What is Colored Concrete Stain?

Colored concrete stain is a special product that can be applied to concrete floors to produce the beautiful look of stone or marble floors. There several different approaches to concrete staining, but the process used by our company, Classic Concrete Staining, is superior and produces the best results. When answering the question, what is colored concrete stain, it is important to consider some of the following points:

• The best colored concrete stain uses acid not paint to color the floors
• Colored concrete stain behaves differently outdoors and in
• Chemicals used in colored concrete stain must be handled carefully

If you would like to discuss specific colored concrete stain options for your home or building, get in touch with us via our Contact Page to learn more about staining concrete.

What You Need to Know About Colored Concrete Stain

The first thing to keep in mind is that, when done properly, acid staining does not involve the use of paint, dyes, or pigment in order to apply color to a concrete surface. The process does not involve merely layering color on top of the existing concrete. If this were to be done, there would be durability problems down the road because that layer of paint or pigment could crack, chip off, or otherwise come undone, leaving you with an ugly looking floor or surface after some time has passed.

It is especially important that floors be properly treated because these are surfaces, which are meant to be walked on and which receive a lot of punishment on a regular basis. Heavy objects or appliances might get dragged across the floor's surface. People could track in mud, dirt, or other substances from outside, and so on. That is why it is vital to make sure that any aesthetic changes you make to the surface can survive this kind of daily grind.

Superior Colored Concrete Stain Uses Acid for a Quality Finish

That is where our acid colored concrete stain comes in. Instead of covering the concrete with a layer of color, the acid reacts chemically with the concrete itself. The substance is actually a mixture of water, salts, and acid, which is applied directly to the concrete surface. Later, after sufficient time has passed for the acid to chemically react with the concrete, the acid is neutralized by applying a solution of water and ammonia to the concrete slab.

The chemical reaction that takes place between the acid and the minerals in the concrete is what gives the surface a richness of color. Here, the color is not just slapped onto the concrete. Instead, it is embedded in the very concrete itself. This chemical reaction is also what gives the final outcome such a unique look. No two slabs of concrete are the same. Hence, no two acid stained concrete floors or surfaces will ever be exactly the same either.

Colored Concrete Stain Works Differently Outdoors

Another thing to consider is that concrete slabs located outside the house or building will tend to color less well or less richly than concrete that is protected from the elements. This is because the minerals found in these outdoor concrete slabs end up getting leached or percolated out by the elements over time. This does not mean that concrete staining unsuitable for outside areas. It is just good to know in advance that the final outcome for external concrete will tend to look different and perhaps less varied than stained indoor concrete.

Chemicals Used in Colored Concrete Stain Must be Handled Well

One more thing to remember is that the acid staining process generally makes use of chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, iron chloride, and sodium bicarbonate. This is another reason why it is best to bring in professionals, such as Classic Concrete Staining, to do the job. We have the equipment and gear needed to ensure that the process will be done smoothly, with the least amount of fuss, and with great care to the surrounding area and people.

Contact Us for a Personalized Quote on Colored Concrete Stained Floors

To get a quote on colored concrete stain for your floor, get in touch with us via our Contact Page. Our experts will evaluate your flooring and help you understand the process involved in staining concrete properly to achieve the best results.