Is your existing concrete floor looking a little drab or do you want to expand away from the standard grey concrete?  One of your options is to colour the concrete and the best way to do this is by using an acid stain.

What are Acid Stained Concrete Floors?

Acid stains are water based acidic solutions that contain metallic salts.  These salts react with the lime in the concrete in order to create a colour.  Acid staining is permanent and the chemical reaction that causes the colour will not chip or peel off.  If you are acid staining your concrete floors, they will need to be protected using sealers and/or floor wax.  Anti slip sealers are available if you are worried about safety.

Acid staining needs to be done on concrete floors that have been allowed to cure for at least 30 days. Curing compounds should not be used. If you are using an existing floor, being aware that acid staining is designed to enhance the concrete, not hide it. This means that cracks, stains, blemishes, or other flaws will not be hidden. In some cases this is a good thing and will only accentuate the design that the acid staining creates.  If you do need a flawless floor, you may be able to have a thin cement overlay cover your concrete to give you a fresh base.

Using Acid Stained Concrete Floors

Acid staining is great for creating all kinds of looks and effects on floors because of the huge range of different colours available and also the ability to create so many different patterns.  For example, you choose to have a floor that is one solid colour or you could mix colours to create patterns that mimic polished marble, leather, natural stone, or even wood.  Acid stained concrete floors are also versatile as you can use them inside or outside the home.

The process of acid staining your floors is inherently unpredictable as the final result depends on things such as the age of the concrete, the types of acids and salts that you are using, the aggregates in the cement, the temperature and humidity levels at the time of staining, and how the concrete is sealed and buffed when the staining is done.  However, this is a desirable thing to many people and an inherent part of the appeal of acid stained concrete floors.

Find Out More About Acid Stained Concrete Floors

If you’d like more information about acid stained concrete or concrete in general, please visit our concrete flooring feature or take a look through our directory to find a professional that is local to you.