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How Much Does it Cost to Stain Concrete

Concrete staining is an effective way to breathe new life into your floors. A stained, sealed, and polished concrete slab floor looks modern, sleek, and stylish- with all the robust durability to match.

The question is, how much does a stained concrete floor cost, and is it worth the investment? Here is everything you need to know.

What Is the Average Cost to Stain Concrete?

Austin Decorative Concrete Solutions - Epoxy, Polished & Stained Concrete

On average, stained concrete floors cost between $3.00 and $15.00 per square foot. This is an all-inclusive estimation that covers materials, labor costs, and sealant.

It is a pretty wide price range, and you need to know more about your specific job details to gain a more accurate understanding of what the cost may be. You can contact an expert at ADCS for a free quote at any time.

What Factors Contribute to the Cost of Staining Concrete Floors?

A few key elements influence the overall cost to stain concrete floors. Where your project falls on the price scale will depend on the following factors and choices.

Floor Size and Layout

Stained concrete flooring costs more in large areas- simply because it uses more materials and takes longer to complete. Since most quotes are given per square foot, the total cost will generally always be more in an area with a higher total square footage.

Rooms with strange shapes and awkward corners may also cost more if certain parts can only be hand-stained.

Accessibility

The location of the floor in question can also influence the price. Ground floors generally cost less because they are easier to access and have fewer logistical issues. High floors can be harder to get to, as can basements.

Any obstacles are also taken into account because they increase the time taken to complete the job. It is more difficult and intricate to stain around stairwells, doorways, and other fixed items.

Floor Preparation

Most concrete floors will need some kind of preparation before they can be stained. They may have an old stain, a previous paint job, or some other type of coating that must be removed before the new stain is applied.

In some cases, the entire surface needs to be sanded or treated with chemicals to strip away the top layer. Both of these methods add to the cost of stained concrete floors. To which extent depends on how extensive the treatment is and how much additional labor is involved.

Service Level

Some floors require a higher finish level than others, and not all concrete staining services are the same. There are four levels of concrete stains:

  • Basic: Designs are simple, use only one color, and include a sealant. This level is generally used on a stained concrete driveway, garages, and inside residential properties. In this case, basic doesn’t mean poor- it just means the property owner wants a simple color without any additional design features.

  • Intermediate: An intermediate concrete stain uses up to two colors. It also includes the sealant stage. This is popular for a stained concrete patio. Cost-wise, this is on the lower end of the scale.

  • Upgraded: This service level uses multiple colors and can include patterns. You also receive special slab preparation and sealant.

  • High-end: The fanciest concrete stains use stencils, complex patterns and designs, scoring, and texturing to mimic other materials such as stone.

As you may have guessed, the higher the service level, the more you can expect to pay for your stained concrete floor.

Type of Stain

You can choose from two types of concrete floor stains: acid stain and water stain.

A water-based stain usually costs less than an acid-based stain- and has bolder colors. That said, it is harder to work with and can create more mess.

Acid-based stains cost a little bit more but are much easier to apply. Therefore, it usually takes less time to stain concrete floors using acid stains rather than water-based stains.

Concrete Floor Stain Alternatives to Consider

Concrete dye is the most popular alternative to staining products- but it is only suitable for indoor projects. The product itself costs around the same as a concrete stain does- but it dries faster and saves some time.

Unfortunately, it is prone to fading in excessive sunlight, so it doesn’t work on patios, driveways, or any other outdoor concrete stain project.

Professional Concrete Staying at Competitive Prices at ADCS

Concrete stain is a versatile and effective way to spruce up your floors. Breathe a new lease of life into your concrete floors with the help of a highly qualified expert at ADCS. Contact the team today for a free quote from a reliable concrete contractor with a track record of excellence in concrete staining services.

Frequently Asked Question

Concrete stains are more cost-effective in the long term than most flooring options that cover concrete- but it does depend on the condition of the concrete floors. The work involved in preparing the concrete for the stain could end up more expensive than covering it with a cheap flooring material.

Stained concrete floors add depth, character, and interest to a room- not to mention adding a bit of life to a standard concrete surface. Add the fact that it is not particularly expensive per square foot- it begins to look like a worthwhile investment.

The downsides of staining concrete floors depend on the type of stain you use.

Water-based stains can be over-applied easily by mistake and are less durable than their acid counterparts. However, acid stains are toxic, high-maintenance, and can have unpredictable colors when they dry.