High Tech Surface Solutions

As more and more people are becoming aware of the attractiveness and practicality of using concrete floors in their living and working spaces, stained and sealed concrete is becoming increasingly popular. There are acid stains and concrete dyes that have been developed to add color to concrete. Often I am asked about the difference between using acid stains and concrete dyes in the coloring process.

To put it simply, acid stains react with and change the color of the concrete, while concrete dyes simply add their color to  the concrete. While there are advantages and disadvantages to both processes, either process can deliver a unique and beautiful finished product. Sometimes we combine processes on the same floor and really get creative!

The metallic chlorides suspended in acid stains react with free (chemically active) calcium in the concrete to change the actual color of the concrete's surface. This reaction can be affected by trace minerals in the concrete, by temperature, humidity and sometimes I think it’s affected by the phase of the moon and the alignment of the planets! Not only do different slabs turn out differently using the same product, I have seen the color of sections of the same slab turn out differently using the same product on different days. This is not necessarily a bad thing. This is simply part of the beauty and mystique of using acid stains to color a floor. You won’t know what your finished product is going to look like until you seal it.

Concrete dyes are colloidal suspensions of color pigments. Done right they penetrate into the concrete’s surface and stay there. The color intensity can be controlled by the color density of the dye. Keep in mind that you are adding color to the existing color of the concrete. You want to preserve the character of the concrete. Add too much color and you have “painted” the floor. When properly applied, these dyes create a beautiful effect and give you a lot more versatility and predictability regarding color selection. They also are a good choice for concrete that has been contaminated or discolored.

Either way, the colored floor has to be protected with a good sealer. There are a lot of choices and this is where you better do your homework or at least know that your applicator has done his (or hers). The wrong sealer, or the right sealer improperly applied, can turn your project into a nightmare you can’t wake up from. I’ll write more about sealers later.

 Jim Jarrell

High Tech Surface Solutions, Inc.
www.diacrete.com

678 377 8083