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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).
How hard is it 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 do you prepare indoor 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.
What kind of stain do you use for concrete floors?
There are two types of products you can use for staining concrete floors: acid-based concrete stain and water-based concrete stain. Each option has pros and cons. The color palette is more limited, but the stain typically lasts longer than water-based so it’s the best solution for high-traffic areas.
How much does it cost to stain concrete yourself?
DIY concrete staining costs between $0.30 per square foot and $0.40 per square foot.
How do you stain an existing concrete floor?
Mix 3 parts water to 1 part muriatic acid in a plastic sprayer. Spray the solution over a small area of the concrete surface and scrub any stained areas with a stiff-bristle scrub brush. Watch for the acid to begin bubbling, which indicates it has reacted as needed with the surface.
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.
Are stained concrete floors expensive?
Here are the base prices for popular concrete floor finishes: Stained Concrete Cost – $2 to $4 per square foot. Concrete Overlay Cost – $3 to $7 per square foot. Polished Concrete Cost – $3 to $12 per square foot.
Is it better to stain or paint concrete?
When properly applied, the paint will last a long time without chipping or peeling and can also help hide imperfections or patch work on top of the concrete. In comparison, acid stain actually permeates the pores of the concrete and interacts with different components of the concrete.
How do you refinish an interior concrete floor?
How to refinish concrete floors Prepare & Repair. Etch, grind, or shot blast the concrete surface to make it porous. Clean & Prime. Mop and let the concrete slab thoroughly dry. Mix Product. Apply Overlay. Add Patterns & Texture. Cure & Seal.
Do I have to etch concrete before staining?
You may get marks that look like water spots,” he says. 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. Micro-Degreaser Non-acid cleaner for staining prep.
Do you need to prime concrete before staining?
Most concrete paints generally need no concrete primer. Old slabs are different: they have had time to react with the air and the alkalinity has come down. (Always wait at least 30 days for new concrete before preparing concrete floors for painting in any case).
Can I use wood stain on concrete?
You can use most any kind of wood stain to coat concrete as long as you take the proper preparation steps to condition the surface to accept the coating. In addition, you may need to apply a water-proofing agent to the finish coat, depending on where the concrete is located.
How long does concrete stain 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.
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.
How much does a gallon of concrete stain cover?
On average, acid stains will cover 200 to 400 square feet per gallon, while water based stains will cover slightly more at about 250 to 450 square feet per gallon.
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.
How much does it cost to color cement?
Colored Concrete Costs Item Unit Cost Cost Colored concrete finish: earth tone, light brown. $2.62 $1,375 Upgrade: additional cost for special tone, like red or green. $0.42 $221 Material Cost $3.19 $1,596 + Labor Cost (base) $36 $864.
Can you stain over stained concrete?
The only true type of concrete staining is acid staining, which seeps into the concrete’s pores to actually become a part of the concrete surface. You can restain concrete if it’s already been stained, but it won’t be as rich of a color, as it may not take in all areas of the concrete.
How do you match concrete to old concrete?
Pour a small amount of concrete stain in a small bucket and add water to thin it. Test the stain and let it dry on sample concrete to see if it matches the color of the existing cement when dry. Add more water or stain as necessary to get it close to the same and then brush the stain on the new cement.
Can you stain old outdoor concrete?
Staining concrete can bring new life to a basement floor or outdoor concrete. Surface preparation is an important part of how to stain concrete. Take time to clean the old concrete before the staining process and work carefully as you apply stain to the concrete floor.
