3 Treatments for Your Interior Concrete Floors

If you have interior concrete floors in your home, your concrete floor needs to be treated to increase its durability.  There are so many options. Finding the ideal solution can be challenging. We have narrowed your search by comparing three common options for staining the concrete in your home.  

Below is a comprehensive guide on concrete staining, epoxy coating, and acid coating:

Concrete Staining

A concrete stain mainly adds color to the floor and makes it more durable. It is important to note, concrete staining should not be confused with painting. While painting results in a thin layer of about 0.005 inches on the concrete surface, stains soak deeper into the concrete for a more lasting and permanent effect.

Although concrete stains come in various tints, shades, textures, and shades, they can be classified into 2 categories:

Film-Forming Stains

Film forming stain coats the concrete surface to add color. It does not need a sealing compound. Since it is only a coating, it is not permanent, and you will need to reapply a concrete sealer every 3-5 years depending on foot traffic, weather, chemicals, or other agents that can cause the film to peel.

Penetrating Stains

Penetrating stains do exactly what their name infers. These stains penetrate the concrete’s pores to create a more permanent solution. This can be perfect for high traffic areas. They can be applied on top of previously stained or any sealed concrete surfaces. And the concrete’s age and composition does not matter and will not negatively affect the outcome. This type of stain gives the surface a translucent appearance. So any flaws on your floor will remain visible. 

What Are the Benefits of Concrete Staining?

Flexibility

Whether you want to stick to one color or mix two or three, concrete staining extends to you the luxury of choosing whichever shade or tint you prefer.

Durability

If you go for the penetrating stains, your color will not peel or fade with time. Concrete staining also forms a protective layer on the concrete and reduces the possibility of mold and mildew by creating a water-resistant surface.

Economical Benefits of Concrete Staining

You can apply new stain on a previously stained or sealed concrete floor, making it an economical choice. Concrete stains will also help reduce your energy bills by creating thermal insulation, increasing energy efficiency, and lowering power consumption.

Low Maintenance

As mentioned before, stain will inhibit the growth of bacteria and mildew. This prevents you & your loved ones from breathing in mold spores. Concrete staining also makes the floor scratch-resistant, eliminating the need for repairs. Cleaning your floors is a snap because all you need is to regularly sweep and mop. No worrying if the floor will absorb water!

Aesthetic Appeal

You are spoilt for choice; from stenciled designs to other visual effects, concrete stains will adhere to your taste. You can as well design the concrete to complement any existing décor. This aesthetic appeal can add to your 

Acid Staining

Acid stains chemically interact with the concrete’s minerals. This staining technique etches the surface to create a natural marbling look. Acid stain comes in a limited variety of colors that comprise browns, tans, soft blue-greens, and terra coats. It is important to note that acid stains are more expensive, and their application demands more experience and safety precautions. So you may not want to try to DIY acid staining. 

What are the Benefits of Acid Staining?

Durability

Since the acid’s chemicals react with the concrete, you can be sure that the resulting surface will be permanent. This is why acid staining is ideal for factories, schools, and other areas that experience high traffic and pressure from heavy machinery.

Does Not Limit Your Options

If you decide your acid-stained concrete floor no longer suits your style, you can install another floor on top. Of course, the more flawless the acid staining is, the lower the chances of you having to make repairs and other preparation to the floors before installing your new floor.

Uniqueness

The great thing about chemical reactions is that the results are original. No two floors come out looking exactly the same. Therefore, it is the ideal choice if you are going for a unique look. However, you will have to engage a professional to get that perfect appearance that suits the textures you want. Professionals can also predict how the results of acid staining will turn out because the concrete floor’s age plays a significant role.

Aesthetics

Acid stains have a beautiful range of colors you can choose from to incorporate in your space.  Also, there is no limit to the patterns and textures you can decide to use too. 

Things to Consider When Acid Staining Concrete

On average, the entire staining process can take 48 hours. Although some prefer leaving the acid stain to penetrate for a day or so. The longer you allow the stain to penetrate, the deeper the color result will be.  

Most of the labor comes when rinsing and neutralizing after the stain has been applied. Because the acid stain leaves a physical residue that must be removed before any sealer can be applied.  

If you are staining new concrete, you must wait for the curing process (21 to 28 weeks) to be complete prior to applying the sealant.

Colors

If you are interested in having a bright-colored space, acid staining will not be an excellent pick because all the manufacturers have limited your options to earth tones.

Different Results

While having a unique look is great if that is what you are looking for, sometimes it may not work so well with spaces that require uniformity. At times even if you use the same color and application method, the result will be different.

Epoxy Coating

Epoxy coating is a resin and a polymer hardener mixture that is combined and then applied on a concrete surface. After applied, the epoxy chemical reacts with the concrete to create an adhesive bond. The epoxy coatings vary in thickness. 

The coating material’s chemical formulation determines the resistance to certain chemicals. While the thickness and physical properties of the coating film will determine the resistance to heavy traffic and machinery.

Types of Epoxy Coatings

Solid Epoxy Floor Coating

This coating type is the most popular and recommended since it lasts up to 20 years and can withstand all sorts of impacts from heavy machinery and traffic. Professionals use hardeners to dry up the epoxy floor coating in solid form when bonding with the concrete. Its thickness is usually 2mm maximum, and it is sensitive to temperatures. Thus, professionals recommend using it in areas with no vapor migration.

Water-Based Epoxy Floor Coating

It is usually the type you will find in a DIY kit. It spreads thinly to give your surface a protective coating. This coating is resistant to abrasion, chemicals, stains, and water. It does not last as long as the solid epoxy floor coating. However, you can apply as many coatings as needed. 

Solvent-Based Epoxy Floor Coating

It acts as a floor sealer and primer but is not recommended because most of the solvents available contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can have short and long-term adverse effects on your health. 

These epoxy coatings are usually thinner and easy to apply. The film’s thickness is determined by the percentage of solid components; they usually contain 30% to 70% solids.

Benefits of Epoxy Coating on Your Interior Concrete Floors

Affordability

Applying an epoxy floor coating will cost between $3 and $10 per square foot, which is quite affordable than the $5- $12 price tag that a high-end concrete staining will cost you.

Versatility

Professionals use epoxy coatings in both residential and commercial projects. Besides, it can be customized to result in a unique design that caters to your preferences.

Ready in Few Hours

Unlike staining, which will take two days for the staining process to be complete, an epoxy coating only needs 12 hours to dry, and you can walk on it within 24 hours. However, curing takes up to 7 days.

Durability

Just like stained concrete, applying an epoxy coating will create a long-lasting protective film that will withstand heavy impact. It can last nearly half a lifetime making it a perfect choice for outdoor spaces and factories where heavy machinery is operating.

There are ways you can maintain your concrete floor. Now that you know what epoxy coating, acid staining, and concrete staining involve, you can make the right decision for your space. 

As discussed, having a professional do the prepping and consultation for you will ensure that you end up with a high-end outcome that will consequently be cost-effective.

Start Today! Call CertaPro Painters for an estimate!!