Stained Concrete Driveways

There’s no doubt that stamped concrete driveways are gorgeous but they are often a higher priced luxury that many of us can’t quite afford. If that is the case for you as well, you may want to consider a stained concrete driveway which can offer a similar look to stamped concrete. Staining concrete is an economical approach to creating a customized and unique driveway for your home. Stained concrete can instantly add curb appeal to either a new driveway or can also be applied to an existing driveway. Concrete stains come in a variety of color options and can be applied after the concrete sets which gives contractors and installers the ability to custom design colors for subtle hints or even bolder design accents. Some contractors are even skilled enough at this technique to create custom graphics and designs. The best part of stained concrete is that the color permeates deep into the concrete which produces a fade and stain-resistant color that won’t flake or peel away.

Design versatility is one of the benefits of going with a stained concrete driveway. Homeowners can choose from acid-based chemical stains or water-based stains. Both types of stains are excellent choices but depending on the look and design you are going for one may be better than the other for your unique project. Acid stains react with the concrete to create a chemical reaction and penetrate the concrete which creates natural color variations in the concrete. Many people prefer acid-based stains because of the character and unique mottling effects it adds to concrete. Acid-based stain colors are usually limited to earth tones such as browns, terra cottas, tans and soft blues and greens. If earth tones aren’t your jam, you may want to ask your concrete contractor about using water-based stains which are offered in a wide variety of color options. In addition to the already large number of color options, water-based stains can also be mixed much like water-based paints which even further enlarges color options.

​After making the hard choice about concrete stain colors using either acid-based or water-based stains it’s time to decide on a number of different design options. Concrete contractors can create endless design options for the homeowner using techniques like faux finishing, decorative saw cuts and stenciling.
The options truly are endless! Here are some design ideas to fuel your imagination!

• Combine stains with concrete dyes or integral color to create unique decorative effects.
• Use saw cuts and stain to create a faux tile look.
• Layer multiple colors of acid-based stain to mimic the look of natural stone. This techniques pairs well with saw cuts that mimic random stone patters.
• Utilize stencil patterns along with stain to create custom graphic designs.
• Add visual appeal to your driveway by staining the concrete border a contrasting yet complementing color.
• Get creative or keep it simple by using just one stain color in a hue that will complement your home or landscape. Even a simple approach can add instant curb appeal and value to your home.