Ever wonder how polished concrete got colors? Coloring and decorating a polished concrete was made possible through the use of stains that react and bond with the chemical properties of concrete. Stains come in different varieties and types depending on the process of concrete polishing one has in mind. Stains that are used in decorative concrete polishing come in liquid emulsion form for reasons of ease of operations and budget savings.
The most common type of concrete staining is the use of colorants which are combined with the concrete mix prior to hardening. These colorants are bonded with the concrete aggregates thus resulting in a colored appearance. Such colorants are found to be Iron Oxides which are commonly used during past and present concrete coloring applications. Iron pigment Oxides are first used during prehistoric times in art caves.
Acid staining is a process of concrete coloring that are widely being used nowadays because of its aesthetic appeal and economic savings. The color is produced by combining an acid solution of water, acid and salt onto the newly prepared concrete surface. The acid solution reacts with the concrete (preferably the lime content in it) thus producing a unique marble-like color in the surface.
Before the acid staining process, the concrete is thoroughly prepared to be able to accept the acid mixture. Newly poured concrete needs not to be prepared. Old concrete needs to be grounded down to reveal a polished surface. Loose aggregates and cracks should also be removed as they do not accept acid staining. An old concrete should also be void of previously acid stained surface as it does not accept acid stain either.
Unlike acid staining which is merely a chemical reaction, water based stains are tints and dyes that are directly applied onto a concrete surface. These types are most advisable when creating with a specific design on the concrete surface. Water based stains range from translucent to opaque color applications.
The most common type of concrete staining is the use of colorants which are combined with the concrete mix prior to hardening. These colorants are bonded with the concrete aggregates thus resulting in a colored appearance. Such colorants are found to be Iron Oxides which are commonly used during past and present concrete coloring applications. Iron pigment Oxides are first used during prehistoric times in art caves.
Acid staining is a process of concrete coloring that are widely being used nowadays because of its aesthetic appeal and economic savings. The color is produced by combining an acid solution of water, acid and salt onto the newly prepared concrete surface. The acid solution reacts with the concrete (preferably the lime content in it) thus producing a unique marble-like color in the surface.
Before the acid staining process, the concrete is thoroughly prepared to be able to accept the acid mixture. Newly poured concrete needs not to be prepared. Old concrete needs to be grounded down to reveal a polished surface. Loose aggregates and cracks should also be removed as they do not accept acid staining. An old concrete should also be void of previously acid stained surface as it does not accept acid stain either.
Unlike acid staining which is merely a chemical reaction, water based stains are tints and dyes that are directly applied onto a concrete surface. These types are most advisable when creating with a specific design on the concrete surface. Water based stains range from translucent to opaque color applications.
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Coloring your concrete floor is indeed an exciting way to liven up any space. One is faced with a variety of color staining process for his concrete polishing project. Mercie Hallow, an Interior Designer suggests learning more about colorants in concrete polishing to determine the excellent application that suits your concrete floor.
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