Concrete stains are known for their translucent color and one-of-a-kind patterning. Because of concrete’s porous qualities, they penetrate and react chemically with the cement, adding permanent color that won’t fade, chip, or peel.
For years, stained concrete contractors have used acid stains to achieve rich, earth-toned color schemes resembling natural stone, marble, wood, or even leather. But today, products such as water-based stains and concrete dyes are expanding the artist’s palette with colors ranging from soft pastels to vivid reds, oranges, yellows, and purples. And in some cases, these newer coloring products are easier and safer to apply.
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Popular topics on this page:Outdoor Concrete StainInterior Concrete StainConcrete Stain vs. Paint & Dye
Staining is the most affordable and quickest way to transform exterior concrete. In just a couple of days you can take a boring gray slab and transform it into a beautiful stained concrete patio, driveway or pool deck. Typically, acid stains are a more durable choice for exterior concrete stain projects than water-based formulas. However, water-based stains will do fine outside if re-sealed frequently. Ultimately, choosing the best outdoor concrete stain comes down to the desired color and look.
Stained concrete floors make beautiful additions to the interiors of homes and businesses alike. When selecting an interior concrete stain keep in mind that acid-based stains are good for high traffic floors due to their longevity, while water-based stains are easier to apply, require less cleanup and aren’t as toxic. Acid stained concrete floors have an old-world mottled look that blends well with stone and wood and helps bring a timeless appeal to your indoor spaces. Concrete floors colored with water-based stains will have more vivid, consistent coloring suitable to more modern interior designs.
Stains penetrate the surface of the concrete creating long-lasting color that won’t chip, peel or fade. Commonly available in earth tones, stains impart rich, translucent, variegated color to indoor or outdoor concrete. Imperfections or stains on the concrete often show through, even after multiple coats of stain are applied. Many see this as part of the rustic charm of concrete stains.
Tip: Choose stains if you enjoy a natural look and want something that will last for years.
Concrete paint coats the surface, creating a layer of color that will eventually wear away. Paint is much more susceptible to peeling, chipping and fading. Unlike stains, paint imparts solid and consistent color. Paint can be used indoors or outdoors.
Tip: Choose paint if your concrete is badly stained and you’d like to cover the imperfections.
Concrete dyes offer vibrant color choices such as yellow, blue and purple. They are often used in conjunction with stains to further enhance the final color. Like stains, dyes impart transparent color, but they dry quicker than stains and do not require as much cleanup. Dyes are popular for adding color to polished concrete, but aren’t used often outdoors because they aren’t UV stable.
Tip: Choose dyes if you want vibrant color and are looking for a fast turnaround.
Whether new or old, concrete of any age can be stained. The concrete staining process will vary depending on the type of stain used, whether it’s being applied indoors or outdoors, and the effect you desire. Always follow the specific instructions provided with the stain you are using.
Generally, there are four important steps when staining concrete:
Learning how to stain concrete is easy if you are a professional who’s already familiar with concrete, if you are a DIY homeowner, it will be more challenging, but not impossible. Make sure you thoroughly understand the process before attempting to stain concrete or else you may end up with disappointing results.
The sky is the limit when it comes to concrete stain colors. Acid stains offer a variety of variegated earth tones, while water-based stains offer a broader range of hues, including black, white, yellow and orange. Additionally, many experienced concrete stain applicators will blend colors to create custom shades.
The most popular concrete stain colors are:
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Many contractors also use sawcuts to create unique patterns on concrete floors or patios that can then be stained multiple colors. The cuts prevent the stains from bleeding into one another and mixing. Stencils made for use on concrete can also be used for creating impressive designs with concrete stains.
Acid stains work by chemically reacting with the concrete to change its color and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Use an acid stain if you want:
The primary benefit of acid stains is that once the reaction is complete the color is permanent and won’t fade, chip off, or peel away. Acid stains are translucent and produce a unique look every time depending on the condition of the concrete. The colors are limited primarily to earth tones and the acid in the stain must be neutralized to stop the reaction.
