
Staining a concrete floor typically costs less than tiling. Installing ceramic or porcelain tile costs on average between $15 and $20 per square foot. The cost of staining a concrete floor is usually higher than epoxy. Epoxy coating costs between $3 and $12 per square foot.
Is stained concrete more expensive than other flooring?
However, the price for staining concrete would be less than ceramic tile, carpet or hardwood floors because the cost of the staining chemicals is less than those other products. Stained floor. Beyond its lower cost, stained concrete can provide a rich and elegant surface that is also easy to clean and, therefore, more durable.
How much does it cost to stain a concrete slab?
Natural stone tiles cost between $20 and $50 per square foot. Staining an existing concrete slab can cost $2 to $15 per foot. However, if a concrete slab must be installed, or the staining processes included multiple stains, stamping or scoring, the cost can quickly double or even triple.
Is it cheaper to stain or seal new concrete?
Stained Concrete Cost. It is usually much more cost-effective to stain new concrete that has not been sealed or previously covered with another flooring material. Contractors will generally reduce their rates as the total square footage of the job increases.
Can You stain concrete the same as tile?
The process of staining concrete, as well as its increasing popularity, has led to the development of a rainbow of concrete stains and paints, giving you the same versatility as ceramic or porcelain tiles. By adding scoring or stamped designs, stained concrete replicates the exact appearance of tile work.

Is it cheaper to stain concrete or lay tile?
Generally speaking, it costs more to install tile than to stain concrete. Installing ceramic or porcelain tile costs $15 to $20 per square foot on average. A 1,000-square-foot stained concrete project costs $11,000, and a tile project will run $17,500.
Is staining concrete cheaper than flooring?
Is Stained Concrete Expensive? Starting at just $2 per square foot, a stained concrete floor is less expensive than tile, wood, or natural stone flooring. However, as you add customization, the price rises and becomes comparable to more expensive flooring like slate or marble.
Is it cheaper to tile or polished concrete?
Because material and labor costs for tile are high, polished concrete is often significantly less expensive than tile in new residential construction and renovation. Depending on slab size and gloss level, a cream polished concrete floor is generally $3.50 to $5 per square foot.
Does stained concrete increase home value?
Concrete flooring resale value A stained or stamped concrete floor generally adds to your home's value on resale.
How long does concrete stain last?
Although concrete stain is permanent and won't flake off like paint, it penetrates only the top layer of the concrete surface and will eventually wear away as the surface is worn by traffic or weather exposure.
Are stained concrete floors hard to maintain?
Low-maintenance: The same properties that make concrete floors so durable also make them easy to care for. Properly sealed concrete floors shrug off dirt, grit, stains, spills, and hard impacts. A little sweeping and damp mopping is all that's required to keep them looking like new.
Which is better tiles or concrete floor?
Polished concrete is more durable than tile, easier to clean, and surprisingly affordable. You'll get a shiny, seamless floor uninterrupted by tile grout lines. If you're a skilled DIYer, you may be able to lay tile yourself, while polishing requires special equipment and training.
Is stained concrete cheaper than vinyl plank?
Vinyl flooring is less expensive, less loud, and comes in a variety of colors when compared to polished concrete. However, polished concrete offers more durability, longevity, as well as unique customization, making it a useful flooring choice for high-traffic areas.
What is the best finish for concrete floors?
EpoxyEpoxy is the most durable concrete finish and can be poured into cracks and crevices to help level the surface. But epoxy also is available in a variety of colors, allowing you to create unique hues and designs on your floor so you can even make a concrete floor look pretty.
Are stained concrete floors expensive?
Stained Concrete Cost - $2 to $4 per square foot. Concrete Overlay Cost - $3 to $7 per square foot. Polished Concrete Cost - $3 to $12 per square foot.
Which is better epoxy or stained concrete?
Both stained concrete and Nature Stone flooring will last for years with proper care, but stone epoxy tends to be slightly more durable than stained concrete. The reason for this is because the sealant used on top of stained concrete wears down faster than stone epoxy.
Is Acid stained concrete slippery?
Like any hard, smooth surface, stained concrete can become slippery when wet, especially if it has been coated with a high-gloss sealer.
Is stained concrete cheaper than vinyl plank?
Vinyl flooring is less expensive, less loud, and comes in a variety of colors when compared to polished concrete. However, polished concrete offers more durability, longevity, as well as unique customization, making it a useful flooring choice for high-traffic areas.
Are stained concrete floors expensive?
Stained Concrete Cost - $2 to $4 per square foot. Concrete Overlay Cost - $3 to $7 per square foot. Polished Concrete Cost - $3 to $12 per square foot.
Is concrete cheaper than wood 2021?
