Pittsburgh Concrete Staining

Though known for its metal rich history, Pittsburgh (as well as the rest of the country) is seeing an increase in the use of concrete in new constructions. This durable material has long been used in industrial and commercial settings, however it is now making quite a name for itself in residences, too. Aside from making the perfect flooring in basements and garages, concrete, when finished, is becoming more common inside the house in kitchens, bathrooms, and even living rooms and dens.

Benefits of Concrete Stain in Pittsburgh
While some folks who are fine with a very modern look might not mind the flat gray color of untreated concrete, for many people in Pittsburgh, concrete stain is the substance that makes this material visually appealing. As with wood, concrete stain penetrates the surface and leaves a long-lasting, rich color. Unlike stained wood, however, concrete is not simply permeated, but chemically changed with the desired pigment.

A slab of stained concrete can be walked on forever without being even moderately damaged. When the snow starts to fly, any tracked in slush or mud will hardly be enough to harm this powerful material. When compared to other flooring materials, only marble really comes close to matching concrete's durability. When compared to the plaster or sheet rock found in most interior walls, concrete will outlast and outperform the top of the line.

Pittsburgh Concrete Staining vs. Concrete Painting
In an environment that is as moist as the one found in Pittsburgh, concrete staining is a more practical choice than painting. Concrete has never been the best material for holding onto paint. In Pittsburgh, concrete stain makes a more durable pigment because staining concrete (instead of painting it) actually changes the color of the concrete itself. There's never any worry about paint chipping or peeling away due to moisture damage. Concrete that has been painted will most certainly have to be repainted at one point or another, while stained concrete, as long as you like the initial look, will most likely never need to be stained again.

Drawbacks of Pittsburgh Concrete Stain
The biggest drawback of stained concrete in Pittsburgh, or anywhere else for that matter, is also its biggest selling point: its permanence. Once a slab is stained, there's no going back. The color won't wear away, and it can be difficult-to-impossible to change if you don't like it.

Due to the nature of concrete itself, the rather organic patterns made during the staining process are also permanent. Unfortunately, they are also a bit unpredictable. People in the business of staining concrete will certainly have some idea of what the finished product is likely to look like, but, in the same way as you might predict what a board will look like when cut from a tree. Basically, there's always room for surprise.

Prices of Staining Concrete in Pittsburgh
The staining process in itself is not very expensive. The real cost of this operation is laying the concrete which, if done from scratch, averages around $3,500. To turn an existing garage floor into a polished and sealed surface of stained concrete, Pittsburgh residents are looking at a price tag of around $2,500. To have that same floor professionally covered with special concrete paint will be closer to $1,100. Other concrete options such as stamping (usually done in more commercial settings) can run $4,500 or more. When you consider how long a concrete floor or wall will last without the need of maintenance, however, the initial investment is well worth it.