Tired of looking at a plain concrete floor or patio every day? It may be time to breathe new life into that concrete by staining it. Stained concrete is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners thanks to its elegant appearance, and it may be a great idea for your next home improvement project—as long as you do your research and understand the application process. Luckily, KSI Kitchens has put together a comprehensive step-by-step guide to staining a concrete floor. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Should You Choose Stained Concrete?
Concrete is a great flooring material because it’s incredibly durable and eco-friendly. On top of that, it holds up well against water and heavy wear, making it a good choice for floors that see a lot of foot traffic or are in a flood-prone area. However, plain white or gray concrete isn’t the most visually appealing surface, especially when it’s inside your home. Staining concrete lets you keep all the good, practical qualities of concrete while also allowing you to add one or more colors for an entirely new look.
Can You Stain Concrete Yourself?
It is possible to stain concrete yourself, but it’s not necessarily a good idea—especially if you’ve never done it before. There’s a lot that can go wrong (as you’ll see in the steps below), so it’s best to work with a professional who can show you examples of their previous work staining concrete floors.
What Can You Do to Help with the Staining Process?
You’ll be able to choose the color (or colors) of the stain as well as the stain type. The two primary types of stain you can choose from are acid (which is chemical-based) and acrylic (which is water-based). Acid stain is popular because it does a better job of covering up imperfections. However, some people favor acrylic because it doesn’t involve a chemical reaction, tends to work better in colder environments, and is available in a wider range of colors. Talk to your contractor to learn more about the pros and cons of each type.
What Will a Contractor Do?
The first thing that your contractor should do is clean the concrete surface and identify any imperfections, such as discolored areas or cracks. If the cracks are prominent, your contractor may need to fill them in, and if there are large discolored areas, he or she may talk to you about the best type of stain and color to disguise the imperfections.
Once you’ve chosen your colors and stain type, the contractor will test the stain on a small patch of floor to see how it looks. With your approval, he or she will apply the stain to the entire floor using a mop or roller. Your professional should know how to move the mop or roller in a natural pattern so as not to leave lines or whorls in the stain.
If you’ve chosen an acid stain, the contractor will need to neutralize it by spraying the floor with a mixture of one part ammonia, four parts water. Once the floor dries, he or she will vacuum up any extra water and blot the surface with a wet cloth to remove any prints or splotches.
No matter what type of stain you use, your contractor should seal it to make it more resistant to wear and tear. This involves using a densifier to penetrate the concrete, making the surface less permeable and increasing its abrasion resistance by up to 400%, and applying a stain guard, which will give the floor extra shine and make it stain-resistant.
What Will You Have To Do To Maintain Your Stained Concrete Floor?
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