Stained concrete flooring is a durable, stylish option for any setting. The stained concrete provides the perfect backdrop for whatever design you are looking to create–from homes to restaurants in Melbourne, FL that want to create a unique look and feel. It’s also more durable than traditional carpeting or tile floors and can be crafted in any color imaginable–from vibrant blues to soothing greys!
In this blog post we’ll lay out some of the reasons a stained concrete flooring is a smart and stylish choice for your home or business. But first, let’s learn more about stained concrete.
What is stained concrete flooring?
A stained concrete floor is any concrete floor that has a stained finish, which adds extra depth and beauty to the subsequent floors.
You’ve heard of stained concrete flooring before, but what does that term actually mean? Simply put, stained concrete flooring is created by pouring colored concrete into pre-formed molds to create a variety of unique designs that fit seamlessly with any setting. They tend to look almost like marble because it has an array of colors mixed within the material. The stained concrete can range from bold (such as bright blues) to neutral shades so you’ll have no problem finding something that compliments the overall look of your home or business.
What are stained concrete flooring benefits?
There are many benefits to stained concrete floors, but arguably the most important benefit is that stained concrete can last for decades! It can easily last at least 15 years with no issues. In fact, the natural hardening process of stained concrete makes it so durable that stained floors have been used in churches and other public spaces since 1864! And while a stained floor may be more expensive than classic tile, stained floors also have their own unique appeal–which we’ll discuss below.
Here’s a quick list of 6 pros and cons.
How is concrete flooring usually stained?
Concrete is usually stained in one of 3 ways:
- Direct stained – Concrete flooring is stained directly after the floor is poured, while indirect stained floors are stained after they have been allowed to cure for a few weeks. Both ways of staining can be finished off with an epoxy topcoat or sealant to make them even more durable and easier to clean.
- Acid dye – Stained concrete floors are stained with acid dyes, which causes the stone to darken and become more absorbent. This stained effect can then be sealed or waxed depending on how hardy and contemporary you want your flooring to look.
- “Painted” stained concrete floors are stained in a similar way as painted wood (although not necessarily using paint). The paint is applied directly onto the wet concrete floor and allowed to dry for several days before being sealed or top coated.
With any of the methods above, the basic process remains the same; however, direct staining requires an additional step for curing.
Why stained concrete flooring is a good option for your home or business
More and more people are choosing stained concrete flooring for their homes in Melbourne, FL because they’re durable and stylish. In fact, there are many advantages associated with having stained concrete home flooring installed throughout your entire property!
For example:
- It’s low cost compared to most other finished surfaces.
- It can be stained to any color imaginable
- It’s easy to clean and maintain even when stained
When you want your stained concrete flooring to really shine, consider applying an epoxy or polyurethane coating over the stained surface. These finishes will ensure that you don’t have residual stains on your floor after normal wear and tear–and they’ll also make cleaning up messes a lot easier!
Stained concrete is ideal for homes that may have some moisture issues such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements–especially if they’re taking advantage of its inexpensive price tag! You’ll find that stained cement floors might be just what your home needs in order to burst forth with creativity and design flare.
Stained concrete floors can be combined with just about any surface type to create a truly customized design. By adding tinted grout, stained concrete floors can also provide the benefits of other materials such as natural stone and tile in addition to the beauty of stained concrete. A stained concrete floor can also be designed to meet specific needs in a setting, like handicap-accessibility.
Tips on how to maintain stained concrete flooring
Stained concrete floors are a durable surface that can last for many years if you provide them with regular maintenance. This means sealing stained concrete from time to time and protecting stained concrete from wear and tear when it’s not possible to reseal stained concrete. You’ll find that stained concrete floors are easy to clean with soap and water, but more stubborn stains may require the use of a commercial-strength cleaner.
As stained concrete is a porous material, it’s crucial to protect stained concrete from moisture and harsh detergents (like bleach) to avoid the possibility of discoloration. You should also take care not to scratch stained concrete floors in an effort to clean them thoroughly; they’re much easier to clean when you use regular soap and water instead of scouring pads or harsh chemicals.
Exposing stained concrete floors to high humidity may cause them to crack; as a result, stained concrete isn’t the best choice if your home or business has basement-level flooring. Similarly, stained cement isn’t suited for areas that receive heavy foot traffic such as commercial buildings, restaurants or schools because it will become worn down over time. On the other hand, stained concrete is the perfect material for basements, homes and businesses that like to combine form and function with style.
Now let’s answer some common questions around stained concrete flooring!
How do I best clean stained concrete flooring?
With stained concrete floors being a porous material, it’s important to protect it from moisture and harsh detergent like bleach. Keep in mind that exposed stained cement flooring is not the best choice if your home or business has basement flooring. If you want an easy, deep clean for your stained concrete floors, try using regular soap and water rather than scouring pads or harsh chemicals.
Although you can’t use abrasive solvents on stained concrete surfaces, they’re easy to maintain with occasional sealing or application of a polyurethane; this will keep stains from coming through after wear and tear have occurred. Whenever possible, use products made specifically for stained cement flooring–remember that high humidity may cause these materials to crack!
How do I repair stained concrete flooring?
One of the few drawbacks is that they can be slightly difficult to repair. It isn’t easy to find a matching stain years down the road and any patches will likely match differently, so there will always be some sort of different shade or tone difference in light and dark areas on your flooring.
Will my stained concrete flooring scratch easily?
Generally, stained concrete floors are tough, but can be scratched with heavy usage. This is often the case for restaurants and schools where stained concrete may become heavily worn over a period of years. Keep in mind that stained the usage of a de-humidifier should accompany concrete basements because it will crack from the high humidity less you de-humidify the space.
Is stained concrete flooring pet friendly?
Stained concrete floors are more durable than traditional carpet or tile floors and will resist pet stains, odors, and scratches. In addition to that, it is a non-toxic flooring material.
What is the average cost to have my concrete floor stained?
Staining a concrete floor can be an inexpensive, durable way to brighten up any space. Depending on what you want your final look or feel for the project, staining under $3-$5/sq ft will leave it with just one color and sealer finish that is fairly flat in nature. On average this leaves about 2 hours of labor time added per square foot which includes removing old paints or sealers before applying the stain as well as buffing out excess residue after application.
Stains are not recommended if there is excessive water damage because they do not adhere well over damaged surfaces nor does their durability stack up against other types of finishes like polyurethane coating when exposed to high levels moisture without sealing first.
Conclusion:
The design possibilities for concrete floors are endless, and you can make your new home a showroom quality house by designing the perfect flooring. From textured surfaces or stains to stamped patterns, there is no limit to what you can do with concrete.
If you’re considering adding this type of flooring in your own home but don’t know where to start, call Manatee Concrete in Melbourne, FL at (321) 732-6123 today for a free estimate on our services! We have years of experience working with homeowners who want the best possible look at their homes. Our team will work closely with you throughout the process so that we stay within budget and meet all deadlines while still providing top-notch service.
