Decorative Concrete Flooring Services
We specialize in interior acid stained concrete, but the decorative concrete flooring services we provide, and the concrete stains, sealers, overlays, and repair products we use are extremely versatile. They can be applied to almost any structural architectural concrete surface, inside or outdoors, horizontal or vertical, and we would be glad to talk to you about your unique decorative concrete project in the Detroit or Chicago area.
Concrete Acid Staining
The main reason concrete floors are stained is because paint, even special concrete paint, does not adhere well or last. Concrete stains are also chosen instead of colored epoxy coatings, for example, because their translucency helps make concrete look like something stylish and expensive, such as marble, granite, travertine, flagstone, and other forms of natural stone, rather than something merely utilitarian and functional. Decorative concrete scoring may then be done to provide patterning effects that complement or enhance this marble or "natural stone" appearance. Here are some of the most popular Acid Stained Concrete Scoring Patterns that are used in homes and businesses today.
There is a growing variety of concrete staining materials on the market. Acid stain is the most popular, but for wider color range or variation and greater control over detail, "tints", "concrete dyes", and "acrylic concrete stains" (water-based and solvent-based) are also used. For an illustration of the main acid stain colors, see these color charts: Decosup Chemtone; Superstone ChlorStain; and Artcrete Faux Brick. To view some of the brighter colors attainable with tints, concrete dyes and acrylic concrete stains, refer to these color charts: Chroma-Tech Polystains and Mason's Select. We use a range of concrete coloring options depending on the needs of a particular project. We have done a great deal of research, testing, and experimentation and have found that the above brands are the best concrete staining products on the market. The companies are also very reliable and supportive. But we are also now using two new companies' acid stains. Stay tuned for more information on these new stains.
Here is a closeup view of a very realistic looking, interior flagstone floor that was created by first drawing the pattern on the concrete floor with chalk and then acid-staining the rocks one by one.
Many people think of acid staining as a do-it-yourself project like house painting, and to an extent it can be that way. But to achieve the natural stone effects that will make people think they're seeing something they're not, and to avoid the numerous easy pitfalls that can quickly ruin a stained concrete flooring project takes a considerable degree of skill and experience. That is why our clientele chooses us: to bring a realistic and fluid feel to their concrete floor that will augment the decorative look and design they plan to achieve through architecture, furnishings, lighting, woodwork, and paint or wall coverings.
A common misnomer about acid staining is that the products are hazardous to work with, require special means of disposal, and are not "green" or eco-friendly. When following the proper procedures there is no real risk to the applicator and none at all to others nearby. Acid stains are 95% water and generally contain only 5% or less of a mild acidic solution. This acid is completely neutralized upon contact and reaction with the concrete. Also, the metallic compounds that most acid stains use for coloring are commonly found in soil and fertilizer, such as iron, copper, and manganese. Finally, unlike many other building products and materials, acid stains contain no volatile organic compounds (VOC's), so the acid staining process leaves no lingering harmful effects after application and installation.
Acid Stained Driveways
This is a driveway that was sawcut and patterned, and then acid stained in a Southwestern motif to complement the early 19th century Aztec building style of the home.
Acid staining is primarily done on interior floors, such as residential finished basements and retail or commercial businesses, but another good application is driveways, where the marbled finish creates an inviting look for an entryway to a home, and vastly increases the real estate value of the property. Most people, however, don’t know much about driveway treatments, and they leave their driveways concrete uncolored and unfinished.
One of the main reasons homeowners don’t inquire further about driveway treatments is the unsightly accumulation of tire marks, vehicular fluid leaks, and other dark stains from normal driveway activity. But this oversight is based on a simple misperception. All of these blemishes can be removed from the concrete prior to acid staining, and once the driveway is acid stained, the concrete can be and is then protected by a clear sealer that enhances and deepens the color of the acid stain.
This driveway was stenciled and patterned with a thin cement overlay before acid staining. You can see how the beauty and contrast of the driveway makes the home stand in isolated elegance.
