What is reactive acid staining? AKA chemical Staining?
-Acid staining is a permanent coloration process where a low acid based solution combined with natural metallic salts reacts with the lime present in your concrete. Unlike paint, these stains chemical reaction with the concrete is permanent and will not peal off.
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How many colors are there?
- There are many colors to choose from depending on the type of stain used. Earth tone colors are available with acid stains and more vibrant bright colors can be achieved with pigment stains or dyes.
back to top At what point in the construction process should we schedule the floor staining?
Ideally, you should contact Image-N-Concrete Designs prior to construction for a detailed list of items that drastically affect the concrete staining process. This information will be made available upon request. Due to the difficulty of protecting a finished floor from damage by other trades; we prefer to come in after drywallers, plasterers, painters and tilers but prior to the installation of the kitchen cabinets, islands, toilets and baseboards.
back to top How does the concrete need to be prepared?
- The concrete must be cleaned with a high pressure powerwasher or commercial floor cleaner or buffer. Depending on surface condition certain degreasers or other floor cleaners may need to be used.
back to top Will the colors fade with time?
-Exterior projects are exposed to the sun and other elements and are more susceptible to fading unless properly care for.. The industry does have UV resistant sealers that aid against possible color fading. Sometimes colors may get a little darker with time but overall there will be very little change. Proper maintenance of the surface is critical to keeping it in pristine condition.
back to top What is concrete engraving?
-Concrete engraving is the process of making decorative cuts into the concrete to create patterns, lines or designs. . A penetrating stain is used to transform the color and then a permanent, precise, pattern is engraved (cut) INTO the hard concrete surface with a patented diamond blade engraving machine. This system process is complete by application of a clear top coat to seal the surface area.
back to top How many different designs are there?
- With this process the designs are virtually unlimited. There are many popular designs to choose from or you can bring your own designs. Size is no object.
back to top What will an engraving job look like in several years?
- With periodic maintenance, the surface will look substantially the same years after installation. With no maintenance, over time, engraved bricks or tiles naturally take on an antique or used brick appearance. Many people find this to be a very desirable look.
What caused this is the wear of the protective sealer coats.
back to top How long does it take to complete the engraving process?
- The concrete transformation process will take several days to complete depending upon the size and intricacy of the job and weather conditions. Cleaning and preparing the concrete surface is key to the longevity of the finishes. The areas must be kept clean and uncontaminated as they dry. The stain and finish applications must also be protected from contamination and surface contact during the curing process. The concrete substrate should be isolated (roped off) during each operation to ensure proper adhesion of coatings. The areas must be avoided during the processes and should not be used until the coatings are completely cured. Reuse availability times will be dictated by specific weather conditions and product specifications. Normally a 48 hour waiting period is required after the final finish is applied.
back to top How deep are the cuts?
- The cuts are approximately 1/16" to 1/8" deep. Enough to simulate a nice uniform mortar joint or grout line, to give the full effect of the desired look without being a heal catcher.
back to top How many different colors can be applied to the same engraving?
- Theoretically there is no limit. With the new product being introduced to the industry it is becoming even easier to find as many colors as you want. However the number of colors will depend on the size of the project and how cost conscious the client is.
back to top Can just portions of the concrete slab be engraved?
- Yes, but the entire slab in most cases will be more attractive. It's a matter of personal taste but continuity in a design is generally more pleasing to the eye.
back to top I just poured a new slab. When can I stain it? How soon before I can score it?
Depending on several things like temperature and humidity, with few exceptions, stain manufacturers require a 30-day cure time before staining. Concrete hydrates during cure. As it cures moisture dissipates from the slab. If it is stained to soon the water vapor build up could cause your stain to turn "black" or push the sealer off. How soon a pattern can be scored or engraved depends on the temperature, aggregate type and humidity. Here in Colorado we tend to wait a minimum 48 hours for basic saw cutting and the more decorative detailed saw cuts we tend to give a 7 day grace period before cutting fine detailed lines.
back to top What kind of maintenance does a completed job require?
- A completed project is very low maintenance; basically all you need to do is clean it with a mop and clean water. Depending on traffic and other variables it is suggested that a clear seal coat or coats of concrete wax for interior surface be reapplied as needed.
back to top What happens if the concrete gets chipped or gouged past the stain?
- Chips and gouges are easily repaired and touched up with stain. We record what was used on your job for future reference in case of accidents. We will leave this information with you as requested.
back to top What type of protection do you recommend using to protect the floor during construction?
When covering a floor, we recommend over lapping corrugated cardboard or rosin paper and taping to the cardboard or paper. Do not tape to the concrete; this leaves dark, blocky marks in the concrete, which are permanent. Some builders have placed 2 x 4 planks along the walls to weight the cardboard.
back to top Is it ok for me to place rubber backed rugs or non-open skid weave matting or pads under my rugs?
No! It's not recommended; doing so could result in permanent discoloration in the area's they were placed due to trapped moisture/ vapors or sweating conditions.
back to top How durable are these floors?
These floors should not be considered maintenance free. They will need to be kept clean and clear of any debris that may scratch the surface. For interior jobs you will have a clear wax, also called a wear coat that will need to be reapplied based on the traffic and wear of the floors. For exterior projects a new coat of sealer will need to be applied every few years as the sun and natural elements will wear its sealing properties. These services are available with a maintenance plan.
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