Concrete Floor Stain Vs Dye

The color of stains and dyes is quite different once it is applied on concrete.

Concrete floor stain vs dye.

Stains tend to etch concrete s surface instead of penetrating. Concrete stains are typically water based and have none or a low voc content. Eagle acid stains create marbled variations of color eagle acid stains create marbled variations of color on cured concrete by chemical reaction with the minerals in the concrete. For example a stain may appear dark green when you buy it from the shop.

Buy concrete stains or concrete dyes. Use caution when applying. The below concrete stain colors were achieved with surecrete s eco stain a water based semi transparent concrete stain floor concrete color these colors of stain are applied on gray concrete with stain applied at full strength no dilution with two applications and is sealed with a penetrating color enhancing sealer. Dyes are different from stains in that they contain very fine color pigments along the lines of an ink solution that can easily breach into the tight construction of concrete.

Stains can be applied quickly and offer color options but do not protect the concrete. As with floor paints there are two primary types of floor stains from which to choose. Easy and safe application. Acid based and water based stains.

Water based stainsmost water based stains are more of a paint designed to bond to concrete and like paint they come in a broad range of colors. This leads to a mottled or variegated finish. Concrete stains are a suspension of color pigments. Rather than coating the floor in one entire color concrete stains create a pigmented marbled effect.

The development of synthetic dyes has widely increased the array of colors for decorating concrete flooring walls and structures. Paint covers and protects the concrete but requires more work. Once sealed with clear sealer your floor will pop with an elegant look. However they are a surface coating only because the particles tend to be too large to absorb into the concrete.

Concrete floors can be treated with concrete stains or concrete paints. Concrete surfaces are dull and gray but they don t have to remain this way. Every concrete floor will react with its own unique pattern. Floor and concrete stains are usually easier to apply than paints but they require more frequent reapplication to keep looking fresh.

However it might take a reddish brown color after reacting with the concrete. Dyes are much smaller in particle size than chemical stains or acrylic stains thus allowing for easier penetration and. This is similar to paints but the stain pigments must be smaller to penetrate into the concrete instead of staying on the surface or they would wear or wash off. As an artist i like how water based stains give you a longer working time than with dyes which gives you greater control over color.

Both have their advantages. Unlike concrete stains which react chemically with the calcium hydroxide in concrete dyes are nonreactive and impart color by penetrating concrete or other porous cementitious surfaces.