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Technical flooring, delivered directly
- ESD flooring, urethane cement, terrazzo, and polished concrete
- In-house W-2 installation crews and experienced field leadership
- National service coverage with project-specific staffing plans
- Testing, documentation, and defined project closeout
- Dedicated support for corporate procurement and multi-site contracting
Phone: +1 (844) 687-1961
Coloring Methods at a Glance
Stained concrete floors can have warm, mottled color, subtle translucent tones, bold color or scored patterns that resemble large tiles. The look depends on both the coloring method and how the floor is finished.
Craftsman Concrete installs stained and polished concrete floors. People often use “stained concrete” to describe either finish, so you do not need to know which system you want before discussing your project. A photograph of the look you like is a useful starting point.
| Coloring method | Appearance it can produce | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Acid stain | Earthy, mottled color with variations across the slab | Color develops through a reaction with the concrete. The slab and application affect the result. |
| Water-based stain | Translucent washes, stronger color or greater hiding power | Opacity varies by product and application. Water-based does not automatically mean opaque. |
| Dye used with polished concrete | Translucent color that leaves the concrete’s character and exposed aggregate visible | The dye must suit the polishing system and location. An interior dye should not be assumed suitable outdoors. |
| Integral color | A colored base throughout the concrete, with the finish chosen separately | Color must be planned before placement. Mix, finishing and curing still affect the appearance. |
Stained concrete floor pictures
Color variation, patterns and reflected light all contribute to a floor’s appearance. A photograph alone cannot reliably identify the coloring product or distinguish a glossy sealer from mechanical polishing.
Amber and Brown Variation
Warm amber and brown variation across a large, open interior.
Scored Squares
Reddish-brown color and large scored squares create a tile-like layout.
Cloudy Mottling
Mottled color emphasizes variation in the concrete.
Diagonal Scoring
Diagonal lines create a geometric pattern without covering the concrete with tile.
Which coloring method creates the look?
Acid stain and water-based stain are applied to the concrete surface. Dye is another coloring option, often used during polishing. Integral color is mixed into concrete before placement; it is an alternative for a new pour, not a stain applied to an existing floor.
Acid-stained concrete
Acid stain suits a warm, varied appearance rather than a perfectly even field of color. Browns, reds and golds can create a weathered or marbled effect, with lighter and darker areas developing across the slab.
The variation is part of the appeal. Choose this approach when you want the concrete’s differences to contribute to the finished look.
Water-based stained concrete
Water-based stains offer a broad range of colors and degrees of transparency. A translucent wash can retain visible variation, while a higher-hide product can produce a more controlled field of color.
The product and application determine the effect. Choosing “water-based stain” alone does not establish whether the floor will look transparent or opaque.
Dyed polished concrete
Dye adds color while allowing the polished concrete’s texture and aggregate to remain visible. It suits projects that want a colored floor with the character of mechanically polished concrete.
Color and sheen are separate choices. A dyed polished floor can have a restrained satin appearance or a more reflective finish.
Integrally colored concrete
For a new slab, pigment can be incorporated into the concrete before placement. The surface can then receive the selected finish, including polishing.
Integral color provides a colored base throughout the concrete, but it does not eliminate differences caused by the mix, placement, finishing or curing.
Scored patterns and borders
Scored lines and borders provide another design choice. A grid can suggest large tiles, while diagonal lines create a different pattern. Existing joints and the condition of the slab need to be considered when planning the layout.
Stained-and-sealed or colored polished concrete?
Staining adds color; polishing mechanically refines the concrete. They describe different parts of a floor, which is why customers sometimes use the terms interchangeably.
A glossy stained floor is not necessarily polished, and a polished floor does not have to be highly glossy. Our sealed-versus-polished comparison explains the distinction. The polished concrete styles guide shows aggregate exposure, sheen and color choices.
Stained-and-sealed concrete
- Sheen from
- Topical sealer
- Protection
- Sealer layer; may need renewal
A topical sealer over the color can provide a satin or glossy finish. That protective layer is subject to wear and may need renewal. Permanent color does not make the complete floor scratch-proof.
Colored polished concrete
- Sheen from
- Grinding and finer abrasives
- Protection
- Penetrating or thin coating
Grinding and progressively finer abrasives create the aggregate exposure and sheen. Dye can add color during polishing, or the concrete can already contain integral pigment.
Protective treatments vary: some penetrate, while others leave a thin coating. The proposed treatment and its maintenance requirements are part of choosing the finished floor.
Stained concrete colors and charts
Use color charts to build a shortlist, then review a representative sample with the proposed finish. The concrete, application, protective treatment and lighting affect the result. Screen reproduction can also change how a swatch appears.
Our concrete stain color charts page brings together additional palette references. Charts are a starting point; the sample on the actual concrete is the better guide to the finished appearance.
Acid stain colors
Earth tones and additional colors available in the illustrated acid-stain system. Expect variation rather than an exact reproduction of a printed swatch.
Water-based stain colors
A broad palette with transparent and higher-hide options. Select the color and degree of transparency together.
Dye colors for polished concrete
Earth tones and more saturated colors for colored concrete. Confirm the dye product, its permitted uses and its compatibility with the intended polishing system.
What your slab will allow
An existing slab can often be colored, but its condition may limit the result. Transparent color should not be counted on to hide cracks, patches or old discoloration.
Before choosing the finish, consider:
Previous coatings and sealers
Some coloring systems require their removal; others permit application over selected sealed surfaces after preparation and testing.
Contamination
Oil, adhesive residue and other materials can affect color or adhesion. Preparation can also change surface texture and appearance.
Repairs
Patches may take color differently from the surrounding concrete. Include representative repairs in the sample rather than judging only the cleanest part of the floor.
New construction
Coordinate the intended color and finish before placement, especially when using integral color.
Preparation
Preparation follows the selected system and the actual slab. There is no universal acid-etching or grinding recipe for every stain.
Representative Sample
Before proceeding across the floor, Craftsman prepares a representative sample using the proposed preparation, color and protective finish. We review the appearance with you, including how existing repairs and variations in the slab show through.
Can stained concrete be used outdoors?
Some stain systems are suitable for exterior concrete, but the product, color and complete finish must suit the exposure. Outdoor approval can vary even between colors in the same product line.
Dyes intended for interior polishing should not be used outdoors unless their manufacturer expressly permits it. A colorant’s UV resistance also does not establish slip resistance or make every sealer suitable for an exterior floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Craftsman installs stained concrete as well as polished concrete. If you are unsure which finish you want, share photographs of the appearance you like and details of the slab and project.
No. Staining colors concrete, while polishing mechanically refines its surface. A stained-and-sealed floor typically has a topical sealer over the color. Colored polished concrete combines mechanical refinement with a compatible coloring method and protective treatment. Gloss alone does not identify the system.
Often, but suitability depends on the concrete, previous coatings, contamination and intended product. Preparation and a test area establish whether the slab will accept the color and produce an acceptable appearance.
Do not rely on translucent stain to conceal cracks, patches or discoloration. Repair materials may take color differently from the surrounding concrete. Higher-hide products can reduce some color contrast, but they do not repair cracks or guarantee an even-looking floor.
A chart is a reference, not a guaranteed match. Concrete composition, preparation, application and the protective finish affect the result. Use a representative sample with the intended finish to judge the color.
Some systems can, provided the product, color and protective finish are suitable for exterior exposure. Confirm the selected system’s requirements rather than assuming every stain or concrete dye is suitable outdoors.
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