Hi Nicole, the design of the concrete patios is what makes it permeable, where there are relief joints that allow the water to run off into the garden in between the slabs. So the concrete itself isn't permeable. As far as staining, all concrete can stain. An integrally colored concrete with a slight buff hue to it may show stains less than a regular grey concrete. We love concrete in general and use it all of the time. And just in case I'm misunderstanding your question, there is an application where you can apply chemical stains to concrete to give them a colored finish, we would not recommend this in general for outdoors.