As the leading decorative concrete provider in Dallas, TX, the technicians at Rush & Reef Concrete Coatings know the ins and outs of concrete staining and dyeing. Concrete staining and dyeing are two market-leading decorative solutions for residential and commercial concrete applications.
If you want to learn the differences between concrete staining and dyeing, keep reading. Our technicians will also pinpoint which solution is best for your concrete floor.
Call our technicians for a free consultation if you are curious about the staining process and whether a concrete surface needs a sealant.
What Is Concrete Staining?
Concrete staining involves using particulates or pigments inside a suspension liquid, also called a carrier, which is usually water or oil. You can find hundreds of concrete staining solutions in home improvement stores with formulations for different use cases. Most contain resin, water, and pigmented particulates with a texture and color that you can modify to your liking through a digital program.
The Staining Process
When you contact our technicians for concrete staining, we will perform an on-site inspection to ensure that your floors have no cracks, hidden dents, and underlying structural issues. We will clean the topmost surface to help the staining solution adhere to it with no bubbling.
We will spread the mixture throughout the concrete and wait until the carrier liquid evaporates. At that point, you can say hello to your brand-new stained concrete floors.
Is Concrete Staining Suitable for Your Floors?
Staining solutions are resinous, which means they have plant-derived glues that help their particulates adhere to concrete floors. Burnished and smooth surfaces can be hard to coat as staining solutions stick better to surfaces with rougher profiles.
We do not recommend staining epoxy-coated and soft flooring materials, such as rubber and cork tiles. Smooth-surfaced hard floors like vinyl and asphalt tile can also be challenging to stain.
Concrete surfaces that are brushed, textured, hand-troweled, or stamped lend themselves better to staining. Most staining solutions have a longer drying time, allowing technicians to modify their appearance via sponging, layering, and other faux-finishing techniques. Staining also helps DIYers correct application mistakes, such as spills, over-spraying, and uneven layering.
How Long Does Stained Concrete Last?
Concrete staining is the best decorative solution for outdoor floors and walls. Staining solutions are UV-stable, so they will not fade or discolor even after decades of direct sunlight exposure. Their weatherproof nature maintains the appearance of natural stone landscapes through countless seasonal shifts and adverse weather.
What Is Concrete Dyeing?
The concrete dyeing process is nearly identical to staining, but the carrier liquid contains pigmented particulates that are exponentially smaller than those in staining solutions. Concrete dyes are usually water-based, but you can also find variants with alcohol and acetone bases that can corrode certain floor types. Most technicians think of dyes as inks and staining solutions as paints.
The nearly microscopic particulates inside a concrete dyeing solution allow colors to seep through the innermost layers of a porous concrete surface. Dyes can adhere to floors and walls that repel most staining solutions. Overall, they are a more versatile option for property owners who want to decorate polished and burnished floors.
Applications for Concrete Dyes
Concrete dyes work best on smooth surfaces that a staining solvent will not cover, such as concrete countertops, islands, and ceilings. They also cure almost instantaneously, leaving DIYers and contractors little margin for error. Our technicians can spray and cover over 1,000 square meters of concrete in less than half an hour.
Concrete dyes have a smaller color range than stains but generally provide a more vibrant appearance. Solvent-based solutions typically produce a translucent and monotone look, similar to an opaque stain on floors. Water-based variants attempt to mimic the appearance of chemical staining, producing more variegation and marbling.
Our technicians usually create bespoke visual effects through custom brushes, rollers, and sprayers, as requested by our clients.
How Long Do Concrete Dyes Last?
Concrete dyes are not weatherproof or UV-stable. They will fade, yellow, and peel under direct sunlight. They are not a good choice for sidewalks, patios, and other outdoor areas but are ideal for indoor use.
Contact the Concrete Staining and Dyeing Experts
Unlock your property’s design potential by contacting Rush & Reef Concrete Coatings in Dallas, TX. Our epoxy and flake products come with a lifetime warranty and our metallic products with a ten-year warranty. Call us today at (469) 389-5807 to get a free consultation for concrete staining or dyeing.
