Acid staining can make an ordinary concrete floor look like an expensive natural stone floor. Not only is it a fraction of the cost, but it is wonderful for people allergic to carpeting materials. Another great use is in homes with radiant floor heating. Radiant heating is at its most efficient when insulating floor coverings such as tile or carpet are minimized.

It can be difficult to get the look you want when staining a concrete floor, even though the process is not complicated. You may want to consider hiring a professional contractor, since this is a project that has some risks if you do it yourself.

Concrete stain isn't a paint or finish coat, but rather involves a chemical reaction with the cement. Typically a water-based solution of hydrochloric acid and inorganic salts, the stain reacts with the minerals and lime in the concrete aggregate, and staining reaction results. It will work on new or old concrete, and is fairly durable if you maintain it with sealer or wax, since it won't chip or flake. It can also be applied to both interior and exterior floors. Walkways, entrances, bathrooms, driveways, living rooms and patios are all possible.

Upon completion of the work, stained concrete resembles marble, although it is more speckled and less even all over. It will have mainly brownish hues, with a hint of reds and greens. You can even create your own personal stain by blending or by putting it on unevenly. When staining cement flooring, however, do not anticipate a completely even color, and plan your decoration and coordinating colors with that in mind. Since various portions of the concrete will react differently, even someone with a great deal of expertise in this area would have difficulty predicting the precise outcome.

Good surface preparation is the most important key to success when staining a concrete floor. The condition of your concrete slab will dictate what you need to do. A new slab only needs three weeks to cure and then a good cleaning. Old floors generally need a lot of work to remove dirt and oil stains, or any sealers that have been used in the past. To be sure you have cleaned enough, try the stain on a small test area first.

Newer poured concrete will require less stain than older floors, but typically, a gallon of water added to one gallon of stain will cover about 400 square feet. Apply the stain with a non-metallic brush or broom, working in the morning or evening hours when it is cooler, rather than in the heat of the day. Be careful to protect yourself from spillage, drips and fumes from the acid stain, and follow all of the manufacturer's precautions. After application, you will need to cleanup by sweeping away any leftover stain and residue with a broom. When the floor is thoroughly dry, it is best to apply a sealer agent and then wax it.

If you are in the market for natural stone flooring, want a fresh look for your patio area or basement, or just searching for some new design ideas, stained concrete floors may be just want you are looking for.