Acid Staining: The Cheap Marble Floors

Have you ever dreamed about having marble floors in your kitchen, bathroom, or entry way? Acid Staining is the solution for those of you who can't quite afford the extreme prices of marble. Acid staining is so beautiful, many professionals cannot tell the difference between marble and a well done acid stain.

The word acid stain is deceptive. As a matter of fact, there is no actual staining involved in the acid stain process. Natural calcium hydroxide in concrete is reacted with water and the acid's metallic salts. A chemical reaction occurs and creates an insoluble, brilliant color. This color can never be washed away from the concrete. It becomes part of the concrete permanently.

In the beginning of acid staining, there were only three colors: brown, black, and blue-green. Now, however, a customer can choose almost any color he/she would like. The possibilities are endless. You can create a brilliant masterpiece of color in your foyer that everyone will ooh and ah over. After putting a finishing wax coat on the acid stained cement, no one will be able to tell the difference between your cement and marble. It's almost like magic.

You may be wondering about pricing. Acid staining is quite a lot cheaper to create than marble flooring. However, acid staining is somewhat of an art form and the professionals are paid likewise. Basic staining can cost about $2-$4 per square foot. If you happen to need intricate saw patterns and multiple colors your floor could cost you about $15 per square foot. Pricing of acid staining all depends on your personal preference and your budget.

When choosing an acid stain contractor it is important to choose a professional with a lot of experience. The final seal of an acid stained floor is essential to the life of the floor. The acid staining only penetrates 1/32 of an inch into the concrete floors. If your contractor is not skilled in preparing your floor before applying the chemical compounds, you might have premature cracking and a damaged floor.