Easy Tips For Choosing Concrete Stains
Staining concrete is an effective and inexpensive way to give drab concrete a whole new look. Many of the other ways of decorating concrete are simply too much money. This is mainly because they require that the concrete is either ripped out or that overlays are applied. Staining utilizes the concrete you already have which saves you the expenses which would be involved in removing it or adding new concrete.
While it is fairly easy to stain concrete you will need to do some research to ensure you have what you need for your job. Acid stains and acrylic stains are the two main types of concrete stains. Each type will work differently than the other. Concrete acid stains work by reacting with the lime at the surface of the concrete to create color. Acrylic stains work by seeping into pores in the concrete. The type of stain you use will determine the look you get. What is right for you will depend on your particular application and preference.
Of the two types of stains it seems acid stain is more unpredictable. Because of the way that it works it is almost impossible to know what it will look like ahead of time. When you use an acid stain you will get color variations and a very natural looking surface. This can give you a real beautiful look with lots of style and charm. Acid stains will not always be your best choice. If you concrete has imperfections acid stains can make them stand out. Whether you like this look or not is a matter of personal taste. Acrylic stains will be your best choice if your concrete is more than 15 years old. This is because lime washes out of your concrete over time and the color acids give is caused by a reaction to lime. Acid stain which is applied to old concrete may not give you the desired results.
