Stained Concrete Scoring Patterns

Stained concrete floors look best either without decorative scoring altogether or with large simple patterns that do not draw attention away from the marbling effects of the stain. Below are some of the most popular stained concrete floor patterns. The lines are generally cut at a width of 1/8" and a depth of 1/4" but can be cut up to 3/8" in width for a more dramatic effect and may also be cut deeper to aid in color separation when using more than one color of concrete stain. The cuts look best unfilled, where they provide a subtle, shadowed effect, but they can be filled with colored grout for greater accenting.

Multiple concrete stain colors with color separation generally only enhances the visual impact of a floor when a complex pattern is used. Borders are commonly done in a contrasting or complementary color, as are the lines and corners of grid patterns. Color separation on larger patterns is less popular, as it may result in a "checkerboard effect". Scored patterns usually add $.50-$1.00 per square foot to the cost of a project, depending on their complexity. Color separation may add another $1.00-$2.00 per square foot on top of that, as the concrete staining process becomes slow and entails more labor.

Scored borders are normally about 18" in width, and they may simply be stained, as shown below, or stained and then enhanced with decorative concrete engraving, or stenciling. Here are catalogues of templates that may be used for Engraved Concrete Borders and Stenciled Concrete Borders. Stained concrete scoring patterns may be done with an existing concrete floor or with a decorative concrete overlay.