There are many ways a person can go about enhancing the look of their exterior concrete. While most people think that the only option is to rip out the old and install new, but there is another option that is much easier and much more affordable. Stained concrete is starting to quickly become a great way to give your concrete a fresh face and a little personality. Sidewalks, driveways, and patios are all options for exterior concrete staining.
It is important to know though that there are two basic kinds of stains. There are acid stains that produce a translucent, natural looking, color. Then there are the acrylic stains that create a more semi translucent color that is more consistent in nature. If the area has a lot of imperfections then you will want to go with the acrylic concrete stains. If the imperfections are huge grooves of missing concrete then it is best you go with a thin layer of new cement over the whole area before staining.
Not only will a exterior concrete staining project give your outside area a fresh new look and hide imperfections, it is an easy project that the homeowners can do all on their own. There is no need to hire a contractor to come in which means that you are able to spend very little to get this exciting project done.
If you are ready for a new look for your driveway, patio, or pool and you are prepared to give it a go on your own, then exterior concrete staining is very simple DIY project that almost anyone should be able to handle. There are a wide range of colors and styles that can give you the look and effect you are looking for. In no time at all, you will have a beautiful area that looks as though a professional contractor came in and gave you a whole new floor.
The following is a guide on how to care for your decorative concrete investment. It applies to the following types of surfaces:
* Stamped Concrete – imprinted and/or textured color hardened or integrally colored concrete
* Acid Stain or Stained Concrete – chemically other wise stained colored concrete
* Concrete Toppings – imprinted, engineered cementitious topping
* Exposed Hand Seeded Aggregate Concrete – Hand applied, decorative exposed aggregate concrete
These guidelines are good for any type of exterior concrete paving, such as Patios, Pool Decks, Walkways, Driveways and others.
Regular Maintenance – to be done as necessary
* Clean incidental spills and oil contamination as those occur.
* Sweep or hose abrasive materials such as sand and gravel off the concrete.
* Blow or sweep leaves that may leave topical stains when wet.
* Blow or sweep fertilizers off the concrete to avoid staining.
* Pressure wash or scrub and hose off any abrasive materials, dirt, mildew, etc.
* Mix neutral cleaner at two ounces per gallon and apply to the concrete surface.
* After scrubbing with a stiff brush, rinse thoroughly with a hose or pressure washer.
Clean and Recoat (one year after initial application)
* Re-coat sealer application.
* Utilize the Monthly Maintenance procedure to prepare the concrete.
* Apply or to two light coats of sealer by spray or roller.
* Allow to dry completely between coats and for an additional 6-24 hours prior to traffic.
Additional Recoat (as required or a minimum of every three years after initial application)
* Using the same methods as above, verify that all corrective coloring or repairs (if necessary) are completed at this time.
Concrete Paving Cautions, Limitations and Tips
The best way to keep a decorative paving installation looking its best is to understand its limitations. A decorative paving installation is a highly decorative product that may be done in a variety of textures and colors. Correct care is critical to maintain any topical colorants or high points of texture.
* High points of the imprinted texture on an exterior application can be subject to aggressive wear due to the relatively small surface area. This should be taken into consideration when developing a maintenance schedule for the surface. Caution should be used when running snow removal or steel bladed equipment over the concrete.
* The use of a skid reducing aggregate in subsequent reseal applications should be used to minimize slipperiness.
* If solvents or chemicals are spilled on the sealed surface, wipe up immediately. Resealing of those areas may be necessary.
* The use of chemical deicers on decorative paving is not recommended. If you do choose to use a deicer, it must be applied after the first winter. Never, under any circumstances, use rock salt or other deicer containing ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate, as these materials will damage the concrete paving. Using plain sand is recommended to promote the breakup of ice and to provide additional traction. There are available “concrete safe” deicers.
* Do not use an acid-based cleaner on a decorative concrete surface. Use neutral cleaners combined with water washing only.
This only a guide not a complete instruction manual on how to properly care for you decorative concrete paving. There are many qualified professionals across the county that can assist you in caring for you product. I recommend contacting them for further assistance.
