DECORATIVE CONCRETE
Concrete is well known for its strength and durability. It is mainly used for functional purposes. However, concrete can also be used for decorative purposes to give a good aesthetic feel and good-looking structures. For such purposes, decorative concrete is used. It can be used to give a decorative finish for floors, walls and countertops. The finish is similar to that of polished stone and is less expensive.
The different techniques of concrete decoration are concrete staining and polishing.
1. Concrete staining:
- Acid staining: Acid staining involves a chemical reaction unlike dyeing which is a pigment-based staining system. In acid staining, a mixture of certain salts, acids and water is first applied on the surface of concrete. This is then neutralized using a basic chemical- a solution of water and ammonia. The chemical reaction that takes place with the minerals existing in the concrete, mainly lime, gives new colors to the surface. Use of acid staining gives a unique finish to each slab by creating a mottled or variegated appearance. The color change may vary anywhere between 1/16’’ to 1/32’’. Interior surfaces stain better than exterior surfaces because the latter has been exposed to the environment as a result of which the mineral content gets percolated or leeched. The chemicals that are generally used for acid staining are sodium bicarbonate, iron chloride and Hydrochloric acid.
- Concrete dyes: Concrete dyes are of different compositions and forms. These are used for both, commercial and residential applications of concrete that include floors, walls, countertops, bridges, retaining walls, etc.
- Water-based staining: These stains are similar to acid stains. While some of these give a translucent finish (like acid stains), some give an opaque finish. Water-based staining is different from acid staining as it is a mere coat on the surface of the concrete while acid staining involves a chemical reaction between the minerals of the concrete and the acids. Water based stains come in numerous variations that maybe epoxy, acrylic or polymer based and have wide residential and commercial application
- 2. Concrete Polishing: Polishing of concrete floors is one of the most inexpensive solutions for providing clean floors. The dull grey concrete surfaces, once polished, can look really bright and shiny. Concrete polishing gives various advantages like increased durability, reflectivity and low maintenance. The process involves using concrete densifiers and mechanical grinding tools that have increasing grit sizes of diamond-polishing pads and cup wheels. The process makes the concrete floor harder and denser and this in turn makes the floor more spill and stain resistant. There is no requirement of any additional sealers or coatings. It doesn’t even require any other flooring materials to be used.
- At Colonial Floor and Stone Care, we undertand the new uses for decorative concrete and would like to help you plan the right type of staining for your individual needs.. For Miami/Dade call us for a free estimate and consulatation by our experience technician at 305-731-2242. In Palm Beach county 561-337-1408, Broward county 954-566-4555 and Tamp/St. Petersburg 818-527-9797 and let us come out and discuss your individual needs for your decorative concrete.