are combined to form most acids stains. They react chemically with hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) in the concrete as they penetrate the surface. The metallic salts penetrate more readily when the acid in the stain lightly etches the surface. When the stain reacts, it becomes part of the concrete and will not fade, chip off, or peel away. Earthy hues, such as tans, browns, terra cottas, and soft blue-greens are commonly used in acid-etch staining palettes.

Consider using water-based stains, which offer a considerably wider range of hues than acid stains, if you want to go beyond the delicate drama and muted earth-toned palette. Hundreds of standard colors, such as black and white, as well as metallic tints, are available from most manufacturers. Water-based stains penetrate the concrete to create permanent color, ranging from transparent to opaque, depending on the brand. They are similar to acid stains in that they are water-based (typically a combination of acrylic polymers and pigments).

Concrete stains are semi-transparent, intended to enhance rather than obscure the surface, and are similar to wood stains. Cracks, blemishes, and other flaws in existing concrete will not be disguised. They will not, however, totally conceal the surface's color or texture. Because any patchwork is likely to show right through the stain, an existing concrete slab with major cracks or spalling is usually not a suitable candidate for staining.