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Quick Answer: How Much Does It Cost To Stain Concrete Floors Yourself

How much does it cost to stain concrete floors yourself? DIY concrete staining costs between $0.30 per square foot and $0.40 per square foot.

Can I stain my concrete floor myself?

A stained concrete floor is a great and durable flooring option, and – good news! – staining one yourself is a surprisingly easy task (although you’ll want to avoid one major pitfall we fell into below).

Are stained concrete floors expensive?

Stained Concrete Floors The cost to stain concrete floors runs from $2 to $10 per square foot, but could cost up to $15 per square foot. One layer of stain will run on the lower end ($2 to $4 per square foot). High-end prices come with more layers and design.

Is it better to stain or paint concrete floors?

Concrete stain embeds the surface to color it translucently, while opaque concrete paint covers the top of the concrete but is subject to chipping and peeling when improperly applied. Concrete stains go on quicker, dry faster and take less work than concrete paint, but they offer no significant protection.

How much does it cost to dye concrete?

The cost of colored concrete will vary between $4.00 – $15.00 per square foot depending on whether you’re installing a colored concrete floor, patio, driveway, or stamped concrete.

Is it hard to stain concrete floors?

IS IT HARD TO STAIN CONCRETE? Overall, staining concrete can look like a simple process. However, it is important to keep in mind that while your stain is permanent, so are your mistakes.

How long will stained concrete last?

With stained concrete, the concrete itself will last for many years, potentially over 100 years. However, in order for the stain to last, the floors will need to be sealed or waxed once or twice per year.

Is stained concrete flooring a good option?

Concrete floors are a great alternative to linoleum, carpet, wood, tile, stone or marble flooring. Concrete can be stained nearly any color, resurfaced in a variety of textures and finishes, or polished for a smooth, shiny look. Plus, concrete flooring is durable, long-lasting and easy to clean and maintain.

Is it cheaper to tile or stained concrete?

Staining a concrete floor typically costs less than tiling. Installing ceramic or porcelain tile costs on average between $15 and $20 per square foot.

Do you have to sand concrete floors before staining?

If the concrete floors are particularly smooth or have been polished, you should sand them before staining. The best concrete surface for staining is rough and porous to allow good color penetration. Smooth, glossy surfaces will prevent all types of stains, even acid stains, from properly sticking to the floor.

Do you have to acid wash concrete before staining?

Schmidt also warns against acid etching of floors before staining. A lot of people think they need to acid etch the concrete like they do before applying a paint or coating, to get the paint to adhere. But acid washing depletes the lime content, which is what the minerals in the acid stain react with.

Which is better epoxy or stained concrete?

Both stained concrete and Nature Stone flooring will last for years with proper care, but stone epoxy tends to be slightly more durable than stained concrete. The reason for this is because the sealant used on top of stained concrete wears down faster than stone epoxy.

Is colored concrete worth it?

Mostly used for aesthetic purposes, colored concrete is a great option for creating interesting designs and artistic presentations of concrete. Colored concrete can be used to break up larger areas of concrete.

Is stained concrete cheaper than wood floors?

Yes, concrete floors are generally more affordable than hardwood floors. Generally, a concrete floor costs between $2 and $15 per square foot, while hardwood floors cost between $12 and $20 per square foot, according to Floor Critics.

Is staining concrete cheaper than carpet?

Affordable – Generally, stained concrete is cheaper than wood, laminate or carpeting – particularly if your concrete is new and in good condition, and if you don’t have to rip up any existing flooring. The cost to hire a professional usually ranges from about $2 to $4 per square foot.

How do you maintain stained concrete floors?

HOW TO CLEAN STAINED CONCRETE FLOORS Dry dust mop or damp mop regularly to keep away dirt and grime, cutting down on abrasion. Damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner and water for an occasional deeper cleaning. Protect with a good film-forming sealer and a coat of wax or floor finish.

Are stained concrete floors slippery?

Like any hard, smooth surface, stained concrete can become slippery when wet, especially if it has been coated with a high-gloss sealer. For concrete floors or walkways exposed to moisture or in areas with a lot of foot traffic, there are ways you can increase the slip resistance without affecting the color.

Can you stain old concrete?

Your existing old concrete should be fine to stain, so long as it is not contaminated with glue, paint, oil, grease, sealers, waxes, or anything else that would prevent the stain from soaking into the pores of the concrete.

How do you stain concrete cheaply?

There are products on the market that will paint or resurface concrete but to go cheap, use the least expensive oil base stain or paint you can find. Mix the paint/stain with paint thinner in a 50-50 solution. That is one gallon of paint to one gallon of paint thinner.

How do you prepare concrete for staining?

Apply Concrete Cleaner and Degreaser: The vast majority of concrete slabs only require minimum cleaning using an organic degreaser diluted at a medium concentration with water. Scrub Surface: Clean the surface with a soft nylon bristle brush or power wash on a low setting to prepare most floors for staining.

Is stained concrete permanent?

Although concrete stain is permanent and won’t flake off like paint, it penetrates only the top layer of the concrete surface and will eventually wear away as the surface is worn by traffic or weather exposure.

Does stained concrete increase home value?

Getting concrete floor coatings or a decorative concrete overlay is not a luxury – it’s an investment that can pay off over time. Not only will the investment improve your enjoyment of the home and reduce your maintenance, but it will also improve the value of your home.

Do you need to seal stained concrete?

To prolong stain life, stain manufacturers recommend keeping stained surfaces protected with multiple coats of clear sealer (outdoors) and a floor wax (indoors). A good sealer will provide other benefits as well, such as adding sheen to the surface and enhancing color intensity.