Stained concrete is very durable and robust. After all, it’s made up of solid concrete, bridges, and other vital infrastructure, so shouldn’t it support heavy foot traffic in both commercial and residential areas? If you’re recalling different contractors and looking at stained concrete flooring, there are two basic types to think about: stamped concrete and dyed concrete. Here’s a look at each one.
Stamped concrete is precisely what the name implies: a pattern imprinted right on the concrete itself. This type of flooring is pretty durable and strong, but only if you choose a reputable company for your job. As with any other kind of flooring, you’ll have better luck with a contractor who specializes in stamped concrete than one who handles a variety of other projects. It’s critical that you have someone who understands how this kind of flooring can withstand heavy foot traffic and that won’t require too much maintenance over time.
You’ll also want to take a close look at the sealers used. In many cases, stained concrete is sealed with a polyurethane additive, which will protect the floor while still allowing moisture to move around. Other sealers will use either a silicone-based sealer or an acrylic sealer. Silicone based sealers will prevent the concrete from cracking under certain stresses, and acrylic sealers will keep water from leaking out into the space between the floor and the surrounding walls. While these two sealers are more common in commercial settings, you may find them used on residential floors as well.
There are a number of other things to watch out for when choosing sealers for stained concrete. For example, make sure that the sealer you use doesn’t create a stain. This can be especially problematic if dirt is already in the space between the floor and walls. If you have cracked walls, then dirt, sand, or other particles may be able to seep through to the floor beneath it. If not, then your best option will be a good sealer to prevent stains from forming.
Watch out for the water that causes the concrete floors looking old. Excess water will settle into the spaces between the floor and walls, causing the colors to fade. While you can use an absorbent cloth to soak up the water that causes your floor to look worn, you may not be able to remove stains with this method. To remove stains, you’ll need to use a cleaning agent such as a chemical stripper or a car shampoo. These cleaning agents will break up the dirt and grime so that it can easily be removed from the surface.
Stained concrete can be a tough job, but it can be done if you have the proper tools and ingredients. Using the right detergents to stain your floors can help get rid of the grease stains that are common with the staining process. Dynamic concrete pumping equipment helps make sure that the right amount of water is used during the staining process. It can also reduce the amount of time it takes to get the entire area looking good, even after the first coat has dried.
Before starting your project, make sure to use the correct cleaner on the surface of your flooring. Using a cleaner that’s too harsh or acidic can do more harm than good. It can actually dissolve the concrete, causing areas where the staining wasn’t very deep to become lighter than the rest of the area. By using the correct detergent and cleanser, you’ll ensure that the surface of your floor remains free of any stains for as long as possible.
When it comes to durability, this type of staining concrete is definitely an improvement over having to seal and repair previously stained concrete surfaces. It provides a much higher degree of resistance to staining, which saves you money and time. If you’re worried about durability, however, simply consider the fact that these surfaces don’t need to be sealed like other types of surfaces do. If anything, they only need to be cleaned and repaired whenever they become stained. For added protection, it’s recommended that you apply a coating of polyurethane over the surface of your newly stained concrete.