Stenciling Concrete Floors

Stencils offer nearly unlimited options for taking interior concrete floors over the top. Now there are more options than ever for producing attractive yet economical color and texture combinations with concrete stenciling. There are a variety of stenciling techniques and hundreds of patterns to choose from.

Stenciled Flooring Pictures Browse images of concrete floors that have been transformed using stencils.

Concrete Stencil Videos Watch 5 videos on when and why interior and exterior concrete stencils are used.

Outdoor Stencils Get information on using stencils on exterior concrete patios, pool decks and other surfaces.

Adhesive Stencils Check out a collection of concrete projects that used adhesive-backed stencils.

How to Stencil Concrete Floors Discover six expert do's and don'ts for a successful stenciling project.

Logos & Graphics in Concrete Learn how stencils and decals are used to create logos and custom graphics on concrete floors.

How Concrete Stencils Work

Stencils - Ideas & Techniques
Time: 01:45
Watch an overview of the five critical factors affecting a successful stamped concrete job.

The stenciling process can vary greatly, depending on the type of stencil used, whether the stencils are applied directly to existing concrete or to an overlay, and the decorative effects you are trying to achieve.

Hire a pro: Find concrete floor contractors near me.

Stenciling options

The most popular techniques for stenciling existing concrete floors include:

• Applying color with chemical stains or water- or solvent-based dyes, either before or after the stencil is removed
• Creating an embossed pattern by troweling or spraying a thin concrete overlay or skim coating over the stencil.
• Etching designs into the concrete by lightly sandblasting or using a gelled acid that won’t seep beneath the stencils.

With all these techniques, you’ll usually achieve better results by using a stencil with an adhesive backing that prevents movement. For more information about using adhesive-backed stencils to enhance concrete floors, see A New Way to Stencil Concrete.

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Using stencils with an overlay

Spray-down systems: Spray-down overlays work great with paper or plastic stencils, permitting the creation of intricate borders, custom designs, and logos. You can even make your own stencils by simply cutting Masonite or thin plywood with a jigsaw into a design. Whatever stencil material you use, make sure it’s thick enough that it won’t tear during removal.

Apply the stencil to a base layer of the overlay material, then spray apply the texture coat in a contrasting color. If you plan to apply stain accents to the overlay, it’s often easier to do the staining before removing the stencil so the color underneath is not affected. When spraying the topping over the stencil, it’s important to spray straight down to help prevent stencil movement and to keep any overspray from bleeding underneath the stencil and blurring the pattern lines.

Trowel-down microtopping systems: Because microtoppings are applied so thinly, they are ideal for use with adhesive-backed stencils to create decorative floor borders and other designs. After surface preparation has been completed, the base coat is troweled or squeegeed down to the width of the stencil. The stencil is then adhered to the tacky base coat. Repeat this process until the entire stencil is laid. You can then trowel a thin topcoat over the stencil (approximately 1/8 inch). When creating stenciled borders, a small paint roller is a great way to apply a microtopping because it provides complete coverage without dislodging the stencil.

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When to remove the stencil: When using stencils with thin overlays, it’s usually safe to remove the stencil after several hours. A simple check for determining if the stencil is ready for removal is to gently lift a corner from the surface. If the material that has accumulated on top of the stencil flakes off, then the stencil is ready to come up. If the material adheres to the stencil, leave it in place a bit longer. Do not leave the stencil in place overnight. As the overlay hardens, it will lock down the stencil and make it difficult to remove and cause the edges of the pattern to ravel.

Personalizing Concrete Stencils
Time: 02:08
See how stencils can be used to add a custom design element to concrete flooring.

Stencils for Concrete Floor Overlays
Time: 01:25
Video to get ideas for stenciling and adding patterns to your concrete floor overlay

Using Stencils with a Skimcoat
Time: 08:44
Learn the process for applying a stencil to concrete floors and get tips on properly using stencils.

Stenciling Using Acid-Etching Gel
Time: 05:46
Watch how an adhesive-backed stencil is applied and how acid-etching gel is used to reveal the pattern.

Stenciling Concrete Design Ideas

Concrete flooring contractors around the country have sent us awesome pictures and stories about unique stenciling jobs they've been doing. Read about them here to get ideas for your project. Find out how the projects were designed and created, what techniques and stencils were used, and any special challenges that were overcome during the process.

• Residential
• Commercial

Dressed to Impress Dana and Brooks Tucker, Bella Tucker Decorative Finishes, Franklin, Tenn.

Stenciled Concrete Overlay Adds a Touch of Class from Custom Concrete Solutions in West Hartford, CT

Stenciled Concrete Adds Irish Charm to Cottage-Style Home from Artistic Walls in Ventura, IA

Stenciled Concrete Gives Impression of Concrete Carpet in Outdoor Patio from Faux Villa Decorative Finishes Studio in Chula Vista, CA

Concrete Rug Submitted by Art Over Concrete, Murfreesboro, TN.

Complementary Floor Designs Create Harmony Image-N-Concrete in Castle Rock, CO.

Nickel-Sized Image on Tequila Bottle Becomes the Focal Point in Homes Concrete Entryway. Project profile submitted by Solid Solutions in Fresno, CA.

Stenciled Sea Creatures Turn a Daycare Center into an Aquatic Wonderland

Stenciled Concrete Floor Adds Grecian Flair to Upscale Restaurant in Annapolis, Md.

Stenciled Concrete Replaces Pavers and Eliminates Maintenance in Sioux City, Iowa

Children's Park Blooms with Decorative Concrete from McCarthy Concrete

Logos in Concrete: Logos printed on self-adhering vinyl can be applied to concrete from Staintec.

Flattoo Stencil Logo Design from Stone Roots, Inc. in New Cumberland, PA

Durham Bulls Concrete Logo Comes Alive from Classic Concrete Design in Durham, NC

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