Concrete Staining in Chicago
Acid and water-based stains that color the concrete itself for a permanent, aged-stone look. Sealed for an easy-clean finish indoors and out.
Color that becomes part of the slab
Paint sits on top of concrete and peels. Stain soaks in. Acid stains react with the minerals in the slab to create mottled, variegated tones that look like natural stone or leather. Water-based stains give you a wider color range and more control. Either way, the color becomes part of the floor.
We stain basements, patios, retail floors, restaurants, offices and lofts across Chicago and the western suburbs.
Acid stain or water-based stain
| Acid stain | Water-based stain | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Mottled, natural, variegated | More uniform, wider palette |
| Colors | Earth tones: browns, tans, greens | Almost any color, including grays and blues |
| Best for | Rustic, stone-like floors | Modern and branded spaces |
How we stain concrete
Clean and prep
Stain only works on open, clean concrete. We grind or clean the slab to remove sealers, glue and grime, then repair cracks.
Apply color
Stain is applied in layers to build depth. We can add borders, scoring or patterns.
Neutralize and seal
Acid stains are neutralized, then the floor is sealed with a clear sealer or top-coat matched to the traffic. Interior floors can also be waxed or polished for extra shine.
- Permanent color that will not peel or flake.
- Budget friendly compared to tile or wood.
- Indoor and outdoor use with the right sealer.
Stained concrete floors: where they work best
Stained concrete floors suit spaces where you want the look of the slab itself, with color and character instead of a thick coating on top.
- Basements and lower levels: a warm, finished look on a slab that stays cool and easy to clean.
- Retail, restaurants and offices: a durable floor with a designed look that does not need carpet or tile.
- Living spaces on slab: an earthy, marbled finish that pairs well with rugs.
Acid stain gives a mottled, variegated look that is different on every slab. Water-based stain gives more even, predictable color and a wider palette. Both are sealed after staining. If the slab has old glue, paint or coatings, we remove them with concrete grinding first, since stain needs bare, porous concrete to take. Want a smoother, glossier finish? Compare with concrete polishing or the solid colors on our epoxy floor color chart.
Concrete staining cost
Stain and seal usually runs $3.50 to $6 per square foot installed. Floors with glue, paint or heavy damage cost more because of the prep.
Bring us a slab. We will tell you the truth about it.
On-site measure and moisture test at no cost. Written number valid 30 days.
(773) 908-4913Mon to Sat, 7am to 6pm
Request EstimateReal floors from our crew
How your concrete staining project runs
Color consult
We test stain colors on your slab so you see the real result.
Prep
Grinding or cleaning, plus crack repair.
Stain
Layered color, borders or patterns.
Seal
Neutralize and seal for traffic and cleaning.
Pair it with
Most floors combine more than one system. These are the ones we install alongside concrete staining most often.
What our customers say
Real reviews from our Google Business Profile.
“Manny and Chris did an excellent job sealing and fixing multiple cracks in my garage floor. Epoxied the floor and now it is 10x better looking than before, all at a decent price!”
“F&L flooring are amazing. Redid my entire basement floor and could not be more pleased. The company is as professional as it gets when creating what I asked for. Would definitely recommend.”
“Truly very professional. Explained everything they had to get done, they did it, and it was very clean after the job was done. Price was very, very fair.”
Plan your floor before we show up
Built by the crew that grinds the floors. No email required.
Epoxy Cost Calculator
Price your garage, basement or shop floor in 30 seconds using real Chicago-area ranges.
Open toolFlake Color Visualizer
Mix base colors and flake blends and see your garage floor before we grind a thing.
Open toolFloor System Finder
Answer five quick questions and get the coating system that fits your space and budget.
Open toolSee stain colors on your own slab
We bring test colors to the free estimate. Call or send the form.