Colored Concrete

An overview of options to color concrete, and some tips for achieving stunning results

Find a Contractor for Colored Concrete

Why Use Colored Concrete?

Ways to Color Concrete

Tips for Getting Great Results

Design Ideas for Colored Concrete

Maintaining and Troubleshooting Colored Concrete

Maintaining colored concrete

Understanding colored concrete: Common problems, why they occur, and how to avoid or fix them

Related Information:

Colored Concrete Specs from Davis Colors: MSDS and tech safety sheets for tilt-ups, paving, cast-in-place, masonry, and precast

Guide to Buying Concrete Stains and Dyes

Guide to Buying Integral Color and Color Hardener for Concrete

Lea este artículo en español

Other Resources:
Find a Contractor for Colored Concrete

Concrete Contractors: Find concrete coloring products and supplies

ConcreteNetwork.com

Author Anne Balogh, ConcreteNetwork.com Columnist and Senior Editor of Concrete Expressions magazine

Photo Tour of Colored Concrete

  • Concrete Patios Progressive Concrete Works Inc. Phoenix, AZ
    Progressive Concrete Works Inc.
    in Phoenix, AZ
  • Concrete Walkways Musselman & Hall Kansas City, MO,
    Musselman & Hall
    in Kansas City, MO
  • Concrete Walkways Colorado Hardscapes Denver, CO
    Colorado Hardscapes
    in Denver, CO
  • Concrete Walkways DFW Coating Concepts Dallas, TX
    DFW Coating Concepts
    in Dallas, TX
  • Concrete Pool Decks Gkrete, Inc Austin, TX
    Gkrete, Inc
    in Austin, TX
  • Concrete Pool Decks D and M Decorative Concrete Pittsburgh, PA
    D and M Decorative Concrete
    in Pittsburgh, PA
  • Rhodes Landscape Design, Inc Sacramento, CA
    Rhodes Landscape Design, Inc
    in Sacramento, CA
  • Concrete Patios Clear Springs Construction San Antonio, TX
    Clear Springs Construction
    in San Antonio, TX
  • Concrete Patios Max Power Concrete Columbus, OH
    Max Power Concrete
    in Columbus, OH
  • Concrete Patios The Wall Portland, OR
    The Wall
    in Portland, OR

For many admirers of decorative concrete, the best attribute is that each installation is totally unique. Concrete can assume nearly any shape, design, pattern or texture. But the one characteristic that most distinguishes decorative concrete is color, whether used subtly to blend with nature or boldly to make a dramatic design statement.

Frankly, unless you're a purist and prefer concrete in its plain-gray state, there's no reason not to enhance it with color. The number of different products for coloring concrete has never been greater, and many manufacturers offer an extensive palette of shades to choose from for colored concrete . And although you'll pay more for colored concrete, the amazing transformation will be well worth the investment. In the hands of a creative contractor, these coloring mediums permit an endless array of decorative effects, from rustic earth-toned sidewalks and patios that harmonize with the surrounding landscape to vibrant multicolored floors that double as works of art.

VIDEO: COLORED CONCRETE METHODS

Watch this overview of the four ways to color concrete. — Length: 00:49

To help you sort through your options, here's a roundup of the most common methods for coloring concrete and the applications they are best suited for. With the exception of integral color, all of these products can be used on new or existing concrete. However, not all coloring methods are suitable for all exposure conditions or types of projects, and some have limitations in terms of color availability and intensity. But when you choose appropriately (see "Tips for Getting the Best Results with Color"), you'll end up with rich, permanent color that will take your concrete from utilitarian to spectacular.


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Colored Concrete