What are the Acid Stained Concrete Floors exactly?

Published: 11th May 2011
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Acid stains are water based acidic solutions which contain metallic salts. These salts react with the lime on the concrete to be able to create a colour. Acid staining is permanent and the chemical reaction that causes the colour will likely not chip or remove. If you're acid staining your concrete floors, they will likely needs to be protected using sealers and/or floor wax. Anti slip sealers may be purchased if you are worried about safety.

Acid staining needs to be done on concrete floors that were allowed to cure for at least 30 days. Curing compounds should not be used. If you are using an existing floor, being aware that acid staining is built to enhance the concrete, not hide it. This means that cracks, stains, blemishes, or any other flaws will not be hidden. In some cases this is a good thing and will only accentuate the design that the acid staining creates. If you will need a flawless floor, you will be able to have a thin cement overlay cover your concrete to provide you with a fresh base.


Using Acid Stained Concrete Floors

Acid staining is perfect for creating all sorts of looks and effects on floors due to the huge range of different colours available as well as the ability to create a wide variety of patterns. For example, you decide to have a floor that's one solid colour or you could mix colours to produce patterns that mimic polished marble, leather, natural stone, or even wood. Acid stained concrete floors also are versatile as you can use them inside or outside the home.

The entire process of acid staining your floors is inherently unpredictable as the final result depends on things such as age of the concrete, the types of acids and salts that you're using, the aggregates on the cement, the temperature and humidity levels at the time of staining, and how the concrete is sealed and buffed once the staining is done. Nevertheless, this is a desirable thing to many people and an inherent part of the appeal of acid Stained Concrete Floors.

Acid staining needs to be done on concrete floors that were allowed to cure for at least 30 days. Curing compounds should not be used. If you are using an existing floor, being aware that acid staining is built to enhance the concrete, not hide it. This means that cracks, stains, blemishes, or any other flaws will not be hidden. In some cases this is a good thing and will only accentuate the design that the acid staining creates. If you will need a flawless floor, you will be able to have a thin cement overlay cover your concrete to provide you with a fresh base.

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