Philadelphia Stamped Concrete

Stained Concrete

Stained Concrete Interior Floors for your home.

One of the most popular methods to transform concrete slabs is staining. Today's homeowners, designers and builders are drawn to stained or colored concrete because of the unique result that can be achieved through color combinations and various application techniques.

The Advantages of Staining:

• The design possiblities are unlimited! Because of concrete's porous qualities and neutral tone, it is the perfect blank canvas for topically applied color.
• CMA Group will achieve rich, earth-toned color schemes resembling natural stone, marble, wood, or even leather, giving a completely custom look to cement.
• We can customize your concrete floors, concrete driveways, patios, walkways, pool decks, concrete walls and more.

What is Concrete Staining?

Two main types of staining are Acid based and Water/Solvent based

• Most acid stains are a mixture of water, hydrochloric acid, and acid-soluble metallic salts. They work by penetrating the surface and reacting chemically with the hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) in the concrete. The acid in the stain lightly etches the surface, allowing the metallic salts to penetrate more easily. Once the stain reacts, it becomes a permanent part of the concrete and won't fade, chip off, or peel away.
• Like stains for wood, acid-based stains are translucent and the color they produce will vary depending on the color and condition of the substrate they are applied to. Each concrete slab will accept the stain in varying degrees of intensity, creating natural color variations that bring character and distinction to each project.
• CMA Group also offers newer products on the market such as water-based penetrating stains and water or solvent-based concrete dyes are greatly expanding the artist's palette with colors ranging from soft pastels to vivid reds, oranges, yellows, and purples.
• Chemical stains can be applied to new or old, plain or colored concrete surfaces. Although they are often called acid stains, acid isn’t the ingredient that colors the concrete. Metallic salts in an acidic, water-based solution react with hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) in hardened concrete to yield insoluble, colored compounds that become a permanent part of the concrete. The acid in chemical stains opens the top surface of the concrete, allowing metallic salts to reach the free lime deposits. Water from the stain solution then fuels the reaction, usually for about a month after the stain has been applied.
  

Many homeowners today prefer light tan finishes, which make up about 60 percent of the market. Greens and browns are popular, too. A combination of stain and water, called black washes, can be used to reduce the contrast between colors.

See our Sample Stain Color Charts:

• EarthTone Stains
• Enviro Stains
• Vibrant Color Stains