Stain colors concrete without hiding it. We stain patios and floors in San Jose, including old slabs uncovered when carpet comes up, and we always do a test area first.
Staining changes the colour of concrete without covering it. The stain soaks into the surface, so the result is translucent and a little varied, more like leather or stone than paint. It suits patios, porches, garage and shop floors, and interior slabs that are being left exposed. It works on new concrete once it has cured and on old concrete that is clean and sound.
The condition of the slab decides the result. Stain does not hide anything. Cracks, patches, old glue lines and oil spots all show through and can stand out more. Many San Jose homes have slabs that sat under carpet or tile for fifty years, and they carry tack-strip holes and adhesive that have to be ground off first. We do a test area on your slab so you see the real colour before the whole floor is done.
Outdoors, sun is the enemy. Months of cloudless valley summer fade some stain colours and wear out the sealer that protects them. We use products rated for exterior use, choose colours that age gracefully, and tell you to expect resealing every few years. A glossy sealer on a wet patio is slippery, so outdoor work gets a low-sheen sealer with a grip additive.
Concrete staining in San Jose: common questions
Can the slab under my old carpet be stained?
Often, yes. It has to be stripped of glue and patched where tack strips were nailed. Those repairs will show as part of the character of the floor. A test patch tells us whether you will like the look.
Acid stain or water-based stain?
Acid stain reacts with the concrete and gives earthy, mottled browns, tans and blue-greens. Water-based stain offers more colours and a more even result. We choose by the look you want and what the slab will accept.
How long does outdoor stain last here?
The colour is in the surface and lasts well. The sealer on top wears in the sun and under foot traffic and needs renewing from time to time. We do not promise a fixed number of years.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We visit and measure.
- Written quote: Clear pricing with finish options.
- Prep & forms: We excavate, grade, compact the base and set forms and reinforcement.
- Pour, finish & cure: We pour, finish, cut control joints and tell you when you can use it.