Acid stained concrete

[toldozer]

Has anyone had this done at their home whether it be outside or inside? Or does anyone have a company they would recommend to do this in Charlotte? I am thinking about going acid stained concrete in my living room. Im not against doing it myself, it just seems like something you can royally screw up on fairly easily. If anyone has any experience with the process any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[MadHatter]

Our finished basement has acid stained concrete. However, it was already done when we bought the house...so I can't comment on how hard it is to do.

But, I can tell you that us is great with kids. Looks great and I don't have to worry about them messing up the floor. But, it us MUCH colder.

[toldozer]

Yeah I know it will be cold. However it shouldn't be much worse then hardwood or tile. Just being In the living room I think it should be fine. Is yours the standard chocolatey brown? I would like something closer to grayish black.

[saX man]

I think its a great option for a basement if you have area rugs.

Can look great in a kitchen too

[PhillyB]

^ that is freakin beauteous.

i don't know if i'll do it for flooring but i've got plans to do a full custom kitchen using this technique for countertops. the cost is nominal compared to marble or granite and you get the same effect.

[MadHatter]

Yeah I know it will be cold. However it shouldn't be much worse then hardwood or tile. Just being In the living room I think it should be fine. Is yours the standard chocolatey brown? I would like something closer to grayish black.

Actually it is quite colder than hardwood or tile.

Hardwood and tile have an insulating factor to the way they are installed. Tile has the prep board that is put down under it....provides insulating factor. The hardwood itself provides more insulating factor than you would think.

The acid stained concrete has ZERO insulation.

Area rugs would solve most of your problem, but you should understand that it will be much colder than carpet, hardwood, or tile.

[MadHatter]

^ that is freakin beauteous.

i don't know if i'll do it for flooring but i've got plans to do a full custom kitchen using this technique for countertops. the cost is nominal compared to marble or granite and you get the same effect.

Concrete counters are gorgeous if done correctly. However, you will need to seal them at least 4 times a year to ensure that you do not get stains. Granite is also a pourous material, but it is much less so than concrete.

But, that is a small price and inconvenience to pay for countertops that are both beautiful and unique.

[MadHatter]

Actually it is quite colder than hardwood or tile.

Hardwood and tile have an insulating factor to the way they are installed. Tile has the prep board that is put down under it....provides insulating factor. The hardwood itself provides more insulating factor than you would think.

The acid stained concrete has ZERO insulation.

My brother in law had the concrete floors in his Washington DC condo about 5 years ago. He hated them for this very reason. He said that the condo stayed feeling cold all the time.

Area rugs would solve most of your problem, but you should understand that it will be much colder than carpet, hardwood, or tile.

[Floppin]

If you're installing in a kitchen like the picture above and it's not an already existing slab, you can do acid stained concrete flooring with heating elements underneath - the same kind that you put under tile. Heated flooring mats are relatively cheap to install compared to a 10 years ago.

[Zcustom]

I sold this stuff to contractors all over charlotte for many years. Most companies are good, I can certainly tell you who NOT to use.

The actual staining isn't that difficult, like most things though there are lots of "don't"s to avoid.

The brand I sold was called Scofield, they do all sorts of colored concrete applications.

My favorite contractor was a guy named Richard Dale, he owns Dale's Concrete and he was always the most reliable contractor we dealt with. He lives in Matthews and I always heard good things about his work.

[Anybodyhome]

If you're installing over the top of an existing slab, make sure a moisture barrier is between the 2 slabs. Concrete wicks moisture from the ground below. Radiant heat is the way to go if being installed over existing slab. Concrete is not only cold, it's very cold. So much so that your feet, and the wife and kids as well, would numb if they weren't wearing shoes. Socks won't even help.

Concrete is extremely porous and, as mentioned above, it has to be sealed a few times a year whether it's countertops or floors.

[MadHatter]

If you're installing in a kitchen like the picture above and it's not an already existing slab, you can do acid stained concrete flooring with heating elements underneath - the same kind that you put under tile. Heated flooring mats are relatively cheap to install compared to a 10 years ago.

Now that would be the real deal. Lay a new layer on top if heating elements.

Would be a butch if you had issues with the heating system.

[Hawk]

also a bitch of you have issues with passing out after a long night of drinking!!!