Constructing a concrete house usually costs 4 to 8 percent more than a wooden house, and sometimes might be as much as 10 percent more. However, there are many cost advantages to concrete homes, even though construction pricing is higher.
How much does it cost to make concrete look like wood?
How Much Do Faux Wood Finished Concrete Floors Cost? The cost for a DIY faux wood concrete floor design is about $2 – $4 per square foot. If you were to hire a professional contractor, you can expect the cost to be about $8 – $10 per square foot.
What does stained concrete look like?
With the help of an experienced professional, stained concrete can look like marble, slate, travertine or terra cotta. The process of staining concrete, as well as its increasing popularity, has led to the development of a rainbow of concrete stains and paints, giving you the same versatility as ceramic or porcelain tiles.
How much does it cost to install tile?
Installation of ceramic tile costs between $11 and $22 per square foot, according to the website Concrete Network. Natural stone tiles cost between $20 and $50 per square foot. Staining an existing concrete slab can cost $2 to $15 per foot. However, if a concrete slab must be installed, or the staining processes included multiple stains, stamping or scoring, the cost can quickly double or even triple. The expense of remodeling includes the removal of previous flooring, repair or installation of a suitable subfloor and then installation of the desired flooring type. New installation of tile typically is much more DIY-friendly than that of poured concrete. For example, you can cut individual tiles with handheld power tools or a rented saw, while scoring and finishing a concrete floor is a professional job.
Is concrete flooring good for outdoor use?
Both concrete and tile flooring are suitable for indoor and outdoor construction. With the introduction of staining and stamping techniques that mimic the appearance of luxurious tile, concrete flooring has expanded from industrial and commercial applications to the heart of the home. Its versatility as countertops and back splashes make many people wonder if stained concrete or tile is the better choice for their home.
Is tile a hard surface?
Tile durability depends on your choice of material. Marble is a hard surface but is prone to etching and discoloration from water, making it unsuitable for flooring in bathrooms, kitchens and entryways. Terra cotta and slate provide a rustic look but are not impact-resistant and crack or crumble easily.
Is terra cotta tile or slate?
Terra cotta and slate provide a rustic look but are not impact-resistant and crack or crumble easily. Travertine is ideal for high traffic areas with both indoor or outdoor flooring. Both tile and concrete require regular cleaning with mild, non-abrasive cleaners. High traffic areas require polishing to prevent clouding of the sealant.
Can you stain concrete like tile?
Since cost is not relatively equivalent and stained concrete can be made to look like almost any tile, the answer is personal preference. Some people prefer to say they have marble tile installed in their living room. Other people are perfectly happy to fool their friends with a marble-like stain. Concrete has greater durability outdoors, particularly in high traffic areas, and staining an existing concrete slab may be seem the less labor-intensive choice to a homeowner.
How much does Kemiko's Cola cost per sq ft?
We stained ours ourselves with Kemiko's Cola color, came out to about 30 cents per sq ft. :)
Is stained concrete less expensive than ceramic tile?
This house is new construction ranch with full walkout basement. We originally thought we would do ceramic tile in the foyer, baths, mudroom and wood floors in the kitchen, dining, study and carpet in the bedrooms.
How much does it cost to stain concrete?
For a basic application of a single stain color with sealer and minimal surface prep, most decorative concrete contractors charge between $2 and $4 per square foot.
How long does stained concrete last?
Properly sealed and maintained stained concrete will last for decades and rarely needs replacement. It's not vulnerable to tearing, gouging, mold, or water damage. Even if the stained surface wears after time, it can often be brought back to life with some touchup staining and reapplication of the protective coating.
Is Stained Concrete Expensive?
Starting at just $2 per square foot, a stained concrete floor is less expensive than tile, wood, or natural stone flooring. However, as you add customization, the price rises and becomes comparable to more expensive flooring like slate or marble.
Can you stain concrete that has not been sealed?
Get a quote from a contractor near you. It is usually more cost-effective to stain new concrete that has not been sealed or previously covered with another flooring material. If old carpet, tile or other flooring needs to be removed and the underlying concrete ground and cleaned, expect labor costs to rise.
Can I Save Money by Staining My Concrete Myself?
Yes, going the DIY route will save you money, since you won't have to pay for labor costs. However, you'll run the risk of an increase in errors, taking longer to finish the project, and not getting the final look you desire. We recommend that staining be left to the pros for these reasons and others mentioned in this article covering DIY staining vs. hiring a pro.
What is stained concrete?
Vinyl or linoleum. Wood or wood laminate. Natural stone (such as slate or marble) Stained concrete. Available in a wide spectrum of colors Stained concrete has a unique beauty that's brought to life by different finishing and coloring techniques.
What is decorative stained concrete?
Decorative stained concrete offers a number of advantages that other flooring materials can't match, particularly when it comes to design versatility. Here, we compare stained concrete floors with some of the alternatives.
