The Best DIY Concrete Coatings

Epoxy

• Epoxy coatings work well on a garage or basement concrete floor. The product is durable and holds up well in a garage when a vehicle drives over the surface. Floor paint can peel when hot tires drive across the floor. Epoxy is available in a variety of colors to fit the decor in the room. In addition to colors, epoxy kits can also include add-ins that provide texture and design to the floor, such as color chips.

Concrete Stain

• Stain is another coloring technique that adds a decorative element to drab, gray concrete. Staining penetrates the material, providing a durable finish for floors and other concrete items in the home. Homeowners can also stencil concrete floors using the staining process to create an intricate design on the floors. Mixing and blending colors can create the look of natural stone on the concrete floor or counter top. Acid-based stains do not cover the surface of the concrete with color. The material changes the color of the concrete.

Overlays

• Overlays update the look of a concrete floor and can hide chips, dents and flaws in the flooring or concrete surface. Cement or polymer overlays can add dimension and color to the concrete surface with a thin or thick coating of material applied to the surface of the concrete.

Dyes

• Concrete dyes offer another solution for concrete flooring or surfaces. Dyes offer a greater choice of vibrant colors than stains, such as yellow, purple and blue. The stains and dyes can be used together to create a design on a concrete floor or surface. Concrete dyes require less time to dry, which can reduce the total application time by up to 60 percent, according to the ConcreteNetwork.com.