Color Options

Acid Stains are made up of a very weak hydrochloric acid and metallic salt solution.  They react chemically with concrete to change the color.  Offering a weathered, variegated, mottled appearance with rich color variation.  Colors are limited to earth tones and can be diluted to achieve lighter shades and different coloring effects.

Dyes can be used to achieve an almost solid monotone color, to highlight, blend, or combine multiple colors for a unique multicolored floor.  Available in a much wider variety of colors than acid stains.  

Water Based Stains are versatile, UV Stable and available in a wide variety of colors.  Several different colors can be applied wet on wet to achieve some blending/marbling or a single color can be used at varying concentrations to achieve a look similar to acid stain.  They mask blemishes in concrete better than acid stains and dyes.
 

The Look
Because each floor is hand crafted we have the ability to customize every floor. View some of our work in our photo gallery for ideas.  We also encourage you to search the internet for photos of concrete floors you like, they are incredibly helpful in determining colors & techniques.  The look desired and current condition of the concrete are important in determining which ones to use.  While most concrete can be stained, not all concrete will look great with staining alone. 

 

Benefits of Stained Concrete Flooring:

• ​Increase indoor air quality

• Easy to sanitize & clean

• Ultradurable floor finish

• Unlimited design/customization 

• Little to no maintenance

• Never need to be replaced

• No off-gassing/chemical leaching

• Environmentally friendly

• Never needs to be waxed

• Flood safe- no water damage

​

​

​

​

Concrete that is badly damaged, stained or contaminated can usually benefit from the application of a concrete overlay or micro-topping.  Floors that previously had carpet typically fall into this category. Sometimes our grind & stain system also works well if only the top surface of the concrete is affected.  Click to learn more about Concrete Overlays and our Grind & Stain System. 

​

What if my basement floods after heavy rain?

Stained concrete floors are an excellent choice for at-risk basements that experience occasional water issues.  It will not solve or correct water issues but they will not be harmed in a flooding event, hold moisture or cause explosive mold growth like many floor coverings. 

​

What if I had an interior drainage system installed?

No problem, we regularly use our overlay system in these situations.  First we grind the concrete to prepare the surface, make any repairs to the concrete and then apply several thin layers of overlay.  This gives us a fresh uniform canvas ready for color.

We design our systems to be breathable enough to allow moisture to pass through when excessive levels exist.  Unlike epoxy and other heavy mill coatings that completely seal off the concrete up to a point, at which coating failure is inevitable.   

​

Do you seal the floor after staining?

Absolutely, We use only the toughest sealer on our stained floors to make sure they last a lifetime.   It's made right here in MN, environmentally friendly, no odor and Low VOC.  We apply a plural-component water based Urethane with Aluminum oxide after coloring is complete.  Never needs to be waxed! In the typical residential environment it's very unlikely the floor will need to be resealed.  In high traffic commercial environments the floor should be assessed every 3-7 years and recoated as needed.