Even if the source of driveway blemishes cannot be completely eradicated, and something does eventually happen to the sealed, acid stained concrete, these blemishes are much less noticeable on colored concrete, and they can be easily wiped or cleaned up. Moreover, maintenance of acid-stained driveways is not difficult. It consists primarily of occasional pressure washing or attentive rinsing with a garden hose. It then also means resealing every few years with a single coat of a quality sealer, similar to the resealing of a backyard wood deck or stamped concrete patio.
Best of all, acid staining on all outdoor surfaces, including driveways, walkways, and foyer entryways, is durable and will not fade, whereas water-based stains and dyes, on the other hand always do fade. Furthermore, stamped concrete, another popular driveway treatment option, often chips and spalls. Color used for acid staining a driveway are generally a gold, terra cotta, brown, or other earth tone that can accented by a border, simple design, or other pattern, such as are linked in the staining section above.
Concrete Sealers
This warehouse concrete floor was acid-stained to protect it from oil spills and stains. Here a clear sealer is being applied to enhance the pale brown color and add a protective glossy film over the acid stain.
A clear concrete sealer is required for every stained or decorative concrete flooring project. There are several purposes of a concrete sealer. First, the sealer brings out the color of stained concrete (see photo right). Without it, the color of the floor would be pale and flat. Second, the sealer protects the concrete surface from scratches, abrasion, water intrusion, chemical stains, and dirt. A stained concrete floor with no sealer would eventually lose most of its color due to foot traffic. Third, sealers make maintenance easier. Dust comes up readily, and wax can be applied and removed without affecting the basic appearance of the floor. Fourth, concrete sealers add depth and gloss to stained concrete, drawing greater attention to its elegance and beauty.
Four types of sealers are commonly used on stained or decorative concrete: 1) acrylics; 2) epoxies; 3) urethanes; and 4) polyureas. Each type of sealer adequately achieves all four purposes listed above. The main differences between them are in terms of durability and expense. Acrylics are the least durable and most affordable, while polyureas are the most durable and most expensive. Epoxies and urethanes fall somewhere in between, the main advantages of epoxies being toughness and adhesion, and those of urethanes, chemical and scratch resistance. Any sealer system can be chosen or specified for any project, but a good rule of thumb is that acrylics are sufficiently durable for most homes, while epoxies and urethanes are almost always required for businesses. Polyureas, due to their high expense, are best reserved for harsh environments, such as warehouses or hair salons.
One of the best new sealers for acid stained concrete is the "polyurea". It is durable, long-lasting, and easy to maintain.
Sealers also come in water- and solvent-based versions. Contractors favor solvent-based sealers because they are much easier to apply and to fix. Homeowners and businesses prefer water-based sealers because they are odorless and safer to use (e.g., pilot lights do not need to be turned off during application). In addition, water- and solvent-based sealers are also chosen for their color enhancement properties. Solvent-based sealers significantly deepen the color of stained concrete, while water-based sealers enhance color only slightly. As such, the choice of sealer can result in two different shades for the same color of concrete stain. We work closely with every customer to choose the sealer that best suits the project environment, fits the budget parameters, and achieves the optimal color enhancement and gloss. We do stained and sealed color samples at the outset of every stained concrete flooring project.
Concrete Overlays
Often because of age, abuse, cracking, or previous floor treatments,
such as carpet, tile, or hardwood, an existing concrete slab cannot be effectively stained. In
this instance, a thin polymer-modified cement overlays can be installed quickly and
relatively inexpensively to provide a brand new concrete surface to work with. At depths as shallow as 1/8", these
'concrete
overlays' are extremely durable and permanent, and they allow for great creativity in coloring and patterning.
A self-leveling concrete overlay is being poured out of a 10-gallon mixing barrel by one worker and gauge-raked to a uniform depth of ¼” by another worker. The floor will be hard enough to walk on or stain in two hours.
Decorative concrete overlays normally come in white and gray, and they may be stained as such, or they may be integrally colored with pigment during their installation and then stained to provide a unique, customized color pattern that may not be achieved through the use of concrete stain alone. Decorative concrete overlays may also be topped with another type of thin cement overlay, called a "micro topping", that allows the first overlay to show through slightly. This system generally provides a more subdued color effect than staining. Finally, concrete overlays may stenciled or stamped during placement to impart pattern and texture along with color.
