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Beautiful concrete work speaks for itself. The texture and color tells a story of where the concrete mix came from and how it was treated by the trowel when it was laid into place and shaped. Many people enjoy the natural beauty of their new concrete patio by only applying a clear sealer coat after an appropriate curing period has passed, however, others like to manipulate the look and color of their new concrete. Take, for instance, concrete stains. Stains are known for their ability to transform old, tired, and discolored concrete by making them appear brand new and giving them a whole new look!

Many times people make additions to a patio, walkway, or driveway, and the end result doesn’t match the existing concrete areas. In most cases the color is slightly off. This problem can be alleviated by adding a concrete stain. There are two types of concrete stain; solid color and semitransparent.

When working with concrete areas that differ, even slightly, in color use a solid color. The name solid color describes how it appears; a stain that covers much like a paint which hides the color it is covering. Solid color stains are excellent in just about all situations. Semitransparent stains are a little different. Their name also describes how they work; they have a transparency to them which allows some of the original concrete color to show through. Semitransparent stains give a very subtle and elegant look to concrete. The light, less noticeable, look of a semitransparent stain really makes concrete look spectacular. If concrete areas are discolored, however, a semitransparent look may not be the best choice. Some types of discoloration can be cleaned and removed using certain types of chemicals and hard labor, so have your contractor assess your concrete areas to address these issues.

Concrete stains not only look good, there are a few other big advantages! They seal concrete once applied, so one product does all the work for you. They resist hot tire tread, which means you can apply it on a driveway or in a garage and it can handle being driven on without being damaged or peeled off. Most high quality stains also have a formula that is siliconized and 100% acrylic, which means they repel water, prevent scuffing, damage, and peeling. They are also extremely environmentally friendly. Virtually all stains sold in California meet stringent requirements. They have advanced water based formulas that have little to no V.O.C.’s (volatile organic compounds), and are safer, more durable, and last longer that traditional oil based formulas.

Take a look below to see a few before and after pictures of concrete patios and walkways with solid color stains applied.

Before                                                                              After