Interior Floor Stains

Interior floor stains can produce an attractive and unique look that no other type of flooring can do. These stains are showing up in stores, restaurants, offices, and homes everywhere. The increasing popularity is due to:

• Uniqueness: No two floors can ever look exactly the same. There are too many factors that determine the outcome of concrete staining.
• Easy maintenance: Concrete is one of the strongest and most durable materials. It can’t be damaged as easily as other flooring materials. Once the floor is stained and sealed, periodic applications of floor polish or wax is the only maintenance needed.
• Easy cleaning: How hard can it be to clean a smooth concrete floor?
• Cost: Staining concrete is inexpensive compared to most other types of flooring.
• Easy to change if you want to sell. Just put flooring on top.
• Great alternative to carpet for people with allergies.

Interior concrete floors are excellent for acid stains, acrylic stains, and faux finish staining. Acid stains are most commonly used. Although acid stains can be used on any concrete surface, the most beautiful results occur on smooth, hard trowelled, interior floors. The variegated, mottling effect is much more intense on smooth finished concrete. The other types of stains are normally used because acid stains won’t work or there are to many surface defects.

Application of Interior Floor Stains

The instructions of applying stains to interior floors are the same as any other surface. The coverage rate, however, is much greater. A gallon of stain goes a lot further on smooth floors versus textured. A smooth surface is much less porous than a trowelled floor.

Application of acid stains

Application of acrylic stains

Sealing Interior Floors

The steps for sealing interior floors is different from exterior surfaces. One coat of water based acrylic sealer followed by a coat of urethane sealer is recommended. Urethanes are very strong and durable but do not bond well with bare concrete. That is why you must put another type of sealer on first.

Learn about acid floor stains

Learn about acrylic floor stains

Faux finish staining techniques