If you’re looking for a way to liven up or revitalize your outdoor living spaces, consider concrete stains. Stained concrete patios can update the whole look and feel of your home in a cost-effective way. You can add subtle hints of color or saturated color, design accents, and lots of other patterns and effects to achieve the look you want. The concrete stain deeply penetrates the concrete surface for color that is permanent, fade-resistant, and won’t flake or peel like regular paint.
What is the best stain for stained concrete patios?
The concrete stain that’s best for your project depends greatly on the desired look you want to achieve, that said you can choose from either acid-based chemical stains or water-based stains, but what’s the difference?
Acid Stains for Concrete
Acid stains work by penetrating the surface of the concrete and producing a chemical reaction with the concrete. The acid stain lightly etches the concrete’s surface allowing it to penetrate more easily. After this chemical reaction occurs, the resulting color becomes a permanent part of the concrete slab, and won’t fade or chip off. Also, acid stains generally produce earthy tones like tan, brown, terra cotta, and sometimes soft blues and greens.
Water-Based Stains for Concrete
Water-based stains for concrete are available in a wider range of hues, including even black and white, and metallic options. Much like acid stains, these water-based options penetrate the concrete surface to create permanent color ranging from translucent and subtle to opaque and dramatic.
Prepping Your Patio for Concrete Stain
The great thing about stained concrete patios is that they are a quick way to give your outdoor living space a cost-friendly makeover. That said, if you want to have great results, you’ll need to make sure you adequately prep the patio surface to best receive the concrete stain. Because concrete stains are somewhat translucent, they don’t hide imperfections or unwanted marks left behind by dirt, oil, grease, or weathering.
You can often remove oil and other stains from concrete surfaces by using a strong detergent and a scrub brush. For more intense stains, you can try a concrete cleanser to break down the oil. One your surface has been cleaned and prepped, you can add the concrete stain.
Stained Concrete Patio Colors
One of the best things about stained concrete is the endless options for color and style that come with it. Spice up the look of your outdoor patio with a stain color that will complement your home exterior and decor preferences. Find a simple hue to go with, or mix colors for a bolder, more unique look. If your patio is stamped concrete, a natural colored stain can help enhance the patterns to make them look more realistic.
Finding the Right Supplies for Your Stained Concrete Patio Project
If you’re taking on a stained concrete patio project, find concrete stains, tools, and everything else you could possibly need at Power Rental & Sales. We stock the best products in concrete to ensure you or your contractors get the best results every time.