Scored and Stained Concrete Inspiration
By Justin Richardson
Transform your outdoor space with a stunning scored concrete patio or add character to your indoor floors with beautiful stained scored concrete. Our before and after gallery showcases a collection of customer projects that demonstrate the limitless possibilities of this versatile material. From classic grey to vibrant hues, see the creative stain ideas that were used to achieve each unique look. Get inspired and learn tips and tricks from our customers on how to achieve the perfect scored concrete finish for your home or commercial space.
Backyard Porch Retreat: Scored Concrete Floor Makeover
When you’re creating a chill zone in the backyard, black concrete stain is an excellent choice. Add in the antique-looking appeal of concrete antiquing stain, and you’ve got a trendy, beautiful scored concrete backyard!
Patio Upgrade: Scored Concrete Kitchen Room Transformed With Acid Staining
Upgrade your patio with this easy kitchen California room transformation project. By using a broom finish technique and acid staining, this 400 sq ft surface was transformed into an elegant and functional outdoor kitchen area. See the before and after photos and learn how you can achieve similar results with acid staining on your own concrete patio.
Courtyard Cola Craze: A Scored Concrete Patio Transformation With Acid Staining
Add a pop of color to your courtyard with this acid-stained scored concrete patio transformation. Using the cola color, this project showcases how acid staining can create a vibrant and unique surface for your outdoor living space. See the before and after photos and learn how you can bring similar life to your own scored concrete courtyard. Discover the endless design possibilities with acid staining,
Revitalizing Scored Concrete Driveway with Colorwave
Sometimes all you need to dress up your drab driveway is a nice vibrant color! ColorWave Tangerine concrete stain was an amazing color choice for this faded scored concrete driveway.
Stunning Scored Stamped Concrete Patio
Here’s another twofer – a scored concrete patio that also happens to be stamped concrete! Cola brown concrete stain is a favorite of our DIYers when it comes to setting the mood for that backyard oasis.
Cola Colored Commercial Floor
Commercial concrete floors need love too! Cola brown acid stain is a wonderful choice to add ambiance to your commercial space. Seal it up with solvent based sealer, and you’re good to go!
Scored Concrete Patio Sanctuary
As with any DIY project, sometimes you just need to ask for advice! After applying three coats of Antiquing Terracotta concrete stain, this DIYer noticed a fine powder-like substance on their scored concrete surface. We assisted them over the phone, to let them know that they could proceed with the concrete sealer.
Patio Extension Paradise
This DIYer’s best advice was “don’t rush it”. We think that this patio expansion project turned out great with them taking their time. What a relaxing back patio lounge area!
Good-Looking Grid Driveway
The only thing fancier than a scored concrete driveway is one that features a grid pattern with multiple colors. With four colors of acid stain, this driveway almost looks too good to drive on!
Terracotta Transformation
This busy DIY mom tried something different – she applied colored concrete sealer by hand with a brush! Her flaking concrete floors ended up with the exact look she was going for.
Applying Outdoor Concrete Stain How to Video
Water Based Tinted Concrete Sealer How To Video
What is Scored Concrete
Scored concrete is a type of decorative concrete surface finish. It is created by cutting lines or grooves into the surface of freshly poured and hardened concrete. These lines can be of various widths, depths, and patterns, and are typically made using a cutting tool such as a concrete saw or grooving machine.
The resulting surface is textured, with a decorative pattern that can be used to create a variety of visual effects. The scoring can serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, it also prevent concrete cracking or spalling. Additionally, scored concrete can be stained, tinted, or painted to further enhance its appearance.
How to Score Concrete
Scoring concrete is a great way to add both function and aesthetics to your concrete surface. Special equipment must be used, such as diamond masonry blades or concrete engraving tools, depending on the desired pattern.
If you’re planning to score your concrete before it’s poured, you can use a groover to create the lines in the fresh concrete, rather than cutting them into hardened concrete. The depth of the score lines does not have to be as deep as control joints, usually ¼ inch is sufficient.
There are many tools available for cutting pattern lines into concrete, including grinders, hand-held saws, and special engraving tools. Combining stains and stencils, tape or custom templates can also produce dramatic effects and create tile patterns, free-form designs and other graphics.
When scoring and staining concrete, keep in mind that if the floor will be all one color, you can cut the lines and patterns after staining is complete. On the other hand, if the colors will change at the pattern line, it’s best to cut the line first to form a barrier and achieve a crisper design. It is also recommended to cut the lines before cleaning the surface, or after applying the first coat of sealer.
