A gray, dull-looking concrete wall can be a depressing sight in an otherwise beautiful home.
Painting may give it the boost it needs, but paint and concrete do not always work well together. Because concrete is porous, trapped moisture can cause the paint to peel and flake.
Concrete stains provide a more suitable solution for residential concrete surfaces. The stain penetrates the porous material, helping the color remain in place without peeling like conventional paint.
Stained Concrete Categories
Acid-Based Stain
Stained concrete solutions have different types. One type of concrete staining is the acid-based stain.
It has three main components which are water, hydrochloric acid or commonly called as muriatic acid and metallic salts.
Concretes contain hydrated lime which reacts with the acid-based stain. This stain will also penetrate the concrete making it a permanent part of the concrete.
The end result will appear as translucent and each result will be unique. The results will depend on what surface and condition the stain is applied to.
Though acid-based stains are popularly used, they only offer a limited range of colors. The basic colors commonly used are brown and blue-green.
One problem it also has is it needs a very clean surface for application.
Oils and dirt must be completely scrubbed off using water and soap. Using a pressure washer to wash the concrete is also advisable to get the best results out of the stain.
Solvent-Based Staining
Solvent-based staining is the other classification in the two types of concrete staining.
Among the types of stains, solvent-based stain is the most similar to wood stains. The hydrocarbon solvent found in this stain transports it’s components into the concrete.
Solvent-based stains also work just like the acid-based stains. The only difference is that this type of stain only penetrates the top layer of the concrete.
This makes the color very vulnerable to fading especially when exposed in extreme sunlight.
What To Expect?
People can be disappointed with the color they produce. Both of them don’t deliver the vibrant colors most people are expecting.
This downside is one problem that can be easily solved using other methods. Since contaminants and other factors may affect the chemical reactions, inconsistency in color is also a problem but some use this inconsistency as natural patterns for their walls or floors.
The various types of concrete staining are all very useful and share common problems.
They function well but each has its own disadvantages. Acid-based stains may offer great penetration but they lack in the color department.
Solvent-based stains may only penetrate lightly but they are easier to handle compared with acid-based stains.
Conclusion
Each stain has its own purpose so identify first the situation and condition of the concrete before choosing a stain.
Whatever type of concrete staining a person may use, great results will always be expected so long as instructions are followed properly and application is done correctly.
