Monday, December 9, 2013

Stained Concrete Can Be Unique

By Troy Wilkerson


There are always variations in any application of stained concrete. There may be only slight differences, but they will be there. It is simply because no two surfaces are identical and react to the process in the same way. The porocity of the material causes it to absorb the finish in different degrees.

Staining offers two methods, the acid based treatment and the water based treatment. Each can result in earthy tones forming swirling patterns that appear to float on the surface. They can be very faint. The look is beautiful when used to create any outdoor setting such as a patio or garden walk. When a driveway or front sidewalk is stained, it shows off the home perfectly.

The contractor may recommend the acid based solution, which is a mixture of water, hydrochloric acid and soluble metallic salts. It is absorbed into the surface and a chemical reaction to the hydrated lime will take place. The permanent result will never peel off or chip away. It will show beautiful fluid lines in a pattern that cannot be replicated.

This is different from pigment or dye based processes that add color. The chemical reaction results in a lovely, translucent finish. It takes around four hours to set. The change will be permanent.

Although they look the same, they are different in that no chemical reaction takes place when the water based acid stain is used. Instead it forms a coating that bonds to the surface. Both display the swirls in random patterns. These are usually in the earthy colors found in nature.

Stained concrete can have an ethereal quality in which it looks as if the pattern is floating on the translucent surface. Each application will be unique due to the variations found in each surface it is applied to. The color tones will be deeper in some surface areas. No two homeowners will have replicated patterns, which makes each of their patios or driveways individualized and special.




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