San Francisco Concrete Staining

Concrete is one of the most common building materials in the country, and for good reason. It is inexpensive, extremely tough and durable, and it can be poured as a liquid, making it very versatile and convenient. Unfortunately, concrete is also one of the least interesting building materials when it comes to appearances. When compared to materials like granite or marble, untreated concrete seems pretty flat. There is hope, however, for those who want the performance and convenience of concrete as well as a bit of color; in San Francisco, concrete staining is one of the surest ways to change walkways, garage floors, and many other concrete installations into something worth looking at!

San Francisco Concrete Staining Basics
For homeowners in San Francisco, concrete stain is an option worth considering for those who are tired of the dull gray that?s so common in certain areas of the home. Some concrete stains work in much the same way as wood stain, seeping into the porous surface of the concrete and dying the top a different color. High end concrete stain, unlike paint which merely covers the surface, actually alters the color of a slab chemically. When added by a professional to freshly poured concrete, this type of stain creates a permanent pigment which goes beneath the surface; under normal conditions it will not chip away or require any additional stain to maintain its appearance. In many cases, stained concrete is ground smooth then polished and sealed to create a glossy, beautiful surface that is extremely tough (this technique is often used when creating concrete countertops).

For most homeowners in San Francisco, concrete stain is the perfect solution for dull pathways, patios, or laundry room floors. This is not generally considered a do-it-yourself project, however, as properly applying concrete stain is tricky business, even for professionals. The results can be unpredictable (especially when dealing with concrete that?s been around for a while), and it will take a skilled hand and a good knowledge of technique to do the job right.

Good Candidates for Concrete Stain in San Francisco
Not every piece concrete will take well to concrete stain. San Francisco homeowners who are looking to change the appearance of old, battered, or severely weathered concrete might have to consider another option. Staining concrete, even when done carefully by an experienced professional, is still a less than exact science. While a contractor who knows what he or she is doing will be able to predict things like overall color, the various concentrations of the different materials that make up concrete will create slight variations from one area of a slab to the next. Though this generally gives the concrete character and a one-of-a-kind look, with old concrete, the results are sometimes unpredictable enough that it is not worth the risk.

San Francisco Concrete Staining: Alternatives
The most obvious alternative to concrete stain is, of course, painting your concrete. As anyone who?s done it before will tell you, however, this is a process that can have less than fantastic results. If the concrete isn?t properly cleaned and prepared, if the space is subject to a lot of foot traffic, or if you use the wrong paint for the job, you?re likely to see your paint begin to chip away pretty quickly. This not only looks bad, but will also cost you unnecessary materials and labor.

One better alternative to concrete staining in San Francisco is epoxy coating. Once again, this is not a DIY job and will require the experience and technique of a knowledgeable contractor to do it right. Epoxy coating looks a lot like a thick paint when it is applied, but once it is finished, you?ll be left with a surface that is far more durable, and in many cases much more attractive, too!