Acid based concrete stains are becoming increasingly popular for coloring concrete surfaces. They chemically react with the cementitious material to produce permanent color with variegated or mottled appearance like that of marble. This results in a natural, elegant looking surface. Acid stains are available in 8-10 different colors, mainly brown, green, and reddish earth tones. The cost is normally $60-$70 per gallon which covers 300-400 square feet. A coat of clear concrete sealer when you are done brings out the colors and beauty of acid stains.
Water based concrete stains are an alternative to acid stains and are much more user friendly because they are much less toxic. These stains don’t chemically react with the concrete; they are absorbed in to the surface pores and act like a dye. The sizable advantage of water based stains is the wide array of colors available.
If you need to venture beyond the basic staining of concrete, think about using some scoring techniques to generate patterns on the surface. You can make your concrete look like a tile floor for example. It is up to your imagination. An angle grinder with a 4 inch grinding or cutting wheel is the ideal device for this. The important thing to recall when scoring is to draw the pattern on the concrete first and make sure you are satisfied with the way it looks because scoring is irreversible. Most people don’t own an angle grinder but you can rent three at any device rental shop.
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