Minneapolis concrete stain is not the best known concrete finishing process in Minneapolis-St. Paul. In fact, it's about as well known to residents of the metropolitan area as the Minnesota Freeze, the Twin Cities' two time national championship (2005 & 2007) professional Australian rules football team! Like the Freeze, however, concrete stain in Minneapolis doesn't need to be a household name to be recognized as a high caliber home improvement product within the industry. From mimicking highly sought after interior and exterior building materials to creating looks that are completely original in the flooring world, choosing concrete staining in Minneapolis is a surefire way to end up with floors, countertops, patios, pool decks, walkways, and even walls that are guaranteed to get people talking.
Minneapolis Concrete Stain: Concrete Staining 101
When folks talk about concrete stain, there are quite a few processes that tend to get lumped into this broad category of concrete decorating. Here's some of the most common methods of staining concrete in Minneapolis, as well as some short descriptions so you can hold your own if you decide to seek out the services of a contractor.
Acid Concrete Staining in Minneapolis—This is a true concrete stain, and when we mention concrete stains that get ooohs and aaahs from the crowd, this is the process usually responsible for it. With acid staining, an acid is applied to a concrete slab in order to prep the surface, followed by a careful application of chemical stains to color the concrete itself. Acid staining can result in more traditional looks, such as marble, granite, or leather, or it can take on colors, hues, textures, and depth that look like something from another planet. The only limitation to acid staining in Minneapolis-St. Paul is the homeowner's imagination and willingness to wander off the map.
Silica Based Pigments—These dry shake pigments, mixed with silica, are applied to the top surface of a new concrete pour in order to "stain" the concrete a certain color. Technically these are dyes, not stains, and they're perfect for exterior uses because of their longevity. They're often used in conjunction with concrete stamping and stenciling to create patios, walkways, and driveways that resemble brick or stone.
Concrete Paint, Stain, and Epoxy Coatings—A true concrete stain works into the concrete itself, reacting with the minerals and compounds in the cement in order to create a variety of colors. The other option is to apply a "coating" to your concrete. This includes concrete paints and epoxy coatings that are popular for use in basements and garages. While less expensive and easier to apply than alternatives mentioned above, coatings won't last as long as a true stain, since a true stain works into, and become a part of, the concrete itself.
Stamping, Stenciling, Polishing, Sawing & Etching—While these obviously aren't examples of Minneapolis concrete stain, they are used so often in conjunction with different types of staining or coloring that it's worth mentioning them here. Stamping, stenciling, sawing, polishing, and etching are just four examples of ways to texture your concrete beyond a flat slab, and can result in surfaces that look like everything from a cobblestone patio to a marble tiled entryway.
The Benefits of Installing Minneapolis Concrete Stain
Obviously, appearance and lots of possibility are a big reason homeowners in the Twin Cities choose Minneapolis concrete staining for any one of a wide range of applications in the home. But looks aren't all that concrete staining in Minneapolis has to offer. Minneapolis concrete stain is also:
Durable—concrete stain in Minneapolis is far tougher, and longer lasting, than most other flooring, countertop, and exterior materials. This is especially the case when compared to interior tiles, notably ceramics, but it also applies to interior stone tile and even to exterior cobblestone and brick (since there's no mortar to fail!).
Seamless—Seamless surfaces really come into play if you choose a uniform, smooth, polished surface, or a smoother stenciled design. Regardless of design, however, the fact that you're dealing with a single concrete slab instead of multiple flooring tiles and grout lines means that seamless floors finished with Minneapolis concrete stain are some of the easiest floors/countertops on the market to keep clean.
Cost Effective—With the exception of concrete countertops, which are seen and priced as a high-end counter material, most concrete staining in Minneapolis is quite a bit cheaper than other flooring materials that are comparable in looks and durability. Prices will vary, but by some accounts a concrete floor finished with Minneapolis concrete stain can run as little as half as much as hardwood or stone installed in the same area. Count on even bigger savings when you move to larger outdoor applications.
Minneapolis concrete staining is an excellent choice for your home, inside and out. Generally this isn't a job for a DIY, especially if you're looking for top-of-the-line results, however a determined home handyman can pull it off, especially in smaller spaces and with simpler designs. Whether you're fully committed to hiring a pro, or teetering on the fence, talk a contractor who specializes in concrete staining in Minneapolis about what it's going to take to get your Twin Cities project underway.
Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.
© Copyright 1999-2008, ServiceMagic, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Digg 
Reddit
Del.icio.us
