Concrete staining materials can be used in a variety of ways. They penetrate concrete deeply, providing building owners with fade-resistant, permanent paint finishes that do not peel or flake off after staining. If you are searching for a solution for your interior space or stain the concrete flooring at a commercial establishment that needs a finish that can withstand heavy traffic patterns, stained concrete floors are a great choice.

Sounds like a concrete flooring refinishing technique you would like to try for yourself? Consider these pros and cons before heading to the hardware store to pick a concrete floor stain product, whether you are tackling a company's floor or refinishing a concrete patio.

Advantages of having a Stained Concrete

·        Stained cement is safe for the climate. Concrete floors can be stained for a long-term solution that can last a century. You won't have to replace your wood, faux wood, carpet, or tile, which will all end up in landfills after they've served their purpose. By opting out of wood flooring, you help to support efforts to end logging. This practice clears forests of oxygen-producing trees that often serve as homes for birds and wildlife. Trees that are left standing often help to reduce chemical pollution into the atmosphere from factories and fuels.

·        Choose the stain that best suits your needs. Acid-based stains react chemically with the concrete, penetrating and causing distinctive mottling effects that mimic granite or marble. Acid-based products are suitable for any floor that needs a "wood" appearance. Since the color palettes associated with these products are generally restricted to earth tones, the colors created are mellow and natural-looking. Because of these types of products' chemical composition, the effects of using a water-based stain can be even more dramatic, so if you're going for "special," water-based products are a great option.

·        Enjoy unrestricted feature versatility and flexibility. Your color and pattern choices are practically infinite, so if your interior is industrial, modern, traditional, or earthy, you'll have no trouble finding items that will give it the look you want. It's easy to be imaginative. Use a single stain color, a combination of colors, or custom graphics to create a more fanciful floor. Custom graphics are popular among businesses looking to imprint logos, photographs, zone lines, and artistic touches across their floor expanses.

·        Obtain incalculable benefits. Your concrete floor will look beautiful no matter how much violence it receives. Invite the children and dogs to come in and drag their toys around the room. Furthermore, if your family members suffer from allergies or sensitivities, you should avoid the causes that carpeting attracts, such as dust mites and moisture.

Disadvantages of having Stained Concrete

·        If you drop something, it's a disaster. Cushioned flooring choices, such as tile, carpet, and some woods, have some "give" that makes standing on them for more extended periods more accessible, and you have a better chance of keeping your things in one piece with these flooring options. If you drop even non-fragile objects on stained concrete floors, you can find yourself replacing household and family jewels such as crystal, china, and any other fragile items. Once your cement floor has been stained, consider investing in thick mats.

·        This floor is not for a barefooted. Though stained concrete floors are attractive, they are not comfortable to walk around with bare feet because concrete is not only cold but also challenging to stand on for long periods, making household activities such as dishwashing and other chores unpleasant. This is particularly true for people who have arthritis or other bone and joint problems.

·        Concrete staining cannot mask defects in the foundation. While a thorough staining job may improve a concrete floor's appearance, stains – particularly acid-based stains – will not mask imperfections and may even make them appear worse. Minor flaws, such as cracking or discoloration on walls, maybe exacerbated after a stain is applied and the floor has dried. You might prevent any of this by using Herculean methods to prepare the floor before staining, but if you can't fix the issue, you may not want to go ahead.

·        It takes time to stain a concrete floor. Depending on the staining product you use, this finish could take anywhere from two to five days to complete. The longer the process takes, the more complex the design features and colors are. This only applies to concrete that is in good condition.