Stained Concrete Driveway: Gallery, How-to Guide, and Staining Tips
One of the best ways to increase your home’s curb appeal and property value is to give your driveway a stained concrete makeover! With stained concrete driveways, you can mimic the look of marble, stone, tile, or even wood at a fraction of the cost. Discover the many looks you can achieve with paver stains and tinted concrete sealers, and get insider tips from customers who have successfully completed their own staining projects.
Stunning Stained Pavers Driveway
Check out what this DC customer created with four different Portico™ paver stain colors. Then, they followed up that earthy color combo with some acrylic sealer. The pavers on the driveway almost match the porch – how cool is that? To learn more about staining pavers, check out “Staining & Sealing Concrete Brick Pavers: Tips & Inspiration.“
Revitalizing A 16-Year-Old Concrete Paver Driveway On A Budget
Discover how one retired homeowner was able to revive their 16-year-old concrete paver driveway on a budget using ColorWave water-based stain. Without any prior experience, the homeowner was able to repair and rejuvenate their driveway to look like new and even impressed their neighbors with the final results. This project is perfect for any homeowner looking to save money and breathe new life into their concrete paver driveway.
Design A Stunning Circle Accent On Concrete Paver Driveway
Create a visually striking design on your concrete paver driveway by utilizing contrasting stains. Use Aztec Brown Portico Paver Stain on the inner circle of pavers, and the outer border. For the remaining pavers, apply Goldenrod EasyTint. This approach not only adds aesthetic appeal to your driveway but also enhances its durability. With a bit of effort and creativity, you can transform your driveway to look like new.
Streamlined Driveway Design on a Budget
Using gray concrete dye in two colors, our customer made some clean lines on their concrete driveway. Then, they finished up with EasySeal. It’s amazing what concrete dye powder can do to add some much-needed color!
For a complete guide on concrete dye stain application for driveways, check out Transform Your Driveway With Concrete Stain.
Make it Pop with Eco Friendly Orange Concrete Stain
After tons of research to determine the best option for their previously stained driveway, our customer selected ColorWave™ water based stain. With a couple of coats of stain and solvent based concrete sealer, they were able to breathe life back into their faded driveway. That orange stain really pops!
Boring Brick Pavers are in the Past
Check out these impressive before and after photos of several customer-submitted DIY projects featuring Crimson and Milano Red stained brick paver driveways. With their own hard work and our high-quality stains, these driveways have been transformed from drab to fab! The final touch of our EasySeal sealer helped to seal the deal and protect the stunning new look.
Project Info:
- Project Completed In: 2 day(s)
- Estimate of Square Footage: 400 sq. ft.
- Project Description:
I needed to revitalize weather worn concrete pavers for my driveway and walkway to the front entrance of my home.
Having previously used a professional to apply a water-based satin sealant I was terribly disappointed that the finished project look good for a few weeks only. The pavers still looked weather beaten, dull and lifeless.Personal Tips:
It is imperative that the EasyTint be thoroughly mixed before and during application for a beautiful consistent look.
Project Info:
- Project Completed In: 3 day(s)
- Estimate of Square Footage: 1200 sq. ft.
- Project Description:
My pavers were very discolored and I decided to stain them. I checked online and found Direct Colors. There staff was very helpful throughout the entire process. I ordered the sample kit a nd decided on the Crimson color and the satin acrylic sealer. All the products arrived on time and were packed very good. - Personal Tips:
Make sure you check the weather report for the days you will be working and having the sealer dry.
Take your time in pressure washing and preparing the surface test small areas first.
Make sure you give ample time in the drying process.
Use a deck sprayer and use the red tip for best results. - Direct Colors Products Used:
Portico paver stain crimson
Solvent based acrylic satin sealer
Other Products Used:
Used techniseal poly sand
Milano Red EasyTint stained brick paver driveway with a sleek Charcoal EasyTint stained edge design. The red stain enhances the texture and pattern of the driveway, while the dark charcoal borders provide a clean and modern contrast. The result is a striking and impressive entrance to the property.
Project Info:
- Project Completed In: 3 day(s)
- Estimate of Square Footage: 2200 sq. ft.
- Project Description:
I have been searching for a way to rejuvenate my Driveway, walkway, and pool deck, and the only thing that gave me everything I needed was Direct Colors. We went from drab and sad to gorgeous and eye catching. The photos speak for themselves! The entire neighborhood is impressed. - Personal Tips:
I have many!
1. Do the hard stuff necessary for a great final product. Pressure wash, sand, and invest in the tools needed.
2. Spend the extra money for the sample kit! One on my initial colors was different once applied in a test area. All bricks are different.
3. I had a trim that I was painstakingly focused on and I should have done it afterward due to overruns. Footstep (oops!)