Enhancing the beauty of the concrete rather than covering it up with carpet is fast becoming the standard in floor treatments, with benefits that extend beyond aesthetics. Exposed concrete can almost be compared to a piece of granite or marble transformed by staining. In this process, a plain surface is uncovered to reveal the exceptional beauty lying beneath. In the case of concrete, that beauty is in the form of decorative aggregate, either natural or manufactured. An exposed aggregate finish offers numerous advantages. And many of today’s contractors are finding creative ways to take exposed aggregate to the next level. And how to prepare floor to stain your concrete?
Spill a little water on the surface in several locations
Spill a little water on the surface in several different locations to see if the concrete absorbs water. If it doesn’t, curing agents may be obstructing the chemical stains to penetrate into the concrete surface with the lime in the concrete. Any material, sealer or curing agent will prevent the color from taking. You must remove all possible grease stains, oils stains, paint drips or any stubborn stain blocking the entry of acid stains and must be removed.
Don’t be negligent in the cleaning process
Don’t be negligent in the cleaning process; it can alter the entire effect. A substandard cleaning job will really show up once the sealer or wax is applied. Prepare the area, remove any stains and clean the entire floor. The concrete surface must be cleaned and washed over several times. No major indentations should be left in or on the surface. If you are going to fix any major cracks or holes with quick dry concrete, you must allow the fixed spots to dry completely before moving along to the next steps. Don’t use acid to clean the stained concrete flooring because it will reduce the effect of the stain. It’s best to scrub with a buffing machine using strip pads and to pick up the effluent with a high-quality wet vacuum.
Principal Removal Methods of Concrete Uncovered
Scraping, solvents, stripping agents, sanding and grinding are the principal removal methods. If you choose to grind the concrete, avoid making marks on the surface that will reflect through the concrete stained flooring. Use either a cup grinding wheel with a fine-grit or diamond polishing pads to get the high-quality results.
Sanding the surface the next step
Sanding the surface should be the next step after making sure that all dirt and grease is removed completely from the surface of the concrete. Making a smooth, uniform surface by sanding will can add its own pleasing effect to the final appearance by accentuating and feel of the concrete after the stain is applied. After the sanding is complete you will need to sweep and mop the concrete to get all the dust off of it.
The surface must be professionally clean and free of streak marks, footprints, and all residues. Anything remaining on the surface will affect stain penetration. Most stained concrete flooring manufacturers will provide color charts displaying multiple hues, or even actual samples of stained concrete to help you visualize the options. Contractors may also be able to provide samples of the various stain colors they work with.
As you have been looking around the web you may seen concrete stain floors that look like tile. This is accomplished by scoring the concrete with a 4″ grinder or a concrete saw. You can create amazing patterns with this simple process.
A word of caution: Handheld grinders can be very dangerous and sometimes they are easier to work with if you remove the safety guard that is usually provided, So Be Very Careful, Please!
If you are really serious about this you can even take intricate patterns and transfer them to transparencies or slides and use them with an overhead projector or slide machine to project onto the floor and trace the pattern with a soapstone and then score the patterns. The scoring in this case can be done with a hand held 4″ grinder or for more intricate patterns a common dremmel tool.
If you stain the floor after scoring and before sealing the score lines will be stained with the rest of the floor and will usually be a little darker than the floor stain color.
If the scoring is done after the staining is finished the grout lines will be the original color of the concrete. This will give you the appearance of looking more like tile without grouting.
You also have the option of scoring after the staining and then grouting the lines to give you more of an authentic look of tile. The grouting should be done after the first coat of sealer. Allow the grout to dry overnight and then apply the second coat of sealer. This of course should be followed by three coats of floor finish to act as a sacrificial lamb for the sealer.
It is best that the score line only be 1/8″ deep so as to make the floor much easier to clean. If you score the lines deeper than that it enables the grout lines to trap more dirt, animal hair etc.. If you feel you need to score the lines deeper then you may want to use a 100% solids epoxy as this will help fill in the grout lines and it will give the floor a much deeper look.
