4 Concrete Coloring Methods

Concrete doesn’t have to be dull grey. Using today’s latest concrete finishing tools, you can apply color to your concrete projects. There are several compelling reasons to use colored concrete. While some people color their concrete to mimic natural materials, others find concrete coloring useful in hiding workspace stains. With colored concrete, you can create colorful, attractive surfaces to give your space an appearance uplift.

Bayshore Materials is Vallejo’s leading concrete finishing tools provider. Let us take your project to the next level, from tools trowels to stains. Here are some coloring methods often used when adding color to concrete projects.

Integral Coloring

Integral coloring admixtures are widely used to infuse concrete with rich, uniform colors. They are available in liquid, granular and powdered forms. Integral concrete colors combine synthetic or natural iron-oxide pigments designed to disperse evenly throughout concrete when mixed.

Integral colors are added to concrete just before installation. They are low-maintenance and can extend throughout concrete slabs, so even if abrasion occurs, they do not fade.

Mixed into concrete, these colors allow you to simply place and finish the concrete without dusting over the wet surface.

Concrete Dyes

Concrete dyes are very easy to apply. Dyes can be used to produce bright, bold, and earth tones. They are available in water- and solvent-based formulations. The most significant advantage of concrete dyes is the speed of application.

An experienced contractor can apply an acetone-based dye to a 2,000-sq.ft concrete floor in about 30 minutes. Environmentally friendly dyes have a shallow VOC content. Using one of them is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Metallic Coatings

Metallic coatings have gained popularity over the past few years. They replicate the look of aged bronze, copper, nickel, and silver.

Some metallic coatings contain metallic powders, whereas others use reflective pigments. They are installed in the same way as regular epoxy floor coatings. To create a dramatic effect, apply one or more metallic pigments over the base color.

Concrete Stains

Staining is the most popular method used to color concrete. Stains spread through concrete to produce fade-resistant, permanent colors. When deciding whether to use acid or water-based stains, consider the effects you want to achieve. Acid-based stains have natural color variations that mimic the appearance of stained wood.

A drawback of acid-based stains is that you can choose only earth tones such as terracottas, soft blue greens, browns, and tans. Water-based stains can match an existing color scheme or make a bold design statement. You can mix different colors for a unique look.

Tips to Maintain Colored Concrete

Here are some ways to care for colored concrete:
➢ Clean concrete surfaces regularly with a broom.
➢ Loosen stains with a power washer.
➢ For tough stains, use a specialized concrete cleaner.

Bayshore Materials is a trusted landscaping and masonry supply center in Vallejo. We have the necessary supplies, whether you have a simple small-scale residential project or a complex, large-scale commercial project. To order concrete finishing tools in Vallejo, call (707) 644-0859.