Tips for applying an acid stain to concrete:
Learn more: Tips for Choosing the Right Stain for Your Project
Water-based concrete stains are a newer, non-reactive option for staining concrete. Like acid stains they are UV stable and can be used indoors and outdoors, but unlike acid stains they offer a full spectrum of colors with longer working times.
Use water-based stains if:
Additionally, water-based stains impart a more consistent color (as opposed to the strong variegation of acids stains). Many staining pros like using water-based stains because they are safer to apply, have faster drying times, are low in VOCs, and save time and labor. Most non-reactive stains call for acid washing to open and prepare the concrete surface to ensure good adhesion.
Water-based concrete stains come in the following options:
Stain manufacturers are always looking to improve their products. As a result, you can find a variety of specialty stains, including:
Whether you’re looking to save money or avoid toxins, you may be wondering how to make your own concrete stain. We’ve seen concrete stained with any of the following:
But keep in mind, that the results are more consistent when using a professionally developed product like those featured here.
The concrete stains with the best reviews tend to be professional grade, not the type you can buy at your local hardware store. Professional grade stains can be ordered online through specialized companies, or purchased at your local concrete supply store.
Top reasons for a good concrete stain review:
New concrete can be stained after it has had time to fully cure. This will vary depending on the circumstances, but average curing time is 28 days. Warmer temperatures and stiffer concrete mix can lead to faster cure times, while cooler temperatures and a wetter mix can delay the process. Some stain manufacturers suggest waiting until the concrete is all one uniform color.
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Here are tips for pouring and finishing new concrete that will be stained:
Knowing some tricks of the trade is always helpful when starting a concrete staining project. Make sure to read the instructions that come with the stain you are using before getting started.
When staining concrete consider the following:
Find contractors that offer concrete staining near me.
If you are unhappy with the color of your stained concrete or you’d like to refresh concrete that was stained long ago, there are a few options. Water-based stains or dyes are great for restoring color to faded concrete. Before restaining it is essential to make sure any remaining sealer has been removed so that the stain can properly bond with the concrete.
In general, making a stain color darker can be done easily, but lightening the color is a different story. For this reason many contractors apply multiple layers of diluted stain until they reach the desired color. In the case of stain that came out too dark, you can start fresh with an overlay or try to pull the color back out of the concrete with an acidic solution. Yet another option for changing the color of stained concrete is a tinted sealer.
To determine how much stain you need for your project you will need to know the following:
Coverage rates are available from stain manufacturers and usually presented in square feet per gallon. The age and condition of the concrete will impact the coverage rate. More porous concrete will result in a lower coverage rate and thus more stain will be required.
On average, acid stains will cover 200 to 400 square feet per gallon, while water based stains will cover slightly more at about 250 to 450 square feet per gallon. Both acid based and water based stains can be diluted to get more coverage, however this will also lessen the intensity of the color.
Here’s an example of how to calculate how much stain you will need:
If you plan to apply multiple coats of stain you will need even more. Often the stain will have a better coverage rate on subsequent coats, which means you will need less.
Acid stain will be dry to the touch in 15-20 minutes, but that doesn’t mean the reaction is complete. Most stain manufacturers recommended a dry time of up to 24 hours. Many contractors find that letting stain dry overnight is sufficient and convenient for their schedule. If applying multiple coats of stain, allow for an hour or two of dry time in between.
Drying times for stains will vary based on:
After the stain has dried the acid needs to be rinsed and neutralized. Then there will be a few more hours of waiting for the concrete to dry before applying a sealer. The concrete must be completely dry and free of residue for the sealer to bond well. After the sealer is applied, you should wait at least 24 hours before returning to using the concrete as normal. Overall, the staining and sealing process should take 2 to 3 days.
Water based stains dry faster than acid stains and do not require neutralization before sealing. This makes them a great option for fast-track projects.
Free report:Concrete Staining Today
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