Lighten Up Your Basement With White Concrete Stain

This 500-square-foot project began as a basement floor previously covered with carpet. The family wanted to update the floor with a light bright look.

After several conversations with our concrete experts, Ms. Ribble felt confident to begin. She applied white concrete dye and sealed the floor using a satin water-based acrylic sealer. What a way to lighten up the room!

White Concrete Dye Stained Floors — Concrete floors stained with white concrete dye powder & sealed with satin finish acrylic concrete sealer.

“Thanks to Justin and Tyler for all of your help. I really appreciate the attention you give to DIYers. I am very happy with the way my basement floor turned out.

Having our family room in the basement, we were worried about not getting a cozy feel but did not want to use carpet and was exhausted at the thought of tiling such a large room. Love this look and the bright, natural, yet elegant look. Our next project will be a white concrete table!”

– Ribble Family of Wichita, KS

White Concrete Dye — White Vibrance Concrete Dye

Budget/Timing:

$370.55 / 2-3 days for complete project

Project Materials:

5-gallon of White Vibrance dye
3-gallon acetone dye sprayer
3 gallons of satin, AcquaSeal acrylic sealer
HVLP sprayer
1-gallon of ProWax Polish
Floor trim pad applicator
5-gallons of general purpose acetone

Learn How To Apply Concrete Dye with Justin

Create a Budget-Friendly Woodgrain-Effect Cement Floor

Transform your space with a unique and cost-effective woodgrain-effect cement floor. Mix white Portland cement with your chosen pigment from Direct Colors, and apply it to your floor using a chip brush. After curing, use a trowel to smooth the surface and create a woodgrain effect. This DIY project not only adds character to your space but also demonstrates the versatility of concrete pigment.

Before: Unfinished retail space concrete floor with unsightly stains, blotches, and glue residue — Before: Unfinished concrete floor with unsightly stains, blotches, and glue residue

Clean and patched retail space concrete floor, ready for the woodgrain-effect cement overlay application — Clean and patched concrete floor, ready for the woodgrain-effect cement overlay application

Retail space concrete floor with cream beige pigmented overlay applied using a chip brush — Concrete floor with cream beige pigmented overlay applied using a chip brush

Artistic woodgrain effect achieved by skillfully troweling and burnishing the textured top coat.

To create a woodgrain effect on your floor using white Portland cement and pigment, follow these simple steps:

Mix two parts of white Portland cement with the pigment of your choice to create a thick liquid, similar to pancake batter.
Apply the mixture to your floor using a chip brush, spreading it evenly.
Repeat the process to apply a second layer of the mixture on top of the first one.
Allow the overlay to dry and harden for at least 24 hours.
Use a trowel to gently smooth the surface and create a woodgrain pattern by pressing down and dragging the trowel across the ridges.

When working in sections, remember to slightly overlap each new section with the previous one for a seamless look. Ensure your floor is clean and smooth before starting.