Staining
Staining is a coloring process involving a
chemical reaction between acid stain and concrete. Acid stain is
a solution of water, acid, and inorganic salts that react with the minerals in
the concrete giving a distinctive, permanent color with a subtly shaded
marbled effect, similar to natural stone. The chemical reaction produces
a permanent, rich, variegated color on the surface of the concrete. Because every concrete surface is different,
staining provides a custom look that is ideal for residential, commercial, or
municipal applications both interior and exterior.
Concrete acid stains can
transform ordinary concrete into a limitless palette of color and design.
Even though acid stain is only available in eight basic colors (limited by
the number of natural mineral salts), the colors can be diluted to achieve
shades of each color, combined to create other colors, or layered giving a
multi-hued variegated effect. It
is designed for use on old and new concrete, residential, commercial, and
municipal applications. Because acid stain reacts with the minerals in
the concrete, acid stain is
resistant to chipping, peeling, cracking, and fading, unlike conventional
masonry paints and stains. Coupled with either a periodic application of a
floor wax, solvent-based concrete sealer, water-based epoxy, or polyurethane
sealer, the acid stain surface is easy to
maintain and clean and will maintain its appearance and durability for years
to come.
At Designer Concrete & Supply, Inc., we have selected two leading suppliers of
acid stain, Stain-Crete by Increte Systems and Kemiko Stone Tone Stain.
Even though acid stain uses natural salts to color the concrete, each
manufacturer has their own formula giving them slight variations in colors.
Scoring
To add an additional dimension to the design,
the concrete surface can be scored. Scoring is a process of cutting or
etching patterns into the surface of the concrete. Designs can include
borders, tile patterns, large diamonds, curves, or custom-created design.
Key Benefits:
