Stain changes the color of concrete without covering it. Acid stains react with the slab and give mottled browns, tans and greens. Water-based stains and dyes offer a wider, more even range of colors. Either way the concrete still shows through, with its trowel marks, hairline cracks and patches. On a clean slab that character is the appeal. On a slab with a lot of repairs, stain draws the eye straight to them.
Stained interior floors are popular around Baton Rouge for good reason. They are cool underfoot in summer, they do not trap dust or mold the way carpet does in humid air, and they come through a wet event better than most floor coverings. Outside, stain works on porches, patios and carports, but sun and rain wear the sealer that protects the color. Expect to wash an outdoor stained slab and reseal it from time to time.
Preparation decides the result. Stain cannot pass through old sealer, paint, glue or oil, so those have to come off, usually by grinding. In houses where carpet or tile was pulled up, the marks of tack strips and adhesive often remain as ghost lines. We test a small area first so you see the true color on your slab. We also check for moisture, since vapor coming through the floor will cloud a sealer.
Concrete staining in Baton Rouge: common questions
Can you stain a floor that had carpet or tile on it?
Usually. The glue and tack-strip holes have to be removed and filled, and some shadow of the old layout may still show through the stain. Many people like that worn look. A test patch tells you before you commit.
Will stained concrete fade on my uncovered patio?
The sealer will dull and the color will lighten over years of sun. Recoating brings back most of the depth. Under a roof, stained concrete keeps its color far longer.
Is a stained floor slippery?
A high-gloss sealed floor is slippery when wet. Indoors that mostly matters at entry doors and in kitchens. A satin sealer or a grip additive solves it. On an outdoor slab we always plan for rain.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We visit and measure.
- Written quote: Clear pricing with finish options.
- Prep & forms: We excavate, grade, compact the base and set forms and reinforcement.
- Pour, finish & cure: We pour, finish, cut control joints and tell you when you can use it.