Staining Concrete FloorsOne of the most popular ways to achieve color is through acid-staining. Chemical stains can be applied to new or old, plain or colored concrete surfaces. Although they are often called acid stains, acid isn't the ingredient that colors the concrete.
Metallic salts in an acidic, water-based solution react with hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) in hardened concrete to yield insoluble, colored compounds that become a permanent part of the concrete. Several companies manufacture chemical stains that are variations of three basic color groups: black, brown, and blue-green. "Designers are waking up to the fact that there's more than wood, carpet, and tiles. There's nothing that can't be done." -Richard Smith, Richard Smith Custom Concrete The acid in chemical stains opens the top surface of the concrete, allowing metallic salts to reach the free lime deposits. Water from the stain solution then fuels the reaction, usually for about a month after the stain has been applied. Other factors that affect the outcome include:
Many homeowners today prefer light tan finishes, which make up about 60 percent of the market. Greens and browns are popular, too. A combination of stain and water, called black washes, can be used to reduce the contrast between colors. Find an Interior Concrete Floor Contractor Concrete Contractors: Find Acid-Etch Staining Products and Suppliers Return to Concrete Interior Floors Find a Concrete Contractor 23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada © 2008 ConcreteNetwork.com None of this site may be reproduced without written permission |
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