4. I cut in parts next to to house with a 3″ brush.
5. I used a garden pump sprayer and roller, but the sprayer struggles a little with a thicker fluid.
6. I used cardboard boxes to push back on overstay.
7. Don’t spray too close to the pool. It will gum up the filter.
8. If you have a bunch of sand in the cracks, you will need more tint sealer.
9. Use a good breathing mask!
10. Buy the xylene to use for cleanup.
11. Plan around the weather. You need a couple of days of dry weather. Add a day more than you think it will take.
12. Sit back and Marvel at your efforts! - Direct Colors Products Used:
I used 5 gallons of Milano Red EasyTint Satin for the driveway/walk to do 2 coats ~1100 SF.
I used 1gallon of Charcoal EasyTint Satin on the boarder/trim ~200SF
I used another 5 gallons of Milano Red EasyTint Satin on the pool deck to cover ~900 SF.
Other Products Used:
I did not use anything other than standard tools and equipment noted earlier.
Driveway Paver Discoloration Dilemma
This customer had had enough. Their paver driveway was looking a bit rough. Due to constant sun exposure and stains and spills over the years, it was time for an upgrade! Luckily, our EasyTint did the job. And my, what a fantastic job they did. Looks great!
Beautiful Beige Concrete Stain on Driveway
Sometimes you don’t even need to make a huge change to improve the look of your broomed concrete. This customer chose EasyTint™ tinted sealer to refresh their concrete driveway. Subtle, but stunning!
Unique Extended Stained Concrete Driveway Design
Not wanting to have a traditional driveway extension like their neighbors, our customers chose acid stain and acrylic sealer. The extension actually sat unstained for about a year after installation before they decided to stain it! Finally, they were able to achieve the neutral look that they were aiming for with two acid stain colors.
Project Info:
- Project Completed In: 4 day(s)
- Estimate of Square Footage: 200 sq. ft.
- Project Description:
My husband designed and installed a full concrete extension to the driveway because we did not want to go the traditional paver extension route that many of our neighbors do. It sat in its finished but unstained state for over a year before we finally decided to stain it! We knew we wanted a neutral look that wouldn’t argue with the exterior colors of the house, but that also wouldn’t clash with the cool-toned “blue” of the driveway pavers.
After two rounds of trial kits to find the best color for our project, we originally decided that we would want to lay an all-over stain of Malayan Buff, with accents of Coffee Brown. Once things began to dry, however, we thought it needed to be darker. So we went through with another (heavier) coat of Coffee Brown to achieve the look we were hoping for!
Finally after a few days of coating and dry time, we were able to seal and use! - Personal Tips:
1. Definitely take the time and money to invest in a trial kit. You will want to see the colors in person and in their final state, and how the colors will compliment the surroundings.
2. When using a pump-deck sprayer, be sure to begin each spray/trigger-pull off your project to avoid splatter marks. And use small circular motions to help diffuse any areas that appear too concentrated as you are applying.
3. Use a two-man team if you can! Depending on your project, or look, it will be a lot easier to have one person laying down the base color while the second person is following with an accent color. - Direct Colors Products Used:
1 Gal. Malayan Buff EverStain Acid Stain x 2
1 Gal. Coffee Brown EverStain Acid Stain x 1
1 Qt. Cleaner & Degreaser Concentrate x 1
1 Gal. Solvent Based Acrylic Satin Concrete Sealer and Paver Sealer x 4
Scrub Brush x 1
Pump-up deck sprayer x 2
Other Products Used:
Gloves
Respirator mask
Eye protection
A Veteran’s Concrete Acid Stained Driveway Design
We’re made in the USA! That’s why Direct Colors loves its veterans and their DIY projects. This customer used acid stain to dress up their driveway – and even incorporated an eagle and American flag design into the concrete!
If you want to know all the juicy details about how this awesome driveway was done, check out the article called “Staining A Brushed Concrete Driveway“.
Creative Stained Concrete Driveway Designs
Our DIYer customers have shared some of their most interesting and creative driveway stain combinations, resulting in stunning transformations of their driveways.
The Gray Zone
Whether it’s charcoal or silver, gray concrete stain gives your driveway a more finished look. Take a look at how these DC customers used Antiquing™ Stain and tinted sealer to spruce up their textured driveways.
No More Weathered Concrete Driveway
Silver tinted sealer helped revive the color on this customer’s covered driveway. Stains and discoloration are no longer the focus – what a great job!
Selecting the Right Sealer for a Driveway
Because driveways are generally use areas, we recommend only two concrete sealers for this purpose. If you are looking for a satin finish to accentuate the stained appearance of the concrete, our Solvent-based satin finish acrylic sealer is your best bet. It’s very easy to apply using a Fence and Deck Sprayer and will not create a slip-hazard when wet on most concrete surfaces. Smooth finished may still require an anti-slip additive in the final coat of sealer. Solvent-based satin finish sealer is our most popular outdoor concrete sealer and is the best choice for either an acid or antiquing stained driveway.
We also offer a penetrating sealer for use on smoother finished concrete driveways called Penetrating Concrete Sealer. This sealer should not be applied rough, heavily textured or antique stained concrete. If you are looking for a no gloss finish on an acid stained driveway, our Penetrating Sealer is a good option. It’s a one-time application sealer and is a great salt proofer for those living in very cold climates. Keep in mind this sealer will not enhance the color of the acid stain after application.