There are several manners of applying decorative concrete overlays. Some cement overlays are hand-troweled over the concrete slab. This is the most common type of overlay used by contractors today. Other overlay products called self-leveling overlays are poured out on to the concrete floor and then spread at a uniform depth with a "gauge rake" and a "smoother". Finally, some cement overlays are applied with a roller or spray gun. The type of overlay product used typically depends on the durability required by the project environment and the decorative look being sought. For example, "trowel-down" overlays generally exhibit greater color mottling or "antiquing" through the use of concrete stain than do self-leveling overlays. By contrast, self-leveling overlays provide great uniformity in color. This is commonly referred to as a "warehouse look". Most overlay products regardless of application method require sanding with a rotary floor machine after installation to optimize the surface for accepting color from a concrete staining product, and to ensure that the protective sealer adheres properly.
As a rule, the best look with decorative concrete overlays comes through acid staining. Acid staining brings out the variation in the texture and trowel finishing of the overlay in a natural looking way. Concrete dyes and water-based stains on the other hand tend to show the artificial, circular spray patterns that were used to apply them. They also exhibit penetration and adhesion difficulties due to the increased density of overlays.
Concrete Engraving
Using an air compressor, a variety of pneumatic cutting tools, and a heavy-duty plastic template, images and designs, such as patterned borders, room motif accents, and company logos can be precisely and efficiently engraved into concrete. Decorative concrete engraving becomes a permanent and elegant part of the concrete surface, and at only a depth of about 1/16", does not present a trip or safety hazard. Individual elements of the image or design may colored through acid staining, and/or the application of concrete dyes or water-based stains - either before or after the engraving process. Images and designs may be chosen from a preset catalog, or they may be converted from any electronic or computer image file. In the photo below, the sketch of a design on a jewelry case was reproduced on the main floor of an Irish pub in Farmington, Michigan, as a room motif accent. You can read more about the concrete engraving process and see a catalog of available templates on this company's web site: Engrave-A-Crete. Premier Veneers uses Engrave-A-Crete tools and templates.
A chronological view of the engraving process: 1) the starting artwork; 2)
the transfer and imprinting of the image on to the floor; 3) the engraving & staining; and 4)
the addition of a protective clear sealer. A precise and beautiful process
from start to finish.
Decorative Concrete Scoring
This finished basement floor was acid-stained dark walnut and saw cut into 3.5’ square tiles. The coloring and sawcutting helped accent the dark wooden furniture, wet bar, and cabinetry stationed around the several basement rooms.
For a large open floor that is not obscured by a lot of furniture or rugs, scoring decorative lines and simple geometric patterns into acid stained or decorative concrete is a great way to break up the monotony of a single color and draw more attention to it. Decorative concrete scoring lines are generally made with a guided angle grinder or concrete saw that is fitted with a diamond blade and a dust-free vacuum attachment. The blade most commonly used by staining contractors cuts a line about 1/8" wide and 1/4" deep, although exact dimensions may be specified if the customers wishes and is willing to pay a little more for the purchase of a custom blade. These decorative cuts are usually done prior to acid staining the concrete and may be filled with a colored grout to accent the colors in the floor, or left as they are, for a more subtle appeal.
Straight wall borders and large square tiles are the most popular decorative concrete scoring patterns, while arcs, circles, and diamonds may be chosen for a more contemporary or artistic look. Notice the large-diameter circular border in the photo above right (previous section on engraving); and the large square tile pattern in the photo at direct right. Here are some of the most popular Acid Stained Concrete Scoring Patterns. For additional accenting, concrete scoring lines may be used to separate acid stain colors. It is important to note, however, that separating stain colors by decorative saw cuts involves at least a couple extra days of labor for a concrete staining contractor. Therefore, the customer should expect to pay a little more for this service. Another important note is that decorative cutting can be a problem with radiant heating in a concrete slab. Most good mechanical or heating & cooling contractors ensure that their radiant tubing is always at least 2" below the surface. But with bad installations this tubing can rise to just under the surface (1/8" to 1/16"). If one of these tubes is cut, a repair can be made in a couple of hours, but it is expensive: $400 and up. So as a customer, you should ensure that your radiant heat was installed properly by a specialist, and not the builder for example in an attempt to save money.
