Concrete Color Options
Choosing the color - The best way to pick the color is to look at the colors of the building your concrete will be enhancing. Keep it simple. Instead of picking contrasting colors, choose colors that harmonize well with the existing building's roof, siding and trim. Incorporate these hues or complementary colors into your concrete work. Integral - This color is mixed into the concrete at the batch plant. It will produce one, uniform color throughout the entire width of your concrete. This is beneficial if the concrete ever gets chipped. Chipping will not remove the color. This is also not labor intensive as the color is already in the concrete. To pick a base (integral) color for your concrete project click Colored Concrete Options Dry-shake color hardeners - This is a great option for brighter colors and unlimited range of color options, but it only colors the top 1/8 to 3/16 inch of the slab. The powdered, dry-shake color hardener is spread out on the fresh concrete and then floated into the surface before imprinting.
Powdered or liquid release agents - These not only impart subtle color to the concrete, resulting in an antiquing effect, but they also prevent the concrete stamps from sticking to the concrete. (1 cup of powdered release is needed to tint 5 gallons of liquid release). Click here to select a Powdered Release Agent. Because the powder is difficult to control outdoors (wind can cause it to spread to the siding of the building or other surfaces and color them), and it is a health hazard for the contractor to apply (it is essential to wear a mask during application), many contractors are using clear liquid releases and tinting them with powdered release. Some contractors believe that the color is not as impressive using this method, though. Stains - These are applied after the concrete has cured. This creates a very natural look with lots of color variations. Since stain is only applied to the surface of the concrete, chips or damages to the concrete will expose the grey/white concrete beneath the stain. Click stained concrete for more information on stains. Dyes and Tints Dyes are often used in conjunction with stains for even greater color intensity. Dyes can produce very bright, vibrant colors. Dyes can often fade when exposed to ultraviolet light, though (generally a 5-10% color loss.) Tints add hints of color and can produce some faux finishing effects. Simply mix a pigmented powdered release with a solvent acrylic sealer (do not use water-based acrylic). This way the sealer itself acts as the color wash. Also, a more subtle effect is to combine several handfuls of color hardener with water in a pail. The tinted water can then be applied to the concrete by spray or sponge. But if you use this method, you must lock in the color by applying several coats of sealer. To create color variations in the concrete:
Would you like a bid on your colored concrete project? If you live in the Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs area, fill out a bid request form. Return from Concrete Color to Stamped Concrete Designs |
