What Are the Benefits of Water Based Stains?

Stained concrete floors are not only beautiful but also provide one of the least expensive sustainable flooring options for interior and exterior concrete surfaces. Water based stains offer multiple benefits including low VOC content, easier clean up and several color options.

Benefits

a) Easy Application: Water based stains are easy to apply. Unlike chemical (acid) stains, they not require washing of residue and neutralizing the surface subsequently to apply the sealers. The residue form acid stain clean-up needs to be disposed of properly. The contractors have to check local laws to dispose of the acid stain clean-up. The beauty of water based stains is that they do not require any clean-up after their application on the concrete surface.

b) UV Stability: Some manufacturers produce water based concrete stains that are UV resistant. These stains can be applied interior as well as exterior surfaces. They do not fade away over a period of time.

c) Low VOC Content: Zero or very low VOC content in these water based stains make them more attractive not only to Architects and Designers but also to the end users as they create a healthier ambiance. Depending upon the binder used, the use of these stains may contribute to the LEED points. The contractors like them because they do not have breathe caustic chemicals and go through the messy process of cleaning the residue and disposing it.

d) Color options: Unlike acid stains, water based stains offer several color options. These colors are usually vibrant and diluted and blended to create multiple hues.

Limitations

a) Artistic touch: To create nice variegated colors on the floor, it mandates that the applicator has an artistic eye for colors. In the hands of a non-artistic applicator, the surface may look a painted floor.

b) Graphics: If a project calls for developing graphics on the floor surface using stenciling, then water based stains are not the best option. Sometimes they seep under a stencil and do not produce a nice sharp edge.

c) Spraying the sealer: Most of the water based concrete stains manufactured remain on the surface. To lock the stains, they have to be locked in with the application of a sealer that can be sprayed. You may see roller marks if the sealer is rolled and not sprayed.

Please feel free to contact us to discuss your project requirements with us.