Concrete

Staining.

Concrete staining penetrates the slab to create rich, marbled, variegated color that no two floors will ever share. We seal every stained floor for durability and easy cleaning.

How the System Is Built

The actual layers and materials — and why each one matters for the finished floor.

1. 1
   Surface prep (open the slab)

   Unlike opaque coatings, stain needs to penetrate the concrete, not bond to a profile. We use a light grind or chemical etch — never a CSP-3 profile — so the slab remains receptive to color.

2. 2
   Acid or water-based stain

   Acid stains react chemically with lime in the concrete to produce rich, variegated, mineral colors (browns, greens, blacks). Water-based stains are pigment-driven, offering wider color choice and more predictable results. We pick based on the look.

3. 3
   Neutralize and rinse

   Acid stains are neutralized with a baking soda solution and rinsed thoroughly so no residual acid remains under the sealer.

4. 4
   Clear sealer (interior or exterior)

   Interior floors get a water- or solvent-based acrylic, or a polyaspartic for high-traffic commercial. Exterior floors get a UV-stable breathable sealer that handles freeze-thaw.

Benefits

What this system actually delivers in daily use.

• Every stained floor is one of a kind — color reacts uniquely to each slab
• Translucent finish lets concrete's natural texture and character show through
• Sealed surface resists stains, dirt, and most household spills
• Significantly lower cost per square foot than polished concrete or full epoxy buildup
• Interior or exterior — works on driveways, patios, warehouses, restaurants, modern living spaces
• Easy to refresh: a single re-sealer coat every few years restores depth

Our Process for Concrete Staining

Step-by-step from consultation through return-to-service.

1. 1
   Slab assessment

   We test the slab's stain receptivity, age, and any existing coatings or sealers. Old slabs with topical residue need extra prep.

2. 2
   Light profile and clean

   Light grind or chemical etch, full dust/residue removal.

3. 3
   Stain application

   Acid stain applied in coordinated passes for color movement, or water-based stain in deliberate patterns for designed effect.

4. 4
   Neutralize, rinse, dry

   Acid stains neutralized and rinsed. The slab fully dries before any sealer goes down.

5. 5
   Seal and cure

   Sealer applied in 1-2 coats based on environment. Light foot traffic same day; full service 24-48 hours.

What to Expect

Stained concrete is the lowest-build finish we offer — you keep the concrete look, you keep the trowel marks and character, you just add color and sealed protection. Maintenance is dust-mop and damp-mop. Indoor sealers typically need a refresh every 5-7 years; outdoor sealers every 2-4 years because of UV and weather. The DFW-specific note: water-based stains tend to perform more reliably than acid stains on the high-fly-ash concrete common in newer Texas slabs, because the chemistry of acid stain depends on free lime content that's reduced in fly-ash mixes. We sample-test before quoting the look.

Common Questions

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