Do you get bored with your bland, drab patio? In fact, there are many ways to improve your outdoor living space and inject some color into the concrete. Keep reading to learn some of the best options. To learn more about concrete staining or to request a quote, contact Fuller Concrete Staining at 310-944-9099.
Concrete paint
Paint is frequently the first option that comes to mind when considering how to color a concrete patio. After all, your neighborhood hardware store is stocked with paints made specifically for concrete floors, and this would seem to be a tempting DIY alternative when you need a quick, low-cost makeover for a boring patio.
The issue is that you usually get what you pay for. Although concrete paint is cheap, it is also highly susceptible to deterioration. It will start to peel or flake very rapidly, especially if you were not cautious to thoroughly clean the concrete before starting work.
Epoxy for concrete
For patios and other concrete surfaces, epoxy coatings are a superior substitute for paint. You will have almost as many color options. Epoxy coatings are more expensive per square foot than paint and are more difficult to apply, but they will last longer than paint. Epoxy coatings, however, are susceptible to peeling, cracking, and flaking over time, much like paint.
Staining concrete
Choose concrete stain for the best in long-lasting, resilient color. Your color won’t peel, chip, or flake because concrete stain doesn’t only rest on the concrete’s surface; it also somewhat penetrates into the concrete’s pores. However, your stained concrete patio may experience some abrasion damage under conditions of heavy use and/or over time.
Fortunately, sealing the concrete will significantly slow down this process and guard against stains from chemicals, water, and oil. Your color will remain true even in the sunniest areas of your patios if you pick a UV stable stain carefully, like the one we use at Fuller Concrete Staining.
Is there anything paint or epoxy can accomplish better than concrete staining?
It’s vital to remember that concrete stain is translucent, whereas paint and epoxy are opaque. Translucent tones give your concrete greater depth and beauty, thus generally this is a benefit. If your patio is older and has several cracks and patches, however, you might want a product that will hide those flaws with a flat, opaque hue rather than allow them to show through.
It actually comes down to personal taste as flaws may give stained concrete character and depth by causing tone variances, which some people find appealing.
Want to discover more?
Please get in touch with Fuller Concrete Staining for a free quotation if you have any questions regarding staining concrete for your patio.