What are the advantages of staining/decorating concrete outdoors?
* Improves overall appearance and aesthetics of a home or business exterior
* Raises the implied value of your property
* Sealing process helps to prevent mold, mildew and unwanted staining of concrete -
* Easy maintenance
* Enhances landscaping and pool areas, creating outdoor "flooring" and producing
true exterior living spaces
* Stained/Decorated concrete is usually less expensive than the installation of natural
stone, tile and brick, which can loosen and degrade over time
* Concrete can be decorated in exterior spaces where traditional stone or brick may
not be practical or cost effective
What are the advantages of interior concrete floors?
* Concrete floors are beautiful, versatile and extremely customizable!
* Concrete floors lessen the amount of allergens in your home or business. Allergens
can be trapped in carpeting and cause health problems for many people and pets.
* Stained and decorated concrete floors can be custom designed for your specific
tastes and room sizes without extreme cost. Custom wood flooring and tile
is very expensive!
* On average, stained/decorated concrete floors cost less than traditional kinds of
flooring, including carpet, ceramic, stone and wood.
* Concrete floors stay beautiful for the long haul and are easy to maintain.
Is stained concrete simply a fad in decorating?
Stained concrete floors have been growing in popularity, especially in new home construction over the past two decades. As more and more people become exposed to stained concrete as a flooring alternative and as technology and methods improve the artistry of the craft, it is fast becoming a standard for flooring among builders and designers across North America, Europe and Australia.
Will staining my exterior concrete or installing concrete floors affect the resale value of my house?
Absolutely - decorated concrete on both the interior and exterior of a house have become very desirable amenities. It definately improves your home's implied value & appearance.
What is the basic decorative concrete process?
Performing the decorative concrete process consists of the following basic steps:
STEP 1 - Cleaning of concrete slab
A rotary floor scrubbing machine is used for smooth interior slabs
A pressure washer wash deck and wand is used for most exterior slabs
Sometimes additional methods of cleaning are necessary to remove paint,
stucco, mortar, gum, etc.
STEP 2 - Masking and preparation
Painter's paper and/or plastic sheeting are used to mask walls and other
areas that need protection from stain overspray
Pigmented stain/sealer requires an acid wash and neutralization before
application.
Necessary markings are made for desired design and patterns
STEP 3 - The staining process is done using various application methods which
vary according to the desired result. This includes spraying, rolling,
brushing, sponging, and other methods.
STEP 4 - Neutralization and cleaning of reactive acid chemical stain (RAC)
This step is done ONLY if RAC stain is used.
STEP 5 - The first coat of sealer is applied to protect the stain during cutting/engraving
Certain design elements may alter the order of this step.
STEP 6 - Cutting, Scoring and Engraving are done using various tools like saws,
air impact and rotary tools and self-circulating sand blasters
STEP 7 - Clean up of cutting dust and stain touch up
The slab is thoroughly cleaned to rid it of unwanted grit and dust
Application of stain to necessary touch-up areas or as is necessary for
desired design is done and allowed to dry
STEP 8 - Final sealer coat(s) applied
At least one final coat of sealer will be applied to fully protect the stain and
all cut lines.
Exterior sealer applications often receive a non-skid additive in the final
sealer coat
STEP 9 - Waxing (interior floors only)
Interior floors will be waxed with a minimum of 3 coats of mop-on wax
Some interior sealers do not require waxing
STEP 10 - ENJOY your beautiful decorative concrete surface!
How long does the process take?
Normally, the process takes 4-6 days to complete.
Large or more detailed projects may take additional time.
DAY 1 - Step 1
DAY 2 - Steps 2, 3 & 4
DAY 3 and 4 - Steps 5 & 6
DAY 5 and 6 - Steps 7, 8, 9 & 10
Will I be able to use (walk or drive on) the surface during the process?
* Exterior spaces like driveways and carports will need to remain without any
vehicular traffic throughout the decorative process.
* Walking on exterior surfaces and interior floors will be possible (in sock feet only) at
different periods of time throughout the process. We will communicate to you
as to when this is appropriate.
* It is recommended that you vacate the spaces to receive the decorative process as
much as you are able. We do understand, however, that in a remodeling situation,
you still have to live in your house during this process. We will work with you!
Do you have crews who perform the work?
* NO - We have no additional crews who do our work at this time.
* When it comes time for your project, it will be us (Bobby & Tenya) who do the work.
