Staining concrete is an effective and inexpensive way to give an entirely new look to old concrete. While there are other ways out there to decorate concrete many of them are cost prohibitive. This cost is because many of them require that the concrete is either ripped out or that overlays are applied. Staining makes use of the concrete that already exists which saves you the expenses which would be involved in removing it or adding new concrete.

While the process of staining concrete is relatively simple it will require some research and planning to get the correct type of stain for your application. Acid stains and acrylic stains are the two main types of concrete stains. Both of these types of stains work differently. Concrete acid stains react to the lime at the surface of the concrete to produce color. Acrylic stains produce color by seeping into the pores of the concrete. The type of stain you use will determine the look you get. What is right for you will depend on your particular application and preference.

Acid stains are much more unpredictable than acrylic stains. Because of the way that it works it is almost impossible to really know how it will look in the end. When you use an acid stain you will get color variations and a surface with a very natural look. This will give you lots of charm and beauty. You will not always want to use an acid stain. If your concrete has a lot of flaws acid stains can actually make them more noticeable. Some people will like this look while others will not. Acrylic stains will be your best choice if your concrete is more than 15 years old. This is because lime washes out of your concrete over time and the color acids give is caused by a reaction to lime. You will probably not get the desired results if you apply acid stain to old concrete.