Decorate your concrete: ideas for the DIY enthusiast

You can enhance the existing concrete surfaces in your home using acid stains, acrylic stains, epoxy paints, and marking techniques. If you’re tired of looking at dull gray concrete, there are some pretty easy projects for the serious DIYer to give to your patio, driveway, garage, etc. a refreshing new look. Or maybe you plan to install some new concrete but don’t want smooth gray concrete. Decorative concrete work costs twice to triple the cost of regular concrete and many people just can’t afford it. There are inexpensive ways to decorate concrete after it has cured without paying expert traders.

Acid-based concrete stains are becoming increasingly popular for coloring concrete surfaces. They react chemically with the cementitious material to produce a permanent color with a mottled or mottled appearance like that of marble. This results in a sleek, natural-looking surface. Acid dyes are available in 8-10 different colors, mostly earth tones brown, green and reddish. The cost is typically $ 60 to $ 70 per gallon covering 300-400 square feet. A coat of clear concrete sealer when you’re done really brings out the colors and beauty of the acid stains.

Water-based concrete stains are an alternative to acid stains and are much easier to use because they are much less toxic. These stains do not react chemically with concrete; they absorb into the pores on the surface and act as a dye. The great advantage of water-based dyes is the wide range of colors available. You can find almost any color in the spectrum and create a more vibrant and consistent look. They also typically cost around $ 60- $ 70 per gallon covering 300-400 square feet.

If you want to venture beyond basic concrete staining, consider using some scoring techniques to create patterns on the surface. You can make your concrete look like a tile floor, for example. It depends on your imagination. An angle grinder with a 4-inch cutting or abrasive wheel is the ideal tool for this. The important thing to remember when scoring is to first draw the pattern on the concrete and make sure you are satisfied with how it looks, as scoring is irreversible. Most people do not own an angle grinder, but you can rent one from almost any tool rental store.

Epoxy paints are an excellent coating for garage and basement floors. Many commercial floors are epoxy coated due to their durability and resistance to chemical spills, as well as their appearance. In recent years, however, it has become very popular for residential use with an increasing availability of different colors. This is not a difficult project, but the key to a successful application is surface preparation. Epoxy paints are also available in a water-based form, making them safe for DIYers and ideal for interior applications. They cost a little more than stains. For a 400 square foot garage, you will spend about $ 200 on the materials needed for this project.

Don’t think you have to spend a lot of money on decorative concrete surfaces. With a few instructions and a little work, anyone can turn boring concrete into their own masterpiece.