* From time to time, we do hire friends and family to assist us, but one of us is always
present as a supervisor.
Will it make a lot of dust or noise in my house/business?
* Cutting and engraving do produce a fair amount of dust. We do, however, use vacuum
systems to capture as much of this dust as possible.
* Our saws and other tools do make a lot of noise, so you may want to be somewhere
else during the cutting process.
* It is recommended that anyone with a sensitive respiratory system vacate the
premises during the decorative process.
How deep and wide are the cuts and engraving?
* Cuts made with our saws vary in width from 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch
* The depth of saw cuts is, on average, 1/8 inch deep
Deeper cuts may occur on uneven slabs
* Engravings can vary greatly in depth from a near surface indentation, to quite
deep. The depth of engraving is largely controlled by the person doing the
engraving, but concrete texture, sand content and aggregate size may affect
the depth in a rather uncontrolled manner.
Do I have to be at my home or place of business while you are working?
It is not necessary for you to be present while we work. We feel comfortable working inside or outside your property with or without your presence.
How should I prepare for the work to be done at my location?
* You need to make sure that all furniture and other items have been completely
removed from the area to be decorated
* Pets and children should be contained so as not to have access to the area
* Remove any items which might be damaged by dust or water (ie. electronics)
* Make sure we have access to 110 volt electricity (at least 2 separate circuits)
* We also need access to running water
* No other subcontractors can be allowed ANY access at ANY time during our
scheduled project. This includes when we are NOT on the premises!
* Any persons or pets with sensitive respiratory systems should vacate the premises
for the duration of the project
Do you use harsh chemicals during the process that could be harmful to my family, employees or pets?
* We try to avoid using harsh chemicals which would be harmful to others or
to OURSELVES. Most of the strippers and cleaners we use are biodegradable
and environmentally and human/pet friendly.
* Sometimes it is necessary to use a harsher remedy, but we always make sure to
provide adequate ventilation and use utmost care in these cases
* ACID stains are just that -- acid! Therefore, it is important to keep all pets and children
away from areas where acid stains (RAC) is being used
* Strippers and stains can seep onto existing trim. Please be aware of this and ready
refinish baseboards etc. as needed. We cannot guarantee that existing trim will
not be stained or stripped during these processes.
* Our exterior sealers are for exterior use only and do have noxious fumes. It is
recommended that anyone who may be sensitive to the fumes vacate the area
until the fumes have dissapated.
How soon can I use my surface after it is finished?
* Exterior surfaces may have furniture replaced 24 hours after last coat of sealer is
applied. Vehicular traffic is not recommended for at least 48 hours.
* Interior floors may have furniture replaced 3 hours after the last coat of wax is
applied. Some sealer and floor finishes may differ, depending on the situation.
How long will decorative concrete last?
Your decorative concrete surface should last as long as the concrete slab itself as long as it is properly maintained. Please visit the pages for Maintenance to find out specifics.
Do you warranty your decorative concrete?
We provide a satisfaction guarantee for the design of your decorative concrete AND we supply a one-year warranty for the stain and sealer. A one-year warranty is also provided on our overlay process.
There are situations where a warranty would be null and void. These are rare and approached on a case by case basis.
Can decorative concrete be damaged?
YES! All concrete can be damaged, whether plain or decorated. Several factors cause damage to concrete. Weather cycles, erosion and settling can cause cracking. Dragging or dropping heavy objects onto the surface can scratch and chip it. Many things CAN cause damage, but using a little care will maintain the beauty of not only your decorated concrete, but the slab itself.
How often will it need to be re-sealed?
Exterior surfaces will need to be re-sealed periodically.
* Residential surfaces will probably not need re-sealing but every 3-4 years.
Driveways may need it more often.
* Commercial surfaces may need re-sealing as often as every 6-12 months. It fully
depends upon foot/vehicle traffic and weathering.
How often do I need to re-wax my floors?
The wax coat on appropriate interior surfaces should be maintained to fully protect your
decorative surface.
If your floor begins to look dull and scuffed, it is appropriate to re-wax it.
Please note: Some interior sealers do not require waxing. Commercial clients are
encouraged to use these types of sealers.
 Decorative Concrete
Maintenance
How much does it cost to have a standard decorative concrete floor installed?
The average cost for BMJ Design to install decorative concrete floors is
$4 per square foot.
How does the cost of concrete floors compare to traditional types of flooring?
Concrete flooring is less expensive than almost every other traditional flooring
installation including ceramic tile, stone, wood, laminate and carpet.
