Choosing the Right Concrete Stain Color

With concrete stain there are some unavoidable limitations in color choices. Direct Colors offers 10 choices in concrete stain color in mostly subtle earth tones, such as tans, browns, terra cottas, and soft blue-greens. You can expand the basic color palette by mixing two or more stain colors before application to achieve a different shade or apply one concrete stain color over another. You can also produce deeper color effects with a stain by applying two coats.

Color choice is often a personal preference or chosen by a desire to match or compliment an existing color scheme, such as staining a concrete floor to match the colors in kitchen cabinets or exterior paint colors. However, you don’t have to restrain yourself to one color, it is a great idea to look at project examples for color inspiration . The most impressive stained surfaces display multiple hues, sometimes separated by joints or divider strips or meticulously hand-applied to create beautiful intricate designs. Current trends show that homeowners today prefer light tan finishes, which make up about 60 percent of the market. Greens and browns are popular as well.

Regardless of what stain colors you choose, be aware of the following:

• With acid-based concrete stain color, wide color variations are normal. Surfaces will have sections that vary in color, and these variations will be emphasized when the final coat of sealer is applied.
• With some acid stain colors, what you see in liquid form may not be what you get once the stain has reacted with the concrete surface. The stain may not reveal its true color until it has been allowed to remain on the concrete for several hours or longer. Always apply the concrete stain color to a small test area before covering the entire surface.
• Concrete Stain color effects will generally be more intense on new concrete than on older or weathered concrete.

As with any project it is always a good idea to test the concrete stain color on a scrap piece of concrete or discrete area to ensure you get the desired results.