Equipment you will need:
1. 2″ x 4″ wood board or a 2″x 2″ angle iron
2. 4″ circular saw or a 4″ hand held grinder
3. 4″ x 1/8″ or 1/4″ diamond tipped concrete blade
4. Chalk box and chalk line – we recommend you use orange chalk as it does leave residual lines. DO NOT USE RED CHALK
SCORING BEFORE STAINING
1. After you have decided on the pattern that you wish to score into the floor, mark the design onto the floor using a chalk box (chalk line), being careful to only make cutting lines where actual cuts will be located. As noted above, DO NOT USE RED CHALK, as it is a permanent color and cannot be removed from the floor.
2. Using the 2″ x 4″ or other straight-edged object, cut the lines with the circular saw, making sure to cut straight lines. If you are using a circular saw be sure to place masking tape on the underside of the saw so it does not leave scratch marks on the concrete. If you using a hand held grinder use the 2″ x 2″ angle iron as a guide. Have you helper place their foot on the inside of the angle iron, flat side up towards the grinder, as run the diamond blade against the angle iron. This is the safest method we have found.
3. After the cutting is complete, remove the concrete dust by using a shop vac to clean up the dust. You can then mop the surface with a neutral cleaner and water. Do Not Use Soap as this may leave a film and inhibit the penetration of the stain. Allow the surface to dry completely.
Dust Muzzles, which are shrouds for the grinders are available in the clear plastic, they may be used for this application but we have found that it is very hard to see through them and get a straight cut. They hook up direct to a shop vac for dust control. You may want to give one a try. They only cost around $30.
4. Apply the concrete stain as recommended by the manufacturer.
SCORING AFTER STAINING
1. Apply the stain as recommended by the manufacturer..
2. Apply one coat of sealer as recommended by the manufacturer.
3. Mark your pattern as directed in Step No. 1 above.
4. Cut your pattern as directed in Step No. 2 above.
5. Clean your floor as listed in Step No. 3 above.
6. Apply another coat of sealer as recommended by the manufacturer.
Dull, grey, boring concrete has been given a facelift with the rapidly rising popularity of Decorative Concrete. A long time standard in the Southwestern part of the United States, Decorative Concrete has caught on nationwide because of its beauty and versatility. Having shed its drab ugly appearance, today it is being transformed into works of art.
Chipped, stained and damaged pool decks, driveways and interior floors can be resurfaced and made to look like beautiful natural stone at a mere fraction of the price of replacing it. Concrete is the new interior and exterior design King. Few materials can compete with concrete when it comes to versatility. It can be molded into any shape, stained or dyed to match nearly any hue and exhibit textures ranging from rough to highly polished.
Concrete can be given a whole new look with engraving, acid staining, texturing, overlaying or resurfacing.
What Is Acid Stain?
Most acid stains are a mixture of water, hydrochloric acid, and acid-soluble metallic salts. They work by reacting chemically with the hydrated lime in the stain producing color in the concrete.
When acid stain is applied to a concrete surface it creates a mottled, uneven, translucent color. This coloring process gives the surface a look similar to weathered stone, slate or marble. Since each concrete slab has a slightly different chemical combination colors in concrete can vary. Acid Staining unlike paint is not a coating. Therefore, the color becomes a permanent part of the surface and will not chip, flake or peel. Since acid stain is translucent cracks and other imperfections in the slab give a weathered look of character.
Concrete acid staining isn’t something that should be done by a novice. There are so many things that can go wrong with the application from spills on your walls or driveway, to eating a hole in the floor of your car or truck if not handled properly.
However an experienced applicator can produce a one of kind work of art with concrete and acid stain. Intricate designs can be scored or etched into your surface giving the appearance of tile or stone.
Benefits Of Stained Concrete:
You can custom design you surface.
Easy to care for, cleans easily with a damp mop.
Very durable, with care will last a lifetime.
Non-allergenic.
Costs less than carpet, tile or hardwood.
