Concrete floors offer a great sense of durability, low maintenance and longevity, but one common misconception about concrete flooring is that it is boring in design. Although traditionally, concrete is a grayish, bland color, this is far from the case with polished concrete floors. In fact, concrete flooring in commercial spaces can include a variety of different colors, textures and designs, all thanks to concrete dyes and stains.
Concrete stains and dyes are the two most common ways to add color to commercial concrete floors, but which one is the better choice? At Custom Concrete Creations, we offer a variety of concrete flooring services. From polished concrete to epoxy coatings and concrete staining Omaha, our team is here to help improve the look and functionality of your commercial flooring. Below, we dive into the differences between concrete stains and dyes, and discuss which one is right for your concrete floors.
Concrete Stains
There are two main types of concrete stains; reactive and non-reactive stains. Both stain types come in a wide variety of colors, tints, shades, and textures, but both stain the concrete differently. Reactive stains contain chemicals that react with the elements within the concrete, ultimately creating color and translucency. Non-reactive stains are more water-based and usually only affect the surface of your floors!
Concrete stains also look much different once applied than it looks in the bottle. For example, your stain may look like a dark green when you purchase it but turn out to be a reddish-brown once it reacts with the concrete!
Concrete Dyes
Concrete dyes can be defined as a coloring material that imparts a specific hue to the flooring surface. With a variety of colors to choose from, dyes are a great way to make your existing concrete look much nicer! Dyes tend to produce tones that are more predictable and uniform to their original color!
Pros and cons of stains
Pros
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Can be applied to both new and existing concrete
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Color holds strong and true for many years
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Can be used inside and outside
Cons
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Very difficult to remove
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More difficult to apply and clean up
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Limited color options
Pros and cons of dyes
Pros
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Unlimited color options
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Can be applied to both new and existing concrete
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Very easy application and clean up
Cons
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Limited to indoor use only
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Solvent-based dyes can be flammable
Which one should you choose?
So now that you know the pros and cons to each, which colored concrete method should you choose? Choosing between staining and dyeing your concrete floors ultimately comes down to preference. If you are looking for a colorful flooring design, concrete dyes would be better. If you want a more natural tone, concrete stains would be better. Ultimately, both of these methods will help enhance the look and design of your commercial floors.
At Custom Concrete Creations, we are your concrete staining Omaha company. Whether you are looking to add stains or dyes to your concrete floors, our team can help. Visit our website to learn more about our concrete staining Omaha services.