If you are wondering what kind of driveway to install in your home, know this, concrete stained driveways are a favorite to many homeowners. These driveways have won the hearts of many. They are durable and can handle foot traffic for up to five years.
If you are looking for something that will withstand vehicle traffic and give your driveway an elegant look, you are reading the right article.
Thanks to the breakthrough in decorative concrete technology, homeowners like you can now have the style and color that fits their taste and preference. Here we will take you through the concrete options used mostly in concrete driveways in San Jose, but before that, let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of concrete staining.
Benefits of Driveway Staining
Diverse nature
One of the advantages of stained concrete is that the material used is of a diverse nature. These materials are available in different colors ranging from light shades of tan and brown to blue and dark shades. You can always choose a color that syncs with the overall theme of your home.
Customizable
Stained concrete also grants the contractor a chance to create a design and pattern the driveway in line with your desires. This driveway allows the contractor to achieve this magic when the concrete is still wet.
Durable
When used with a sealant, stained concrete is durable. The sealant serves as a waterproof and acts as a block between the concrete and the runoff from snow and rain. A suitable sealant is a barrier to the vehicles’ oils and spills. This makes a driveway easier to clean and wipe away using a damp piece of cloth or kitty litter.
Disadvantages of Driveway Staining
Frequent Repair
Although stained concrete is durable, it can’t withstand extreme traffic. Stained concrete driveways subjected to heavy traffic will require you to repair them after a few years. The concrete lasts for about five years.
Difficulty to Match
This driveway can also develop cracks and chips due to advanced weather conditions like extremely cold temperature, high humidity levels, rainfall, or even snow. Such scenarios may call for installing new concrete, making it difficult to replace the initial stain with a matching color.
Costly Installations
If the damage was extreme, the homeowner might have to use an acid to etch away the old stain, and the process may be costly
Staining Options
Acid-based Stain for Concrete Driveways
These are acid stains that are mainly composed of hydrochloric acid and soluble metallic acid salts.
When applied to the concrete, these stains penetrate the surface while reacting chemically with the concrete’s hydrated lime. The acid in the stain etches the surface, making it easy for the metallic salt to penetrate. After it reacts, the stain becomes part of the concrete and won’t fade or chip off easily.
Water-Based Stains
Water-based stains are stains that, unlike acid-based paints, come in a wide range of colors, and in many cases, they can be blended like water-based paints, to expand the choices.
Water-based stains work by flowing into the concrete surface via pores and bonding with concrete elements without chemically reacting with them. This implies they are not permanent, and if sealants are not applied, they can be washed away easily.
Driveway Staining Near Me
Although concrete is durable and can withstand foot traffic, you will need to do more if you have a vehicle within your compound. Stained concrete can withstand both cars and foot traffic for up to five years. Not only does the stained concrete enhance durability, but it also makes your concrete look stylish and elegant. However, with positive outcomes, you’ll have to hire a professional contractor in San Jose.