Smith Lake Stained Floors

Advantages Of Stained Concrete Floors Smith Lake AL 

Stained concrete floors come with a host of benefits and plenty of good qualities. Below are some of them.

1. Low maintenance– Maintaining these floors is relatively easy; all you need to do is seal or wax the surface every three to nine months to prevent the protective layer from chipping.
2. Easy to clean- These floors don’t trap dust, dirt, or allergens; therefore, a little sweeping and mopping can keep them looking as good as new.
3. Durability– Stained concrete floors are exceedingly hard and resistant to wear and tear; therefore, damaging them is difficult. Scratching it alone takes a lot of hard work; this is why they last longer.
4. Beautiful design options– Several stains, stain colors, designs, and patterns are guaranteed to get you any look you wish to achieve. Surface treatments like concrete stains, acid stains, and paint give plain concrete floors a different and beautiful touch.
5. Heated floors– During new construction, you can add radiant heat- electrical cables or hot water tubes embedded in the concrete to create warm, comfy floors in your home.
6. Affordable- Stained concrete flooring is a cost-friendly option; it costs less than tile or hardwood. The overall cost depends on the complexity of the design and the square forage of the space. 

Residential Stained Concrete Floors

There are a variety of possible stained concrete floor styles that can accompany just about any home décor and be used in any room in the house. Residential applications of stained concrete floors are most notable in:

Patios- Most homeowners prefer stained concrete floors for their patios because they are versatile. They can be transformed into a more elegant look using different stain colors, design accents, and custom graphics. 

Basements- The basement floors in the majority of homes today are made of concrete. Instead of overlaying the floors with tiles, panels, or paint, most homeowners prefer to keep the original concrete floor then stain it to protect it and make it pop. 

Commercial Stained Concrete Floors

Concrete stained floors are popular in commercial areas mainly because of their strength and durability. They can withstand high traffic conditions over the years, thus saving business owners a lot of money that could have otherwise been spent in replacing flooring every now.  These floors can also be easily customized to complement a company’s theme.  Some of the commercial areas where stained concrete floors are used include:

• Restaurants- Stained concrete flooring is well-suited for cafeterias, cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, and diners. 
• Breweries and wine bistros- These environments are prone to spills; stained concrete floors are a preferred option because they are easy to keep clean.
•  Offices- Stained concrete floors offer an attractive and functional flooring alternative for an office setting.
• Schools- Educational institutions and museums are currently using stained concrete floors as they can’t be destroyed by the significant foot traffic and come at a minimal cost.

How Concrete Floors Are Stained

Staining concrete floors is a fast, easy, and safe procedure, especially if you get assistance from a professional team of contractors. Here are some basic steps you can follow to stain concrete successfully.

Step 1:  Surface Preparation

You should begin by scraping up all the lightly adhered paint or mastic, sweeping the concrete thoroughly, and then cleaning it with a solution of Tri-sodium phosphate (TSP). The goal of the entire staining process is to get the stain into the pores of the concrete. Therefore, you should make sure that you clean up all debris that may come in the way of that. Also, test for porosity with water throughout the slab; the water should penetrate rapidly.  

Step 2: Test The Stain 

Next, do a stain sample test; it will give you a rough idea of how the stain will look. On a small corner of the concrete, apply a small amount of stain in a circular motion using a sponge. Check after 30 minutes; if you don’t like how it appears, you can either dilute it or intensify it to meet your desired ratio. 

Step 3: Stain Application 

It’s important to note that staining can only be done on fully cured concrete. As such, if your concrete is still new, you will have to wait for about 4-6 weeks before beginning the staining process to give it time to cure. However, if you have an old concrete surface, then you can start applying the stain. First, you should tape off areas you don’t want to stain, such as door frames and walls. You can use masking tape or any water-resistant cover material for this purpose. The stain is mainly applied using a sprayer; you can use a brush for areas that require precision. 

Step 4: Allow The Stain To Dry

After applying the stain, you should give it ample time to dry. Drying time ranges between 15-20 minutes depending on the stain and stain color and physical conditions like temperature, humidity, and airflow. The best time to conclude that the stain has fully set in is after 24hours. 

Step 4: Sealant Application 

Once the stained concrete has dried, add two protective coats of a sealer, preferably the manufacture- recommended one. In addition to the sealer, you can apply wax to bring out the stain colors and protect the floor from scuffs and scratches. 

Contact Smith Lake Concrete Services for all your Concrete Staining Needs in Smith Lake AL. EST 1995