We all know just how boring a blank concrete slab can be. Dull, gray and dusty are not the adjectives that you want describing the exterior concrete of your home or business. So maybe it is time to start thinking about a coating that can turn your slab from drab a weary into warm and inviting, worthy of being the focal point of your home or business. With so many coatings on the market to choose from, it can be very time consuming but we are going to be going over concrete stains and why they are one of the best options! Down below, you will find everything you need to know about stains down below.
COMMON AREAS STAINED CONCRETES ARE USED
GARAGE FLOORS
We all know just how barren a garage can be when the flooring is bare concrete. Not only is the finish unappealing in most cases, oil stains and cracks most often dominate the surface of the garage. Pair that with weekend hobbies or even simply storing your vehicle overnight, your garage can look worse for wear in the blink of an eye. But with a stained concrete system in place, we can turn your garage into one of the most attractive settings of your home, covering repairs, resisting stains and with a custom finish.
DRIVEWAYS
The driveway is an area of the home that most homeowners tend to forget about but in actuality, it is one of the most important pieces of any home. Your driveway serves as the main entry point to your home so shouldn’t it be one of the most attractive concrete surfaces of them all? While a stained concrete driveway can be amazing to look at, it can also increase the value of your home or make your home more attractive on the market when it comes time to move on.
PATIOS/POOL DECKING
One of the most common settings that you can find stained concrete is on the pool deck. The rich earthy tones of acid stained concrete go together perfectly with any pool and with special additives in the sealer, we can bring texture to your pool deck that can make it safer and easier to walk on when wet. An acid stained pool decking is also resistant to fading from the harsh UV rays that the deck will be exposed to. With a permanent finish, you can enjoy your deck for decades before any major modifications are required.
WHY INVEST WITH STAINED CONCRETE?
Many home and business owners take to using stained concrete over traditional coatings for the reasoning of acid-based stains being permanent. Acid-based stains seep into the concrete and react chemically with your slab, producing earthy color tones that will last as long as the concrete slab resulting in less downtime, easier maintenance and a more approachable finish than other coatings
ACID-BASED STAINS VS WATER BASED STAINS
When it comes to acid-based vs water-based stains, there is a clear cut advantage to using both. In terms of water-based stains, they offer a broader range of color options and they are also more affordable than the acid-based stain system. But water-based stains cover the concrete and sit on its surface resulting in lower durability, lesser lifespans, and a more intensive maintenance regiment.
Acid-based stains, on the other hand, offer amazing damage resistance, easy maintenance, and incredible life spans as they are a permanent flooring solution. When paired with a urethane or epoxy topcoat, acid stains become resistant to chemicals, scratches, and abrasions while having a carefree maintenance regiment that can save you time and money in the long run.
AFFORDABILITY
Because there are no typical coatings that will be required for the installation of an acid-based stain, the savings you stand to gain are phenomenal. If your slab is in good condition, you can expect to spend anywhere from 2-4 dollars a square foot for the installation of an acid-based stain.
INSTALLATION SPEED
In conditions of good weather, the condition of your concrete and the size of the area you want stained, the installation process can be done faster than most other coatings on the market. With over 10 years of experience, our team has what it takes to install most stains within 2-4 days with proper weather conditions.
THE DURABILITY OF
ACID STAIND CONCRETE
One of the biggest benefits of acid stained concrete is the fact that they simply never wear out. Because the material is embedded in the concrete, normal forms of wear and tear such as heavy traffic, UV exposure, and even vehicle traffic. But one of the main reasons why stains are used in commercial settings and garages is because they are inflammable and offer resistance to water, like flooding.
When your stains have been properly installed, they will also offer resistance to physical damage in the form of chipping, discoloration, fading or peeling. But when paired with one of our high-quality sealers, your concrete will have resistance to chemical harm and stains from oil, salt, and accidental spills.
ATTRACTIVE FINISHES
Concrete stains can work wonders for your bland concrete slab. With acid stained concrete, the chemical reactions that take place during installation and curing resemble earthy tones that make the slab appear as a more luxurious finish that mimics the appearance of materials like marble or glazed stone. When it comes to bang for your buck, no other coating looks better than stained concrete.
THE CAREFREE MAINTENANCE OF STAINED CONCRETE
A major reason why home, business, and property owners are using stains more and more is that they are very easy to maintain. Because the acid-based stain seeps into the concrete, there is never any faded sections that will need to be touched up in the future. In terms of day to day maintenance, acid-based stains require minimal maintenance of a dry dust mop or damp mop to remove any dirt, debris or dust. When deeper cleans are required to remove stains, use a PH neutral cleaner. But around pool decking, driveways and garages, a standard garden hose can be used to wash down the concrete when heavily soiled.
In terms of long term maintenance, all that is required is the replacement of the seal coat every 1-3 years. This timeframe for replacement can vary based on location, traffic and what the slab is used for. Waxes, however, can be used to prolong the lifespan of the sealer.
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