Colored Concrete?

[PJDiesel]

Looks like it has been discussed a few times, nothing recent that I can find though.

Question is, who has done it, what color did you use. Was it added at the plant while batch mixing, and lastly, how much did it cost.

Just throwing around the idea, thinking maybe it would be "different" to have a tan(ish) or darker gray floor.


Thoughts?

 

[BooUrns!]

I've looked into using it for a basement slab that is being placed in a few weeks. I've heard it can add on around an extra $20/ cubic meter and it is added at the batch plant. I tried a few times but none fo the sale staff from Genstar returned my calls (they must have a ready-mix outlet who handles indiviual residential orders).

There are a million and one variations on brown and tan colours. If you could afford the massive expense you could get white portland cement and some white additive and have a white slab. I've seen a few examples of it being used and it looks great but the costs are prohibitive.

 

[volvo]

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I did approx 200' of 5' wide sidewalks almost two years ago. Actually bought the dry power color from a large u-rental yard that had a lot of contractor cement stamps and equipment. They had at least thirty samples on display.The Color came in #10 or #50 lb bags. I picked a light choc brown to match dirt. I gave it to the contractor who gave it to the cement plant to add to my truck load of 15 yds. I was very pleased with the out come. Good color that gave me that upscale look without going to the expense of exposed concrete. Cost was just $80 and well worth it. I would recommended this for a shop floor instead of any coatings...H

 

[dxdexter]

For a garage floor, I would recommend an application of colored floor hardener rather than colored/dyed concrete or any floor coatings especially if the garage is to be heated or in warm climates. It is much more durable in the long run. Here's a link to a GJ discussion on the subject.. The colored concrete with air entrainment may give better service in areas of freeze-thaw and deicing chemical exposure, although if you use a smooth steel trowel finish, it will negate the advantages of the air entrainment at the surface.

 

[nonhog]

.
I did approx 200' of 5' wide sidewalks almost two years ago. at .I picked a light choc brown to match dirt. I was very pleased with the out come. Good color that gave me that upscale look without going to the expense of exposed concrete.

Got pics ? Which rental yard sells that ?

 

['the epoxy floor guy']

I agree, if you use a colored dye to add to your concrete batch, you will get 'close' to the dye color. lots of factors will effect the outcome.

IF you pour the concrete CURE it, THEN add the color you will have MUCH more control over the overall color.

Also if you have 'batches' of concrete that are different color, you can 'tweek' the color to match.

Plus when you can stain for Around $.06 per SF it is often less expensive.

 

[PJDiesel]

Hmmmm.

"Stain" is sounding interesting to me.........

I am not in the market to spend $.40 a sq. ft. (I have over 1600 to do).

Tell me more about this stain and how it works!

 

['the epoxy floor guy']

Have you ever used Thompson's water seal?

The Stain that we use works basically the same way. The consistency of the stain is very fluid. It soaks into the pores of the concrete and gives the concrete a NEW color.

Our Stain will give 90% color for 8-10 years. Easily applied with a garden weed sprayer.

One gallon covers 350-400 sf

It will NOT affect the texture or slipperiness.

No harmful Chemicals, Water clean up.

 

[PJDiesel]

Does it have any sealing properties, or other advantages other than the color?

When is it okay to apply, how soon after the pour?

 

[Tman]

The darker colors of dyes can get expensive. I have used black on some concrete counter tops.

 

['the epoxy floor guy']

Does it have any sealing properties, or other advantages other than the color?

When is it okay to apply, how soon after the pour?

the product I use can used right away. the color will change as the concrete ages for the first week so I would wait just to be sure on the color.

The product does act as a stain and salt sealer. if you are in an area where you may use salt to melt snow or ice, you can use it right away.

Oils, rust etc will not stain the concrete.

 

['the epoxy floor guy']

The darker colors of dyes can get expensive. I have used black on some concrete counter tops.

because we use PIGMENT in lieu of a dye, we can do almost any color. Black is going to be a challenging color because of the light color of the concrete. a deep charcoal color is not too hard but BLACK is tough.