The Pros and Cons of Stained Concrete

Blog
The Pros and Cons of Stained Concrete

Learn More

Applications

Locations

Masonry

Client Type

Staining concrete is a popular way to enhance any concrete floor, indoor or outdoor. If you’re considering staining your concrete, you’ll want to be sure that this is the right process for you.

We’ve compiled a list of the advantages and disadvantages of staining your concrete to help! Continue reading to learn more about stained concrete, and if you want it for your home or business.

Pros

Beautiful Appearance

The most noticeable pro of concrete staining is the beautiful appearance that it gives your concrete. As stains are available in acid- or water-based, they come in many different colors. A concrete stain can liven up any indoor or outdoor space. Using a concrete stain, you can match virtually any decor or design scheme, rather than having gray concrete that sticks out among your space.

The effects and patterns that can be created using concrete stains vary from the most straightforward solid color to intricate designs and shapes. No matter what kind of look you’re going for, stained concrete has an option that will enhance it.

Customization

There is almost no limit to the patterns and designs that can be made using stained concrete. The only real limit when it comes to designing a look for your concrete is yourself. There is a myriad of colors available for concrete stains that allow for complete creative control.

Concrete stains can be used to create practically any pattern, including tiled, mottled, faux finishes, marbleized, and more! Stains can even be combined to create unique effects on the concrete that paint and other coatings cannot duplicate. When it comes to customization options, stained concrete is a top competitor.

Compatibility

Concrete stains are one of the few decorative concrete options that can be combined with other decorative techniques. Some of these include stamped concrete, concrete scoring, and polished concrete. Many of these options can be stained before or after installation depending on the look that you want.

Stamped concrete is the exception in that it should be stained after stamping it. However, with scoring or polishing, it’s based purely on the pattern or look that you want to create for your concrete.

Affordability

Stained concrete is one of the most affordable options for enhancing concrete as well. There may be some cheaper options to cover your concrete, such as carpet or laminate, but the longevity of these products cannot compete with that of concrete. Your carpet or laminate will wear out long before the underlying concrete needs replacing.

Staining your concrete floor allows you to make the most of the surface that you already have without investing in another floor. A quality concrete stain is not overly expensive and will last for years, making it extremely cost-effective in the long run.

Increase the Value of Your Property

Staining the concrete surfaces in or around your property will instantly add curb appeal and increase its value. Potential buyers are not always impressed with seeing plain gray concrete when you’re looking to sell your home or commercial property.

With the affordability of concrete stains, you can add value to your property without dropping a substantial amount of money. This means that if you do choose to sell, you’ll get a higher return on investment for this simple home improvement project.

Energy-efficient

Stained concrete typically absorbs and holds heat and cold during cooler and warmer seasons. This absorption helps to conserve energy as it releases the right temperature based on the seasons.

This quality of stained concrete assists in regulating the electricity needed for your HVAC system to heat and cool your home. Preserving power like this will result in tons of savings on energy bills over the years.

Ease of Maintenance

When stained concrete is installed correctly, it doesn’t usually require intensive maintenance. Concrete stains are quite simple and easy to maintain as the surface becomes smoother from the staining process. All that this style of concrete floor needs is regular sweeping and the occasional wet mopping to keep it looking fresh and clean.

The frequency of cleaning depends on the amount of foot or equipment traffic that your space will be subject to. However, regardless of how often you have to clean, it’s a quick and easy task for anyone!

Environmentally-friendly

Since you’re making the most out of the floor that you already have, stained concrete is inherently environmentally-friendly. There is no excessive waste that comes with applying the stain. With other conventional flooring systems, such as hardwood, carpet, and tile, there is typically a high amount of waste left over after the installation process.

When staining, you simply need enough stain to cover the concrete, there is no need to buy more than you need to supplement the possibility of defects like other floorings. Not to mention, concrete stains don’t contain volatile organic compounds, making it safer for the environment, you, and your family or employees.

Flexibility

If you choose that stained concrete is not the best choice for your space down the road, an alternative flooring can still be applied over the top of it. There are no expensive removal costs involved with stained concrete, unlike other flooring systems such as tile, hardwood, or paint. If you decide that you would like a different floor later, the installation process will be the same as long as your concrete is still in good working condition.

Cons

Doesn’t Enhance Performance

A concrete stain is simply for aesthetics. This product doesn’t improve the concrete’s durability, longevity, or resistance in any way. Many other concrete coatings will enhance the durability and lifespan of the underlying concrete while also protecting it.

Concrete stains are only used to increase the aesthetic appeal of the concrete, offering no other structural benefits. If your concrete is frequently subjected to damaging substances or constant wear and tear, it may be better to choose a protective coating, like epoxy.

Doesn’t Cover Imperfections

Unlike other coatings or concrete paint, stains are semi-transparent. This transparency doesn’t hide any imperfections in the concrete or repairs. A stain can actually call attention to flaws by highlighting them. If there are any cracks or discolored areas on the floor, they can shine through the stain.

This is why it’s vital to make sure that the floor’s surface has been adequately prepared before the stain is applied. If you’re concrete is extensively damaged or colored unevenly, you may be better off opting for a different refinishing option.

Not Do-it-yourself Friendly

There are plenty of flooring options that are DIY friendly, such as carpet, laminate, or vinyl. Though many home or business owners choose to have a professional handle the installation of these materials, they can be done yourself. However, concrete staining requires an experienced hand to apply correctly.

Once the first layer of stain is on the concrete, there’s not much time to manipulate it with tools before it sets. After it sets, there’s nothing that can be done to change how it looks. Some patterns, such as marbleized or faux finish patterns, need even more attention to detail to pull off correctly. This is not a project for someone without experience, it’s highly recommended that you hire an experienced concrete contractor for your stained concrete project.

Unpredictable

Concrete stains can produce fantastic effects that create beautiful appearances for your concrete. However, the final look and shade of the color of your concrete can be unpredictable. It can be quite challenging to match a stain that you’ve seen online or in a magazine precisely due to this unpredictability.

There is a way to help with this, though. You can test a small part of your concrete with the stain before you apply it to the whole floor to get a better idea of how it will react with your concrete.

Acid-based Color Availability

Acid-based stains react with your concrete on a chemical level, which can be used to better produce unique effects on the floor. However, the color selection for acid-based stains is relatively limited.

These stains are only available in earth tones, like deep red, brown, and dark orange. An acid-based stain is also considered to be more long-lasting and resistant to fading than water-based stains. So, the drawback of this stain is whether you want to sacrifice performance for more colors or not.

Final Thoughts

The pros of stained concrete greatly outweigh the cons. However, each of the disadvantages of stained concrete can be a significant hindrance, depending on the situation. It’s best to keep all of the pros and cons of this decorative concrete option in mind while making the decision of whether or not it’s right for you.

So long as the few disadvantages of this flooring system will not hurt your home or business, stained concrete can be the perfect addition to your space. For its affordable price, you’ll get beauty, customization, and simple maintenance for years to come! However, the decision is ultimately up to you. We wish you the best in your future concrete projects!