Concrete Staining

 
Concrete staining provides the ultimate option to all interior decoration enthusiasts to create an elegant décor. The drab concrete covering the floor, kitchen slabs, garage and even driveways can be transformed from the dull gray shade to any color to suit ones imagination. With a plethora of options one can develop the ultimate dramatic appeal to the décor.
 
Stained concrete can accentuate the look of your flooring for an eye-catching look and retain the sturdy concrete structure. Concrete staining is a permanent investment to add glaze and luster to the floor area. It provides better and cheaper options to adorn the floor instead of using carpets or tile flooring.
 
In terms of options available for staining concrete, one can go for acid based staining or water based staining. Acid staining isn’t just a pigment application on the surface, rather it reacts with the minerals on the surface of the concrete and changes the chemical structure of the surface minerals. Hence after the final application, the stained concrete might look distinctly different from the shade of the stain. However acid staining is best suited for uneven surfaces as it creates a unique look for each slab. Acid stains have a limited number of options in terms of shades and are only available in earth shades like tans, browns, terra cottas, and blue-greens.
 
Water based acrylic staining on the other hand is a coating on the surface of the concrete and also offers a varied range of shades. Iron sulfates are a cheaper and environment friendly concrete staining option available for a rich terra cotta or a rust color. Iron sulfates do not produce fumes like acid stains and are easy to use.
 
Before any application, the concrete needs to be cleaned thoroughly to remove any dust particles. The reason behind the thorough cleaning is that the stain penetrates the porous concrete surface and re-bonds with the minerals. In case the surface has any greasy substance, or dust left over that might inhibit the chemicals to penetrate the surface and the staining might be substandard. Hence expert advice to clean the surface properly before staining work is begun.
 
With a plethora of options in terms of colors one can create various textures depending on the concrete surface. In case the concrete has cracks or breaks, the staining would not conceal that defect and in massively cracked concrete surfaces staining is not a suitable option. Lastly one can always buy concrete staining kits and apply it on their own, however acid stains can be hazardous to handle so expert advice is highly recommended. Lastly once applied, the staining is permanent so one should test the stain on a small area before a final application.

Concrete Staining

Hence concrete staining is the new raving concept to create the ultimate look to match the rest of the décor. With the warm shades available, one can accentuate the simple yet sophisticated look. With so many colors available, experimenting by creating patterns and blending different shades, concrete staining is the new favorite for all interior designing connoisseurs.