Stenciled Concrete Overlays
This concrete retaining wall stairway was sprayed with a thin cement overlay, using a limestone block stencil for patterning, to closely match the limestone block foundation of the home.
Stenciling is used in decorative concrete to add patterning effects that are too complex or detailed to be reproduced on concrete through the scoring of lines. Decorative concrete stenciling can be done in a variety of ways. First, a thin cement overlay may be sprayed or troweled over a stencil, and then the stencil is removed once the overlay has hardened. This is the method used in the photo to the left. It is best for repeating patterns like brick, cobblestone, and slate, and it may be used over an entire area or just as a border. You can see some of the patterns available for stenciled concrete overlays from: Artcrete Concrete Stencils.
Stenciling may also be done by etching the pattern into concrete or a concrete overlay using plain or colored (gelled) muriatic acid. This method is best for intricate patterns that require great attention to detail, such as stylish borders and complex custom images. These patterns become a permanent part of the concrete but usually go no deeper than 1/32". You can see samples and read more about this process at: Modello Concrete. Finally, concrete stenciling can also be accomplished through the engraving process (as described above), where a greater physical depth is desired than can be achieved through concrete etching. Here is an example of a Stencil Engraved in Concrete.
Concrete Surface Preparation
The adhesive found under carpet and tile is yellow or black. Both adhesives can be removed with chemical strippers or by grinding, but this requires special equipment and know how to leave the floor in condition for acid staining.
Concrete surface preparation is the most important part of any decorative concrete flooring project. For the project to hold up over time, you must begin with a surface that is clean, dry, and sound. Unless you are starting with a brand new concrete slab, this often means beginning by removing tile adhesive, carpet glue, or paint, and sometimes a combination of these three residues.
Clean: Yellow adhesive, shown in the first photo at right, is water-based and is common today with vinyl tile and carpet. Black adhesive, shown in photo two, is solvent-based and found under tile in older homes. The most predictable and efficient method of removing these adhesives is concrete grinding, shown in photos three and four. While grinding is sufficient in most situations, even more aggressive methods, such as shot blasting and scarifying, are sometimes required for example in removing the thin-set mortar beneath ceramic and porcelain tile. The down side of these more aggressive methods, however, is that a concrete overlay is usually then required to cover the gouging, pitting, or other resulting damage to the surface of the concrete.
Chemical strippers are effective in removing thin layers of paint and sealer, as well as excessively sticky adhesives that would clog grinders. But their residue can permanently stain the concrete, so a sample area should always be done first. Paint overspray, drywall mud, and other stains or markings can usually be removed with a rotary floor scrubber, or a grinder fitted with a sanding disc. But there are some blemishes caused from spills of solvents and construction chemicals during building that cannot be detected and will only show up after staining. This affects a good proportion of almost every concrete slab. These blemishes can only be fixed by engraving them out by hand and then touching up with stain. For a customer concerned about detail it is important to hire a qualified staining contractor that has access to engraving tools. We provide this touchup service at the end of every job at no additional charge.
Dry: Once the surface is clean, it should be tested for moisture content and moisture vapor transmission. Excess water in concrete can cause problems with stain color and with the adhesion and clarity of concrete sealers. Because there are a variety of testing methods for moisture in concrete and some require special equipment and training, this is best left to a contractor or professional. If moisture is determined to be a problem, and does not have an identifiable cause that may be fixed, dehumidification equipment often helps to dry the concrete to acceptable levels. New concrete requires at least 28 days to cure, and usually about 3 months for excess moisture from the concrete mix to evaporate. Premier Veneers tests concrete slabs for moisture at the time of the pre-project onsite consultation to ensure that the concrete is dry enough to stain and seal. We use the Concrete Moisture Encounter from Tramex.
