Stained Concrete is a great material to work with. Durable, strong, and aesthetically pleasing it has so many advantages over other flooring types. One option for concrete that you may not have known about is stained concrete. Here are some facts about stained concrete, what it looks like, how much it costs, and why it might be the right choice for your next project.
Stained Concrete Facts & Figures
- – The process of staining concrete changes the color of the slab from the original gray color to a variety of other colors. Depending on the process used you can achieve almost any color imaginable as well as metallics and marbling effects – Stained concrete will wear better than traditional stamped or acid-stained finishes because there is very little color in the concrete itself – Stained concrete can be used for interior or exterior purposes, including driveways, patios, sidewalks, ramps, pools, and even your floors.
- – Concrete staining is a great way to achieve a unique look that can’t be found elsewhere. Other flooring types don’t have this ability to change colors while still being durable enough for harsh conditions.
- – Because it is so tough there are very few other materials that can cause problems with stained concrete. That means less chance of sand or aggregate working its way up under the finish to become an issue later on down the road.
- – There are multiple kinds of processes available which each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Two common ones are single-stage and two-stage. Between the two of them will decide whether or not you get metallic, marble, or solid color effects.
- – A single-stage process involves only one application of dyes and the concrete is left in its original state with no protection against staining. It can’t support much weight either. It does have a nice matte finish though which isn’t found often in other stone finishes like granite or natural stone.
- – Two-stage processes involve applying dye to the concrete and then finishing it off with a clear topcoat that locks in the color and protects it from liquids and salt damage for example. With these types of processes, you can use intense colors without worrying about things like rusting through your floor due to saltwater exposure for example.
- – These processes can also affect the way each finish wears. Single-stage finishes will often show footprints and other marks more visibly than two-stage finished stained concrete floors which aren’t as susceptible to scratches and scuffs.
- – The costs for these projects go up depending on what kind of process, color, and size you choose. Smaller projects like driveways or patios tend to be cheaper but if you’re looking at doing a larger area like an entire home it’s going to cost you a pretty penny. Expect to spend upwards of $1 per square foot of material installed on average for most jobs.