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Concrete coatings have been a flooring staple in commercial decor for decades, but up until recently it hasn’t been a common option for residential flooring. Luckily, things are changing and the best kept commercial flooring secret has made its way into homes across the country.
Whether you’re tired of the boring gray concrete floors in your basement and garage, or you’re looking for a durable alternative to carpet, hardwood and vinyl tiles, concrete floor coatings offer a durable and attractive finish that can be easily customized.
Types of Popular Concrete Floor Coatings
The term “coating,” as it relates to concrete flooring, refers to any liquid or semi-liquid material that can be applied to cured concrete. While this term can also be said to include cleaners and primers, it generally refers to one or more of the following products:
Acid or Water Based Stains
Acid-based stains are a mixture of water, hydrochloric acid, and acid-soluble metallic salts. They work by reacting chemically with the hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) below the surface of the concrete. The acid in the stain lightly etches the surface, clearing the way for the metallic salts to penetrate the concrete. The metallic salts then react with elements in the concrete, producing color. Once the stain has reacted with the concrete, it becomes a permanent part of it.
Water based stains are typically a blend of acrylic polymers and pigments. The end result is much more predictable because this type of stain doesn’t rely on a chemical reaction to produce color. Water based stains also produce a more opaque and vibrant finish than acid-based stains.
Because they penetrate so far into the concrete, acid and water based stains produce a long-lasting finish that resists mildew and damage from UV rays and heavy traffic. Acid-based stains produce translucent muted tones that mimic natural stone, wood grain or metal oxidation. Water based stains produce a brighter and more consistent tone and are available in wider range of colors.
Concrete Dyes
Concrete dye comes in both water based and solvent form. Much like acid and water based stains, concrete dye penetrates the concrete surface rather than sitting on top. Water based dyes have a marbled or variegated finish, while solvent-based dyes produce a much more uniform finish.
Concrete dye penetrates more deeply than concrete stain, due to its smaller particles, but it is not UV-stable and will fade quickly when regularly exposed to sunlight.
Tinted Sealers
Tinted concrete sealers produce a glossy finish with color suspended within. As with dyes, concrete sealer comes in water and solvent based forms. Both forms produce a semi-translucent finish, but water based sealer will produce a nearly transparent finish that is good for very subtle effects. Tinted concrete sealer can either be purchased premixed or custom created using tint concentrates.
Meet Jeff and Maria
We feel strongly at J. Stevens Painting that our experience and work speaks for itself. Whatever kind of painting you’re looking for, J. Stevens Painting offers a wide range of services to help you with all of your painting needs.
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As a locally owned and operated business, we take pride in our commitment to providing exceptional customer service. We work closely with you throughout the entire process, from color selection to project completion, to ensure your vision is realized.
Concrete floor coatings are extremely versatile materials that can recreate the effect of multiple finishes and designs. They can even be used to mimic more expensive flooring types like hardwood, marble, granite and ceramic mosaic tile. If you’re looking for something a little more outside the box, concrete floor coatings have you covered there too. Call J. Stevens Painting today!