Stained Concrete floors

Stained Concrete Houston

We are a professional concrete flooring contractor who specializes in Stained Concrete Houston and dying. We pride ourselves in offering great customer service and a good value to our customers. Our goal is creating a quality floor and sticking to the schedule. It shows in every job we do.

Concrete Stain vs. Concrete Dye

When people think of changing the color of their concrete floor, they often think of staining their floors. However, concrete acid staining is not necessary for the best stain application method. Acid Stain concrete is a chemical reaction with the calcium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid effect on lime in concrete to change its color. And because acid stains are basically chemical experiments, the outcomes are often unpredictable.

Stained concrete can sometimes be confused with latex coatings that do not actually change the color of the concrete surface they just coat it like solid color paint(home improvement). Some of these products that get confused with staining are inferior water based stains. Most are applied with a specialty pump sprayer.

The decorative concrete industry is a mixed bag that includes characters that have sat through a 3-hour manufacturers seminar and think they are experts vs. a contractor like cement shine that has installed over 5 million square foot of Interior concrete floors. It’s important to be able to understand the difference between folks that petal latex stains vs. dyed concrete.

Concrete Dyes

To have more control over the results and to get a denser color, we prefer dying concrete floors. Concrete dyes are non-reactive color treatments made of very small particles–smaller than stains.

They soak deep into the pores of the concrete and leave a dense and lasting color. Dyes come in a variety of colors, much more than acid stain colors. Adding Color to concrete isn’t an exact science but dyes create greater predictability.

The color tone variation of highs and lows tend to be closer together with less extreme contrast.

To understand how concrete and concrete dyes work think about hardwood floors as an example. Different woods have different densities, they are either softwood or hardwood.

Concrete has different density and hardness or porosity too. Softwood like pine will take a stain differently than a hardwood like cherry. Concrete is no different. Absorption of dye is dictated by the type of concrete.

Our Process: Dying Concrete

Dying a concrete floor is an additional step in the concrete polishing process. During the middle of the polish process, we apply a dye–with a color of your choice–and allow it to penetrate the slab for a set time.

Then we apply a densifier and impregnating concrete sealer to set the color. These treatments are not topical coatings that can peel off; they are treatments that soak in, become part of the concrete slab, and make it denser.

Earth tone concrete stain colors are our preference.

Cioncrete Stain Colors: Concrete Dye Samples

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to tile or stained concrete?

The cost of stained concrete is driven by many factors. If it was as easy as spraying stain or dye on a concrete floor and that was it, it would always be cheaper. Typically, concrete floor staining is part of a whole system. This system can involve removal of old flooring systems, preparing slabs’ porosity for stain or dye, then sealing the surface with a durable and appropriate sealer. Square footage is also a determinate of price.

How much does it cost to do stained concrete floors?

Depending on factors and options the cost to stain can run from $5 to $15 per square foot. Tile cost can vary based on the quality of material and local labor costs. Stained concrete cost and polished concrete floors can be cheaper than tile depending on the unique variables of the project. The cost of stained or dyed concrete usually adds less than a dollar (per square feet) to a polishing project's cost.

Can you stain existing concrete floors?

Yes, if the floors lack any contaminants that would inhibit a stain or dye from penetrating the surface. Many times, concrete can be covered with a cure or a sealer that makes it impossible to stain. Prepping the slab or staining and polishing a slab is almost always necessary.

Can I stain old concrete?

Age is not a factor that affects concrete staining. If you were looking to acid stain a slab you would want to make sure that it hasn’t had Acid spills or had fly ash in it. Some concrete retarders used at pour like calcium chloride can throw off an acid stain. Using a dye may be less risky.

Are stained concrete floors slippery?

The stain is not a factor that would determine slipperiness. The stain is usually a part of a larger flooring system that includes a process or a sealer. With polished concrete, the sealer is impregnating they do not test as slippery. Some higher build coatings can be slippery but its best to measure with a Tribometer or even a pendulum test. Real Concrete stains or dyes are not slippery by themselves. Some products sold over the counter labeled as “concrete stain” are not stains but latex coatings(paints) and don’t stain but a coat. These should be categorized as paints.

Is stained concrete expensive?

Staining is usually just one element to an entire flooring system. For example, with a concrete polishing system, it may add $0.80-1.00 to an average polishing project. Probably similar for a floor covered in a clear urethane or epoxy. A concrete flooring system involves can involve flooring demo costs and prep too.

How long does it take to stain concrete floors?

With polished concrete, it may add 20% extra time to the project. It takes longer to mask the walls then dye the concrete. Many dyes dry super-fast.

Is stained concrete durable?

If the staining is a part of a larger polished concrete system you will have very durable floors.

Concrete Staining & Dying Estimates:

The process of starting your project is easy. First, you’ll need a design consultation and quote. We will come out for free to measure your floor, help you chose a color and give your quote for the work.

When you are ready to move forward we can put you on the schedule and have your project completed in a couple of days to a couple of weeks, depending on the size of your project. It’s that easy. We only dye floors that are being polished.

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