Decorative Treatments for Concrete Floors: A ... - PaintSquare

10Concrete Stains and Dyes:Surveying the Color SpectrumMixing and matching of chemistries, substrates inspirescreation of varied artistic interpretationsBy Howard Jancy, Butterfield Color Inc.Concrete can be reguarded as an inherently attractive building material, onethat conveys the natural impression of stone as a resultof its composition,mass and relative performance. With the addition of natural-looking colorvariations, concrete can be given the look of stone in an even more realisticand visually interesting way.The use of concrete stains can prove to be a highly effective technique for reproducingcolors often found in natural earth and rock. When combined with simple and creativeapplication techniques, stains allow for trulyunique concrete installations that complement avariety of hardscape and flooring designs.Stains can also prove quite useful in creatingfinishes that convey a more contemporary, customizedappearance. The use of stains has helpedmake concrete floors, countertops, and walls verymuch in demand.Stains can facilitate the innovative use of concretein both interior and exterior construction, aswe will seek to illustrate in the following discussion.We will address product selection, surfacepreparation, application techniques, and maintenanceas they relate to application of stains to concrete.The materialsStains for use on concrete include three types:chemically reactive stains, non-reactive stains anddyes, and opaque stains.Chemically reactive stainsConcrete can be colored during installation or afterit is fully cured or hardened. Coloring processesemployed following cure involve topically appliedstains or dyes. Depending on the stain, mattled,variegated earth tones or opaque, vibrant col-