You have decided to stain your concrete surface and you pick up the color chart only to stare at a huge selection of colors. The choice isn’t just between a semi-transparent or solid stain, but also on which color. The difference between semi-transparent and solid is just that. The semi-transparent stain is translucent and allows for the concrete surface to show through the tinted-stain. The semi-transparent stains can be sprayed in a pattern of random droplets and as multiple applications build, each is a little darker giving the surface a variegated look, more like the appearance of a natural stone product. This surface treatment is what we call “distressed”. The solid stains have a monochromatic look, in either flat or gloss, they look like paint. Acrylic, epoxy or urethane systems, all in solid colors look like paint.

What’s the Difference?

There are paints specially designed to protect wood and metal surfaces. There are even specialty paints for concrete surfaces like patios and basement floors, but even a basic system designed for the protection of concrete in either acrylic, epoxy or urethane will have performance far exceeding even the best quality paint.

Semi-transparent vs Solids Stains

You want to use a solid color to hide damage that has been repaired. This gives you a clean canvas that you can embellish with highlight colors in another solid color or semi-transparent. If your surface is uniform in color then you can use a semi-transparent to create the layered distressed look. Either way you go the protection is the same.

Light vs Dark

Whether you are doing driveways or interior flooring, generally speaking light colors show dirt. It’s like having a white doormat. For surfaces with the heaviest traffic, go as dark as you can stand. When you speak of pool decking, patios and walkways, generally speaking light colors produce more glare and darkest colors are hot under foot. As in most cases a gentle medium is best.

Gloss vs Flat

Surfaces needing high light reflectivity obviously would choose gloss, whereas surfaces with a natural texture and color might look best in flat. Gloss surfaces show more dimensional detail giving them a more 3-D look while flat surfaces will not show the details as much.

Rough vs Smooth Surfaces

Concrete surfaces affect color perception. If your concrete surface is smooth, it will reflect color and light as a single facet back to your eye, whereas a rough surface is multi-faceted and will reflect light from many points and appear a half-shade lighter than expected.

If a surface has both rough and smooth surface, a solid color will bring out the discrepancies and make it look worse. The variegated look of a Distressed finish will hide those discrepancies.

Creating Ambiance

You get a totally different feeling from a gray cooler color compared to a warm gold or brown. A dark charcoal stain on a pool deck makes it very dramatic and sophisticated. If you want something more natural, use brown, gold or tan color. Consider what kind mood you would like to create.

Characteristics of Color

Red = Excitement: Red is bold, powerful and very appealing color. It is often related to fire, fire fighters, and fire trucks. Use red in a room to create energy or vibrant mood.

Yellow = Optimistic: Yellow is the color of light or sun. It is very bright and vibrant as well. It can also create a feeling of warmth and energy.

Orange = Energetic: Many associate orange with gold. It can suggest wealth, prosperity and happiness. It is a brilliant color that also gives you energy and warmth. (Brown = Stability) Brown is a form of orange that is very practical and can be used in any manner.

Green = Refreshing: Green is the color of nature. It gives the feeling of natural, genuine and suggests sincerity. It represents health and wealth.

Violet = Royalty: Violet symbolizes splendor, royalty and pomp. It is the color of night and darkness. It has a calming and soothing effect. The tints of violet known as lavender have a feminine appeal to it.

Blue = Calm: Blue symbolizes sky and water. It represents patience, hope and quietness. It is the color of preference to many people. Therefore is a very popular color. It is considered to be a very safe color to use. It is another color that is cooling, calming and soothing. (Gray = Practical) Gray is another very safe color that is a natural looking color such as granite, stone or rock.

Combining Colors

Combining colors creates different types of harmony. This can totally change the atmosphere in an area.

A monochromatic color scheme uses two or more tones of one color. That means a combination of tints and shades of the same color.

Complementary colors are the use of two or more colors that complement each other. Complementary harmony forms contrast that attracts attention.

Analogous color harmony is the use of colors that are related. Red and orange for example harmonize because orange is a combination of red and yellow. Just like yellow and orange can be combined.

Few Tips on How to Get Color Inspiration for Concrete Surfaces

For color inspiration look around the area and note what surrounds the concrete surface. Other places to look for color inspiration:

• Make note your favorite color(s).
• A piece of art, furniture or focal point
• Nature: flowers, river, ocean, leaves, etc.
• Other building materials: granite, marble, wood, etc.

The great thing about color and color combinations is that it is endless. You can be very creative with it. You can be conservative and use colors that are common together or be daring and adventurous by using unusual color combinations.

If you are in a commercial environment, then an unexpected, exciting color can be used or use the company colors. For residential environments, consider resale value of your home. If you are thinking about using an extreme or unusual color, it may turn off potential buyers.