Can concrete be used for radiant heat?
No. No. Yes. Can radiate heat and store solar energy Concrete flooring is often a central component of passive solar home designs, because the slab absorbs the heat of the sun during the day and releases the stored heat as needed at night. Concrete is also ideal for use with radiant floor heating systems.
Is concrete flooring durable?
Yes. Yes. Yes. No. No. Unlimited. Longevity and performance Few flooring materials have the longevity of concrete. Carpet, tile and even wood floors eventually need replacement, which uses up resources and creates disposal problems (see Durability and Resource Conservation ). Poor.
How much does it cost to stain concrete?
Typically, staining concrete costs between $7 and $15 per square foot.
How long does stained concrete last?
Stained concrete can last for as long as 100 years so long as you wax or seal the floor once or twice every 12 months.
What are the different types of concrete stains?
There are two basic types of concrete stains: 1 Acid-based stains contain hydrochloric acid and metallic salts. These elements react with the calcium hydroxide in the concrete to produce coloring. Their color palette consists mainly of earth tones, and they produce a marble or mottled appearance. 2 Water-based stains consist of water with polymers and pigments that are added to create the color. They have a more extended color palette and produce a uniform effect.
How much does it cost to seal a 256 foot patio?
The average cost of staining and sealing a 256-foot concrete patio with a film-forming sealer is $2,920. Using a penetrating sealer, the average cost is $2,945.
What is the difference between acid based and water based stain?
Acid-based stains contain hydrochloric acid and metallic salts. These elements react with the calcium hydroxide in the concrete to produce coloring. Their color palette consists mainly of earth tones, and they produce a marble or mottled appearance. Water-based stains consist of water with polymers and pigments that are added to create the color.
How much does a water based stain cost?
Water-based stains are also referred to as “nonreactive stains” and cost approximately $2 per square foot for a solid color stain.
How much does a film forming sealer cost?
There are two basic types of sealers: Film-forming sealers cost between $0.25 and $0.50 per square foot. They can be solvent based or water based and offer protection from water, fire, food and planter stains. Penetrating sealers cost between $0.20 and $0.75 per square foot.
What Influences the Cost of Stained Concrete?
Part of the cost of anything is due to supplies, the size of the job, materials needed, and level of expertise. That is often why you will find some estimates to be higher or lower than the average rate per square foot. Let’s look at all the ways the cost can be influenced.
Is Concrete Staining Cheaper or More Expensive than Tile, Wood & Other Flooring Options?
The best way to make decisions on stained concrete patios vs other flooring options is to comparison shop. In the chart below, we provide those comparisons based on average prices on basic installation. Be sure to price-check in your area to understand the true cost you are facing.
How long does it take to stain a concrete floor?
Staining a concrete floor takes time. Depending upon the staining product you choose, you could spend from two to five days applying this finish. The more complicated the number of design features and colors, the longer the process. This applies only to concrete that is already in good shape.
How much does it cost to stain a house?
In some cases, a simple stain job could run you only $3,000 if you use a contractor who doesn’t specialize in this service, but if you are going for a look that is magazine worthy, you could easily spend $18,000 or more, say Home Advisor analysts.
What is a polished concrete floor?
Polished concrete is a durable, water-resistant floor treatment that requires preparing cement surfaces with a planetary grinder that opens up concrete pores.
How much per square foot to stain patio?
If your intent is to stain a patio rather than an interior room, add film-forming sealers (up to 50-cents per square foot) and penetrating sealers (up to 75-cents per square foot), so the sun’s UV rays don’t go to work on your beautifully stained exterior floor finish.
Can you stain concrete?
Staining concrete won’t hide floor flaws. While a careful staining job will improve the look of a concrete floor, stains – especially if you opt for an acid-based product – won’t hide imperfections and in fact, the stain could make them look worse. Even small issues like cracking or discolorations on surfaces can be intensified once a stain is applied and the floor finishes drying. You can avoid some of this if you take Herculean methods to prepare the floor before you stain, but if you find that you can’t rectify things, you may not want to proceed.
Does concrete stain add color?
“ Concrete stain does more than simply add color. Rather than produce a solid, opaque effect like paint or colored coatings, stains permeate the concrete to infuse it with rich, deep, translucent tones. ” There is literally no other way to get this type of decorative floor finish and since no two floors will look alike, concrete lends its own personality to the colors and patterns you choose.
Is stained concrete flooring good?
Pros of Stained Concrete Flooring. Stained cement is environmentally friendly. Stain your concrete floors for a permanent solution that can last for a century. You won’t have to replace wood, faux wood, carpet or tile, all of which are likely to wind up in landfills once they no longer serve their purposes. By taking a pass on wood flooring you ...