Sound: Lastly, concrete surface preparation may require patching holes and repairing cracks. Patching can be done effectively with most cement grouts and mortars. Patches, however, do not always blend in color with the rest of the floor, and they do not always accept concrete stain in the same manner as the concrete. If the repairs are small and few in number, they may not stand out, or artists' tints and faux finishing techniques may be used to disguise them. Even if they do stand out, such as large patching from plumbing repairs or upgrades, the look is usually acceptable. But to remove all signs of patching, a concrete overlay is usually required, and a concrete overlay is always required to remove all signs of crack repairs. For this reason, cracks are usually left alone, unless they present a structural concern. Regardless, cracks almost always add to the look of acid-stained concrete by providing a more natural stone appearance. Many customers actually want cracks with their stained concrete.
Once the concrete is clean, dry, and sound, the basis has been established for a successful decorative concrete project that will last for years to come. We use a well-informed, comprehensive approach to preparing a concrete slab for acid staining, including all the above methods, and using the best and latest technology.
Decorative Concrete Consulting
This unattractive cement overlay was poorly installed by a pool contractor
and began delaminating soon thereafter. It had to be torn out and
replaced.
With the rapid growth in popularity of acid-stained and decorative concrete flooring over the last decade, there has been a corresponding quick increase in the number of new contractors and product manufacturers to meet this demand. Unfortunately, not all new contractors obtain the proper education and training before beginning installations. And not all manufacturers have their formulas perfected before marketing their stains and sealers. Many of them learn on the job. As a result, and because acid staining is a skilled trade highly dependent on product quality, a great deal of substandard work is being done. Not only in terms of appearance, but durability as well, leaving home and business owners wondering where to turn to fix their floor that either did not turn out the way they wanted, or has begun to peel, scratch, delaminate, or fade.
Making matters worse, news of these bad installations spreads quickly, especially when the projects are in commercial or other public locations. This causes untold uncertainty, trepidation, and consternation today on the part of architects, builders, and owners considering stained concrete for their new flooring projects. And while a great deal of advice and information on installing or fixing acid stained concrete can be obtained from the Internet through a few minutes of research, there is hardly ever a common thread to these answers. Opinions, ideas, and recommendations vary widely. This is because most state governments do not regulate concrete staining, or other types of decorative concrete flooring, and as of yet there are no real trade or industry associations with official standards for acid stained concrete floors.
Brown discoloration of a new concrete slab that was caused by the use of dirty aggregate and could have been been avoided by specifying clean, washed aggregate in the concrete mix.
This is where Decorative Concrete Consulting enters in. Just as the construction industry responded to meet popular demand for stained concrete floor installations, it is now responding to the growing demand for fixes and repairs of faulty installations, and specifications and guidance for new projects. New firms offering decorative concrete consulting services are springing up in major metropolitan areas across the country. In most cases, and by necessity, these firms are successful concrete staining contractors, who are making a transition into consulting. This has been the case with us at Premier Veneers. We make an effort to provide a lot of good, basic information on our companion web sites, Concrete Veneers and Stained Concrete Chicago. Where that is not sufficient, however, we also now offer specific insight, advice, and guidance tailored to fit the needs of individual flooring projects throughout the United States and Canada. In many cases, we provide this assistance through phone calls and the electronic exchange of photos, blueprints, and other construction documents. When necessary, however, we travel onsite to assist with installations or participate in pre-construction and/or interior design meetings.
Electronic moisture meter (above left) to measure moisture content of concrete, and calcium chloride kit (above right) to measure moisture vapor transmission.
Permanent stains
from solvent spilled during the construction process, that are invisible
on dry concrete and will only show up after applying acid stain.
Here are some of the stained & decorative concrete consulting services we provide:
Pre-Project:
- Decorative concrete mix specifications
- Decorative concrete pour & finish recommendations
- Concrete moisture testing
- Concrete pH testing
- Concrete surface evaluation
- Detection of concrete stain inhibitors
- Decorative concrete pattern/design selection & layout
- Stain color samples & expertise
- Product recommendations (types & brands)
- Equipment and technique instructions & advice
- Decorative concrete on-site training & assistance
Post-Project:
- Decorative concrete defect troubleshooting
- Detailed decorative concrete project analysis
- Repair & touch up solutions
- Effective dispute resolution strategies
- Decorative concrete care & maintenance recommendations
If you would like help or advice with your stained or decorative concrete flooring project, please fill out the
Decorative Concrete Project Submission
Form on our Contact Page, and we would be glad to assist you.