How to Create Patterns in Stained Concrete

Stained concrete can be a beautiful addition to any home. A stained driveway can dramatically alter the initial impression of your house. If you wish to make your stained concrete even more impressive, then consider staining with patterns. You can actually make concrete appear to be beautiful tiled stones by using a scoring stain pattern that is fairly simple to manage once you get the hang of it. The process itself if fairly simple, but if you are unfamiliar with these tools, then you need to get some training and practice before you simply start sawing away on your driveway.

Things You'll Need

• Small angle grinder
• Masonry grinding wheel (4 inches by 1/4 inch by 5/8 inch)
• Safety glasses
• Work gloves
• Pencil with soft, dark lead
• Yardstick
• Paper

Instructions

1. Draw your pattern on a piece of paper. Keep it simple. If you make your pattern too complex, then the stonework will simply be distracting. Consider a simple tiled effect like a running bond brick pattern (same pattern as bricks in a brick wall) or a central geometric design like a star. Avoid curved lines unless you have a lot of experience with using the grinder.

2. Draw your pattern on the concrete. You will create your patterns before you actually stain the concrete. Then you will simply stain the scored concrete to enhance the design you created. Use the yardstick to make sure that lines are straight and even, and draw on the concrete with the pencil.

3. Score the concrete along the lines that you drew. Use the angle grinder. Use gentle pressure and follow the exact lines that you drew. The grinding wheel will make deep enough scores that you can easily stain the shapes you make in different colors or that a tiled pattern will look like it has been mortared together.

4. Stain the concrete. You can use any type of concrete stain that you wish. You might like a solid color or you may prefer to add some swirls and variation to give the look of marble or other polished stone. Once you have stained and polished the concrete, you can go back to your pattern work.

5. Rescore the lines in your pattern. This will remove any stain that may have gotten into the lines. It will bring out your pattern more brightly because the lines will be completely white again.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety goggles and gloves when you are working with power tools and concrete stain.

References

• Ideas for Patterns for Stained Concrete