Acid Stain Concrete for Beautifying Concrete

Acid Stain Concrete and dyes have been used to beautify concrete for many years. In fact, decorative concrete has roots that go back almost 2,000 years. A great example is the Roman Pantheon build in approximately 100 AD. This remarkable structure is a decorative concrete marvel.

At that time, volcanoes which had erupted centuries before emitted ash which combined with limestone which was readily available and water created concrete. Master builders started experimenting with concrete to create remarkable structures.

One of the first marvels which transformed Rome to a world power was development of aqueducts made of concrete which brought water from the Alps to the developing city. An abundance of water, ash and sandstone enabled the Romans to develop buildings for worship, education, trade and housing. Communities developed and thrived.

 

Ensuing wealth created vanity and vanity created demand for more ornate structures. Naturally coloring concrete evolved to enhance the decor of the structures. Colored pigments from iron were used as integral color mixed in concrete and also topically for more ornate and detailed design. In recent years, concrete acid stain developed a renaissance as demand for decorative concrete evolved due to visibility of the internet. Now decorative concrete was available for everyone to see with just a few clicks.

Over the past 10 years the technology of photography has enabled every contractor to take pictures of their work and post online for the world to see. The result is explosive demand for acid stained concrete. As demand exploded, new products and uses for stained concrete were created.

Contractors used concrete acid stain, solvent and water based dyes and iron oxide pigments to decorate concrete. Today, you’ll find stained concrete on polished concrete, self-leveling cement, overlays, even concrete countertops, custom sinks, wall panels and precast concrete elements. A recent development is metallic epoxy flooring which looks very similar to the natural look of Acid Stain Concrete.