Decorative concrete is an attractive, versatile, and cost-effective option for floors, countertops, hard surfaces, and more. The style and design possibilities are endless and only limited by the imagination of you and your concrete contractor! There are endless selections of patterns, textures, shapes, coatings, and colors to choose from, making it easy to customize a look that perfectly suits your environment. And since concrete requires little maintenance, it doesn’t take much effort to maintain its shine and charm for years to come!
Concrete can be selectively designed and engineered, but not Really comes to life until you have it colored. There are several ways to accomplish this, but the four most common decorative concrete coloring methods include integral colors, weathering, tinted sealers, and color hardeners. Read on to learn more about each method and who to call for a trusted decorative concrete job in your city.
Decorative concrete color methods include:
Integral Colors – Integral colors, also called integrated colorsThey usually come in liquid or powder form. Unlike other staining methods, they are blended and mixed with the concrete before it is poured. This means that the color matures within the concrete as the concrete cures. One of the most appreciated qualities of integrated colors is that the concrete is completely colored. So if you have nicks or chips, the color will stay consistent at all times.
antiques – Aged release colors are another effective method of coloring concrete because they serve more than one function. It is applied to the surface of the concrete after it is poured, but before it is stamped or styled. Not only does this provide beautiful color accents in the grooves and crevices of the concrete, it helps prevent the sealers from sticking to the concrete. Antique release colors usually come in powder form, but can also come in liquid form and are commonly combined with other forms of coloration.
tinted sealers – All decorative concrete requires a quality sealing coat for protection purposes. But some come in a tinted version, offering a wide range of sheer shades, tints, and even imitated textures. Colored sealers are often combined with other methods of decorative coloring of concrete.
color hardeners – Color hardeners come in a wide selection of colors and come in powder form. They are applied directly to the surface of freshly poured concrete. But since they are high in PSI and cement, they are not recommended for rapidly changing climates. Under these conditions, they often take on a popcorn-like effect, which is unattractive and different than it should be.
