Ways to Stain or Dye Concrete

Staining concrete is becoming a popular option to redo floors. It is less costly than choosing marble or hardwood. This is because the concrete directly can be stained. There is no need to add another material on top. Concrete staining can make dull floors look brighter and livelier.
There are multiple types of staining options available. Some of them are listed below with descriptions and benefits.
1) Acid staining
Acid staining is done by introducing acid to the surface of the concrete. It penetrates into the surface of the concrete. The acid then reacts with the calcium hydroxide in the concrete.
This reaction causes the acid to stain the concrete by etching its surface and by letting the metallic salts to penetrate the concrete. After this process, the stain becomes permanent. This means that it will not fade or peel off.
Before you choose to stain your concrete floor with acid stains, you may want to ensure that the surface of the floor is smoothened out.
The result from acid staining may vary in color and finishing. This is because the results depend largely on the condition of the floor. Acid stains are translucent and the end color may vary from one part of the room to the other. It is this quality of acid stains which make it look more attractive. The stained floor will have numerous color variations giving it a very unique look.

Acid stains usually appear in earthy tones. After the staining process you may need to apply a clear sealer. The sealer will seal the color stain as well as the finishing of the floor.
Something to look out for is that sometimes acid stain colors can be deceptive. The acid may appear a certain color in liquid form, but when the process is complete and the acid has reacted with the floor, the resulting color may be completely different. It is a good idea to test the stain in a small corner of the floor before staining the whole floor.
Another important point is that the concrete may change color slightly after it has been allowed to rest for 24 hours. This means that the color which the acid stains right after the chemical reaction may vary slightly after the next 24 hours.
2) Water based stains
Water-based stains are the second type of stains used to color concrete floors. These can either be used alone or in a combination with acid stains.
Water based stains are available in either powder or liquid form. You can choose the intensity of the stain by choosing to use part or whole of the staining material. For deeper colors you will need to use the whole pack. Like acid stains it is a good idea to test the stain in a small corner of the floor before mass application.
3) Acrylic stains
The acrylic stains are relatively easier to achieve than the other two options. The best part about acrylic stains is that the result will be the same color as that of the liquid in the bottle.
Staining your floor with acrylic is a better option than painting, as unlike paints, the stain will not chip or peel away. A stained floor is more durable than a painted one