Concrete paint. While paint will cover up minor surface imperfections such as fading or discoloration, it can’t cover up cracking or chipping. Those more serious issues need to be resolved before any paint is applied.

Concrete stain. As with concrete paint, you’ll also need to address issues such as cracks, stains, or chips before applying stain. Since concrete stain is transparent, it won’t cover fading or discoloration. You’ll need to discuss with a contractor to find out whether surface imperfections will be obvious if you do decide to make repairs and then stain the surface.

Decorative coating. A decorative coating is probably the most straightforward and reliable option for a concrete slab that has any type of damage such a chipping, cracking, or spalling. A reputable contractor will never suggest applying a decorative coating to a surface that’s severely damaged and won’t hold up with a new coat.

Concrete paint. Even when you paint a concrete surface with paint that’s formulated to bond to a concrete surface, it will need to be retouched fairly often: ranging anywhere from 3 to 5 years. If it’s a surface that experiences a significant amount of foot traffic, the longevity decreases. When the paint eventually peels or chips, the raw concrete beneath will be exposed.

Concrete stain. Unlike paint which creates a layer on top of a concrete surface, concrete stain penetrates the pores of the concrete. Since the color permeates the surface, stained concrete does not peel or flake off. If it’s sealed and cared for properly, stained concrete will maintain its color for two decades or more.

Decorative coating. Like stained concrete, a colorful decorative concrete coating will last for at least two decades when sealed and cared for properly. Some coatings are specially formulated for locations that experience a lot of wear and tear. For example, an epoxy floor coating can withstand the weight of machinery, heavy tools, cars, motorcycles, and more.

Concrete paint. Painting concrete creates an opaque layer of color which means that the concrete beneath won’t show through. This helps cover up spots that are discolored or fading. Painting concrete is also more predictable because the paint creates a layer of color that isn’t affected by the way the concrete beneath looks.

Concrete stain. With staining, you get a more translucent color, so you will see the surface profile of the concrete slab that’s stained. The stain also interacts with the concrete, giving each stained concrete surface a unique look.

Decorative coating. Decorative coatings can be customized with a wide variety of colors. This is a good option for someone who is also looking to change the texture of their surface or incorporate a pattern using concrete stamping.

Concrete paint. This is the least expensive option, ranging anywhere from $2 to $5 per square foot depending on the quality of paint you purchase. Concrete paint is more realistic for someone who isn’t a contractor to do as a DIY project, so you can also save on labor costs. (But remember that you also need to properly prepare the surface for concrete paint which may require tools you don’t already own.)

Concrete stain. The cost for staining concrete can range anywhere from $2 to $25 per square foot. The cost varies because it depends on the type of design and how many colors you choose. Staining a slab of concrete one color will cost much less than using multiple colors and incorporating stencil work.

Decorative coating. Costs typically range anywhere from $3 to $25 per square foot, but contractors generally have a minimum cost for decorative coating projects. Coatings applied using high-quality products will cost more than less reputable products, and you get what you pay for when it comes to coatings. For decorative coatings, the cost varies depending on the type of design you choose and how many colors you decide to incorporate.