Summer is the perfect time to enjoy your yard and host a barbecue or two on your concrete patio. You can upgrade with new patio furniture and planting fresh blooms around the backyard, but the best way to wow your summer guests is to add a concrete coating to your patio. If you already have a cement patio, you have two main options for concrete coatings. Both are beautiful and functional options, but you may find one suits your tastes better.
Painting Concrete
The painting process begins with carefully cleaning the concrete. Exterior concrete paint is applied carefully with rollers and brushes. Paint is opaque and sits right on top of your concrete. It can be reapplied or sealed with clear gloss to preserve the quality.
Pros of Paint
The color options for paint are nearly endless, making your design desires completely within your control. The process is also much easier to complete as a DIY project, comparative to other concrete coatings. Another reason some homeowners opt for paint is that it can cover up concrete that has seen better days. This coat of paint provides a layer of protection for the cement, but the opaque qualities of concrete paint can also cover discoloration and stains due to grease, oil, or other factors. Unlike stain, with paint, you will know exactly how the color will look, no matter where you apply it.
Cons of Paint
Some reasons you might not want to choose paint for your concrete patio include upkeep and weathering. Paint is susceptible to chipping and scratching, especially if you drag heavy patio furniture across the surface. Harsh weather can also damage paint more than other concrete coatings. Concrete also needs etching or roughing before paint will adequately adhere, which is extra work and can require the help of equipment.
Acid Staining Concrete
Staining concrete produces an effect that is unique and deeper than paint coating. Acid staining begins with cleaning, just like paint coatings, but the process is much more intensive. Staining requires more applications of layers, a much stronger concentration of chemicals, and a curing process.
Pros of Staining
Stains penetrate the porous concrete, making it a more permanent and untouchable concrete coating. The finish is more custom and can even take on a look of stone or wood. Warm tones are often chosen to contribute to a rustic or outdoor look–perfect for your backyard patio.
Cons of Staining
Staining can be unpredictable. The moisture, aging, and other factors can cause the acid stain to take differently. Staining is also a long process and is best accomplished with the help of concrete professionals, like Hard Rock Concrete Coatings. Your options for acid staining colors aren’t quite as diverse as paint, either.
Upgrade Your Patio
Your concrete patio can upgrade in just a few steps with acid staining or concrete paint. Assess the needs and design of your yard and determine which is the right choice for you. Hard Rock Concrete Coatings specializes in making your concrete something spectacular.