How much does it cost to have most exterior concrete decorated?
The average cost for decorated exterior concrete is $3-4 per square foot when installed
by BMJ Design
What type of things might cost extra?
Additional design elements such as engraved borders and designs, hand faux-finishing, matched brick, flagstone, etc. may incur an additional cost over and above the average cost.
Why do different types of sealers cost more or less than others?
Average acrylic sealers (water-based for interiors and solvent-based for exteriors) are included in our regular price quotes. "Super Sealers" which usually consist of two part applications and extreme durability will cost you more because they cost us more and require additional labor.
Does plain staining and sealing without cuts cost less?
Yes, plain stain projects cost significantly less.
What is WRC stain?
It is a Water Reducible Concentrate containing polymerized acrylics which bond to the concrete. The colors are completely customizable and provide a nearly endless palette. Please click on the Stain Comparison Chart link below to learn more.
What is RAC stain?
It is a Reactive Acid Chemical (also called acid stain) and is the most traditional form of staining concrete. The colors available for RAC are somewhat limited. Please click on the Stain Comparison Chart link below to learn more.
What is Pigment Stain/Sealer?
It is a solvent-based product for exterior use only, basically a pigmented sealer. The colors available are quite varied and somewhat customizable. Please click on the Stain Comparison Chart link below to learn more.
Stain
Comparison Chart
Can brand new concrete be stained?
Yes, as long as it is a minimum of 30 days old, ensuring that it has fully cured.
Is there anything I should know before pouring a new concrete slab that I intend to have stained/decorated?
DO - use a reputible concrete mix company and a good finisher
DO - pour your concrete during good, dry weather to ensure the best finish
DO - call us ahead of time to receive the best advice
DO - use sufficient vapor barrier under interior slabs
Do NOT - use curing agents or cover the slab with plastic
Do NOT - use fibre reinforced concrete mix
Do NOT - allow the slab to be mistreated by subcontractors working in the area
Please contact us at BMJ Design - (225) 324-1430 or by email - to get more specific information about pouring a new slab intended for decorative treatment.
What should be done or not done to brand new concrete intended for staining/decorating?
In new construction situations, it is best to call us at 324-1430 or email to get a full set of instructions on do's and don'ts.
Can old concrete be decorated?
Absolutely. Old concrete can look just as good and sometimes better than new concrete after decoration.
What things should I be aware of if I am remodeling and want to stain my concrete floors?
You have no way of knowing what you will find when you pull up your old flooring.
Almost any concrete floor can be made a viable surface for staining, but there are cases when it may not be cost efficient. Be aware that during normal construction processes, the concrete slab was not protected from paint, markings, varnish, etc.
Removal of vinyls and some carpets will reveal glues which must be removed prior to a decorative floor being installed. Older homes may have black petroleum based mastic which presents its own set of problems. Removing ceramic and wood can leave gouged and pitted concrete surfaces and requires the removal of mastics and glues. Carpet tack strips will leave divot holes around the perimeters of rooms and in doorways.
There are a host of difficulties which can be discovered underneath your current flooring, but in most cases, it is possible to create a beautiful concrete floor whatever surprises you might find.
Can anything be done to concrete where removal of old flooring reveals a non-viable surface?
Absolutely! We also have great overlay products that can cover over your "problems" and create a gorgeous floor for you. Contact us for more information.
Is there any kind of concrete that is NOT viable for staining/decorating?
* Degrading, crumbling concrete slabs are not viable surfaces.
* Sometimes the cost of creating a viable surface in a remodel situation isn't worth it.
That is something each client must decide.
* Exposed aggregate surfaces are not appropriate for staining and scoring. HOWEVER,
our great overlay products can cover the aggregate and provide a great surface
for staining and scoring.
What is an overlay?
An overlay process consists of multiple layers of a polymerized cementacious material that will bond to the existing concrete surface.
Will overlays crack and peel?
Overlays can crack where cracks in the existing concrete slab already existed. We do,
however, make every effort to prevent this from happening. When cracking does occur,
our special overlay has less tendancy to peel and chip at the crack point than many others.
Does an overlay process cost a lot more than simply staining the existing concrete?
Overlaying your existing slab is only slightly more expensive than the regular staining process.
Does using an overlay limit my design choices?
NO. Your design choices are the same, if not better. Overlay products provide further enhancement in designs because of additional color elements that can be added and a wide choice of texturing possibilities.
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