By Dave and Mary

Concrete Floor Stain

For Your Porch Floor

Concrete floor stain is an easy way to update or change the appearance of your front porch, patio, or walkways.

Concrete stains by NewLook and concrete overlays by Granicrete International ensure superb results as depicted in the following photos from Contec Supply. (Learn more about Contec Supply below).

Mary and I appreciate their generosity in sharing their photos with us to give you ideas for your own porch.


Staining concrete is an option to totally explore!



Beautifully stained front porch and walkway
Beautifully Stained Front Porch and Walkway
There's nothing quite like some before and after photos to show the impact of a change. Even subtle changes can make a huge difference.

Concrete floor stain or overlays, when applied correctly, can enhance the look of your porch, patio, and walkways to give your home a fresh and updated look.

Photos courtesy of Contec Supply and are copyrighted; please do not use without permission.


BEFORE

Front porch before staining


AFTER

Front porch after staining When staining concrete it is important to use the right materials. Solid Color Stain by Newlook is a decorative concrete stain that can be used inside and out on existing unsealed surfaces.

This is not a paint but rather a water-based polymer. It actually penetrates the concrete and best of all it does not require a sealer.


BEFORE

Porch and walkway before staining


AFTER

Porch and walkway after staining


Concrete can absorb a lot of heat and is one reason why urban areas tend to be warmer than rural areas. It is called the urban heat island effect. Adding darker colors to concrete can increase the temperature by significant amounts. There's a way to minimize the heat from your concrete porch and walkways.

CoolStain by NewLook has an infrared reflective ability to lessen heat build-up on concreteexposed to the sun by as much as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Just like Solid Color Stain discussed above, this concrete floor stain is not a paint - it penetrates the concrete.

Concrete porch needing repair? Fix it and enhance it with overlays or stains.


BEFORE CONCRETE FLOOR STAIN

concrete porch steps in need of repair


AFTER

repaired concrete porch steps


We tend to overlook porch floors and walkways when it comes to adding curb appeal to a home. We focus more on adding decorative items.

These photos will show you how much appeal staining your porch floor, walkway, or both, can add to your home.


beautifully stained concrete porch floor with planters and seating


stained concrete porch floor surrounded by flowering plants


tan concrete porch stain to complement yellow home


Choose a color that complements your home. Your porch floor then becomes a focal point upon which you can decorate with furniture, complementary or contrasting cushion colors, and amenities.


Staining concrete tips - information courtesy of KSIKitchens.com and shared on Front-Porch-Ideas-and-More.com


Information in the above graphic is courtesy of KSI Kitchens.


Where Do I Start with Staining My Concrete Floor?

covered patio with furniture and stained concrete floor
See more of Beneath My Heart's stained concrete floor here
We appreciate Traci sharing with us
Staining a concrete porch floor is a fantastic way to update the character of your outdoor space. So before you get started staining your concrete floor, keep these tips in mind:
  • The condition of your concrete surface is of utmost importance for a professional result. Make sure it is clean, free from any coatings or sealers, and in good condition. Make repairs to cracks before staining.
  • Consider the type of stain. Usually concrete stains are either acid-based stain or water-based whereas water based stains are generally a combination of acrylic polymers and pigments. So, the appearance of the outcome is different. Acid stains penetrate the concrete, creating a unique, mottled appearance, while water-based stains provide a more consistent color. Choose the kind that fits your desired outcome and application process.
  • What color do you want? Concrete stains come in a variety of colors to complement your home and surroundings. We highly recommend you test a small area first to see how the color looks on your specific concrete.
  • Proper preparation: Carefully follow the manufacturer's requirements to properly prepare the concrete surface. Thoroughly clean the porch to remove dirt, grime and any previous coatings. We recommend using a concrete cleaner or degreaser to ensure a clean surface for better stain absorption.
  • Safety comes first. Stains contain chemicals, so make sure to protect yourself by wearing gloves, safety goggles, and appropriate clothing during the staining process. We recommend using a respirator while applying the stain to avoid inhaling fumes.
  • Application Method: Always heed the manufacturer's advice and instructions, but in general, use a brush, roller, or sprayer to apply the stain. Rollers and sprayers can be used for larger areas, but brushes allow for better control in the nooks and crannies.
  • Know the drying time: For the best results, follow the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended drying time between coats and before walking on the newly stained concrete floor.
  • Sealing: To preserve your hard work, apply a concrete sealer to protect the stained surface from water, UV rays, and wear. Sealers can also enhance the color and provide a glossy or matte finish, depending on your preference. Follow the instructions on the package.
  • Maintenance: Your stained concrete porch will require regular maintenance to keep it looking great. Periodic cleaning and re-sealing (every 1-3 years) will help maintain the appearance and durability of the stain.




Two Often-Asked Questions About Concrete Floor Stain

We asked David Goddard of Goddard Designs, a professional concrete staining company, these two questions. Here's his response:

Is It Slippery?

"That question comes up whenever I'm discussing pool patios with clients or a family that may have a lot of young ones running around who are very active during the summer with water. And so that's always a concern.

And the answer to your question is yes; however, it is not the stain itself but rather the sealer. When you put the sealer on you are sealing all of those grooves and tiny holes and pores in the concrete and depending on how much sealer is applied you can potentially eliminate some of the traction that the concrete inherently had.

I put in an anti-slip additive into the sealer to help create a gritty texture that once dried fills in anything that may have been lost from the original broom finish. Steep driveways and steep walkways are also good candidates for sealers with anti-slip additives."


Does It Scratch Easily?

"This is kind of a strange analogy but whenever I get to the end of a project and it is finished I kind of treat the newly decorative surface as being like a blu ray disc.

I tell my clients to take care your new patio; you don't want to scratch it, just like you wouldn't like to scratch your cd or your blu ray disc.

When it comes to patio furniture, especially like wrought iron, you want to avoid dragging those from out underneath the table. So the responsibly and maintenance kind of goes up when you have a freshly treated patio or porch.

When it is snowing you obviously have to shovel the snow off to get to work and whatnot. But shoveling can definitely damage and scratch the concrete; worse case you can actually cut all the way down to the aggregate.

Rock salt can also destroy sealers. So it is kind of a balance whenever a client wants to have something done.

They also have to find something other than rock salt as that will destroy the sealer."
Contec Supply logo Duane Gardner, the owner of Contec Supply, has worked with concrete and coatings for over 27 years. Contec Supply knows what really works because they use the products, not just sell them. They are known for training contractors and others on the use of the products like concrete floor stain they carry and the technical support they provide for customers.

If you live in the inter mountain western United States, Contec Supply may be able to connect you with contractors that specialize in concrete staining and overlays.




Mary and Dave, Founders of Front Porch Ideas and More
Hi! We're Mary and Dave, lifelong DIYers, high school sweethearts, and we both love porches. You've come to the right place for thousands of porch ideas.

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Mary and Dave, Founders of Front Porch Ideas and More
Hi! We're Mary and Dave, lifelong DIYers, high school sweethearts, and we both love porches. You've come to the right place for thousands of porch ideas.
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At no extra cost to you, we earn a commission by referring you to some products on merchant sites. See our disclosure policy.
We, Front Porch Ideas and More, confirm, as stated on our privacy policy, that we do not sell personal information.

All content here is solely for presenting ideas. We recommend consulting with a licensed, experienced contractor before you begin your project.
We make no guarantees of accuracy or completeness of information on our site or any links to other websites contained here.

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