10 Main Pros and Cons of Acid Stained Concrete Floors

Acid staining a concrete floor is a unique process that applies color and a rich sheen to the surface of the concrete.

It is not opaque like masonry paint or epoxy sealer that coats the concrete. The acid stain is actually absorbed into the concrete because concrete is naturally porous.

The result is a translucent toned finish that enhances the concrete by allowing the natural surface to appear as though it has more depth and dimension.

This is a process that is ideally applied on a high-quality concrete slab by a professional applicator. Yet, it can be used on older concrete slabs as well.

There are a few pros and cons to review when you are considering an acid stain for your concrete floors.

Let’s explore those so you have a better understanding to make an informed decision about this technique and finish.

Pros of Acid Stained Concrete

1. Creates a Unique Appearance

Acid staining offers a relatively simple way to enhance the appearance of your concrete floor through the application of a special acid coating that penetrates the concrete surface.

This chemically alters the color of the concrete and provides a clean finish that is brighter than a normally dull and gray concrete appearance.

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Acid stains have the unique ability to provide different visual effects, such as marbling, patterns, swirls, and waves, depending on the skill of the contractor.

You are able to choose the color palette to customize the finish for your particular space.

2. Very Durable

Concrete is a naturally hard and durable material. The acid stain can actually enhance the durability of your concrete floor.

The finish is resilient and strong, being able to withstand the pressure of heavy items, such as a car. This makes it a good option for a garage slab finish. The finish is extremely difficult to damage and it doesn’t fade over time.

As long as you maintain your floor, with routine cleaning and periodically resealing, the acid stain finish and the concrete itself can last for decades.

3. Cost Effective

Acid staining is a finish that is comparatively similar to other concrete finishes in terms of cost of materials and application.

This is a fairly quick way to enhance, seal, and protect your concrete when compared with adding hardwood, tile, or carpet. Because the finish is so easy to maintain, an acid stain will save you time and money in the long run.

4. Easy to Maintain

Concrete floors that have an acid stained finish are very easy to maintain. It is recommended that you place door mats at entrances if you wear shoes inside your home that have also been worn outside.

This helps to remove abrasive debris from the soles of the shoes that can scratch the surface.

Routine broom sweeping is a good practice to remove dust and sediment. Periodic wet mopping of the floor with just water or an ammonia-free detergent and water is all you need to do to clean the floor.

If you implement these simple steps, the floor will remain well-maintained and looking glossy.

5. Increases Aesthetic Value

If you have a raw concrete slab floor, sealing it in some manner is a very good and practical method of protecting it.

Concrete is very porous and will discolor and stain easily from spills and oily substances. You can immediately improve the aesthetic value of your concrete floor by acid staining it.

Because there are many colors and patterns available, this is an invaluable way to achieve a more attractive floor finish and brighten up your space in a reasonable amount of time.

This even works on older concrete floors. There are also skilled installers who can customize the floor finish with a personalized stencil, such as placing your company logo on the surface.

6. Doesn’t Impact the Ability to Install Alternative Flooring in the Future

The beauty of an acid stain finish is that you can always install a different flooring option over the finish somewhere down the road if you wish.

This flexibility is also a plus for the resale of your home or commercial space, offering a potential buyer some options.

You can cover the concrete with carpet, hardwood flooring, or resilient flooring. Some flooring systems may require an underlayment, which isn’t uncommon.

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Cons of Acid Stained Concrete

1. Requires a Professional to Apply

Applying an acid stain to your concrete floor isn’t really a DIY project. The concrete slab must be properly cleaned and prepared prior to the installation.

Once the slab is properly prepared and ready to accept the finish, the installer has to take a few specific steps to apply the stain to meet your specifications.

This is especially important if you are going for a customized appearance that can only be achieved by a skilled technician.

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2. A Good Amount of Time and Labor is Associated with Acid Staining

There are several steps that go into applying an acid stain to concrete. With that comes a need for patience because each step requires time for curing and drying.

The concrete slab needs to be thoroughly cleaned and scraped of surface debris, such as hardened drywall compound.

Once the slab is very clean and dry, an etching solution is applied to open the pores of the concrete so the stain can penetrate the surface.

The etching solution dries to a fine powder that then needs to be rinsed off. The next step is applying the acid stain with a special sprayer.

After the stain has dried, a degreasing neutralizer is mopped on the surface to remove any acid residue. Then, the surface is wet mopped to clean it, dried, and a protective sealer can be applied.

This is really something that is best left to a skilled professional.

3. Does not Cover Imperfections in the Concrete Surface

It is important to point out that not every concrete floor will look the same once it is acid stained. There are many factors that dictate the outcome.

Imperfections in the concrete itself differ, depending on the original concrete mix and the aggregate or additives in that mix.

Moreover, the age of the floor and the abuse it has sustained will affect how well the stain penetrates the surface.

Major discolorations, cracks, and chips cannot be disguised totally by applying an acid stain.

4. The Results are Unpredictable

It goes without saying that not all concrete slabs or acid stain installers are created equal.

While not terribly common, it is entirely possible that one area of the floor will look different in terms of color and pattern from another area.

This may be the result of the concrete composition, the lack of attention to the prep process, or the inconsistency with how the stain is applied.

It is often hard to predict what the final outcome will be so you need to remain open-minded and be willing to accept that the final result might not be 100% what you anticipated.

Bottom Line

Acid staining concrete is a viable option for finishing a newly poured concrete floor or for bringing new life to an existing concrete floor that needs an update.

There are different patterns and colors to choose from. However, unless you are extremely handy and patient, this is a job for a skilled technician.

Once the stain is properly applied, acid stained concrete is very easy to maintain and can last for a very long time. If you don’t care for the end result over time, you always have the option to cover the stained concrete with another flooring solution.