What Is Concrete Staining and How Does It Work?

The only drawback to concrete floors is the boring gray color. Thankfully, staining concrete is possible and quite attractive. Concrete staining offers a permanent solution that alters the color of the concrete even below the surface. Stained concrete does not even have any additional maintenance requirements.
Indoors or outdoors, in the kitchen or the garage, stains are an excellent style upgrade to consider, in addition to things like concrete polishing Melbourne (or wherever you are), which can really breathe new life into an old concrete floor. They can work on new or old concrete, and you can create custom designs and patterns. There are two different types of stains. Each has different advantages and may be better suited for your project.

–Acid-based stains create a chemical reaction that truly changes the color of the concrete. It’s permanent and cannot be chipped off.
–Water-based stains do not create a chemical reaction. Instead, the stain penetrates the concrete surface and pigments it.

Pros and Cons of Acid-Based Stains

This type of concrete staining has been around far longer than water-based products. Acid stains produce natural color tones that are somewhat muted. Burnt orange and shale blue are common choices. The chemical reaction does not give the concrete a consistent solid color throughout; there are natural irregularities that look a bit like stone colorations. Most people who choose acid-based stains do so because of the look and permanence of the stain.

Some people avoid acid-based stains in order to avoid using the heavy chemicals in their home; serious ventilation will be necessary during a long drying process. The restricted color options and the lack of full control over the final color outcome are also worth noting.

Pros and Cons of Water-Based Stains

Available in virtually any color you can imagine, water-based stains offer a different style and brighter hues. These stains are more natural and less toxic, making them a bit safer to work with and providing an easier time with ventilation while the stain dries. The lack of a chemical reaction also means that the color is more predictable and consistent. In some cases, acid-based stains cannot be used because of previous stains or acid cleaning, and water-based stains are the only option.

The biggest disadvantage of water-based stains is the fact that the pigments work so quickly that spills or errors are very difficult to correct. Also, although the stain is essentially permanent, sealing and cleaning are a bit more demanding with water-based stains compared to acid-based stains.