FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
World of Concrete 2026 Registration Is Open ↗

Masonry Staining FAQ

Words: Jennifer GillQ: What is masonry staining?
A: It is the art and science of transforming the color of masonry with a sheer, maintenance-free professional-grade, custom stain.

Q: What masonry can be stained?
A: Brick, block, mortar, natural and manufactured stone, concrete, cast stone, precast, tilt-up precast, and more can be stained to look very natural. Porous masonry that will accept water should work with typical water-based, professional-grade stains.

Q: What is the difference between masonry stain from a store and professional-grade custom stain?
A: Professional companies manufacture their own, often proprietary systems, which should be specifically designed to achieve exact match results and not fade or change. The texture will remain unchanged while the color will be transformed to an exact match or the correct custom shade. Store-bought products are generally thick like paint, need maintenance, and have no guarantee of performance or warranty against fading or changing.

Q: How do masonry staining companies get an exact match for color?
A: Colors are hand mixed on site, tested and adjusted for an exact match.

Q: How is masonry stain applied?
A: The most flexible, high-quality product lines are applied by any typical means to achieve the exact match result. There should be no limitation on method unless the company's product line won't work with anything else but a brush, but this is not typical of the industry.

Q: Does masonry stain look like paint?
A: No. Professional masonry stain should be very sheer and natural-looking, and should not cause any future maintenance issues.

Q: Can I have just mortar stained?
A: Yes. Companies can stain just mortar, just brick, or both, for instance.

Q: Can masonry be stained lighter, or just darker?
A: Masonry can be stained lighter, darker, or any desired color.

Q: How do I locate a masonry staining company?
A: Check with MCAA or their online directory to find reputable member companies, and don't be afraid to ask for referrals within the industry. When needing color help with cast stone, for instance, ask the Cast Stone Institute for a staining company with expertise working on cast stone.
 0
What’s in your Dumpster?
December 2025

If you want a true read on how a job is running, take a walk to the dumpsters. Most sites have two. One for cement and steel. One for everything that did not make the cut. Those bins are open ledgers. They record the habits, shortcuts, and fixes that shap

Shayne Sanders
MAP Partner
Read More
The Florida Department of Corrections Masonry Competition
December 2025

The intersection of Career & Technical Education (CTE) training and rehabilitation was on full display recently as the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) hosted a statewide masonry competition. Held at the Cross City Correctional Institution, the eve

Justin Stengel
News and Events
Read More
Southwest Scaffolding Renews Silver Partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program
December 2025

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is pleased to announce that Southwest Scaffolding will renew its Silver partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program.

Industry News
Read More
From Raw Material To Art: Bringing Toothless To Life
December 2025

“The next project is already waiting in the wings, but that’s another story.” That was how I ended my article on the T-60 helmet from the world of Fallout in the July 2024 issue of Masonry Magazine. And that is exactly where this new chapter begins.

News and Events
Read More