Tinted Concrete

[buildone]

Hi guys,

I tried the search function on "tinted concrete", but didn't come up with anything. Maybe I've used the wrong search terms?

I'm trying to find information and experience around actually adding color or tint to the entire mix before pouring a concrete floor so that it is integral to the concrete throughout.

Anything in particular I should know or do? What recommendations would you have for the sealer once its poured and cured?

Thanks!

 

[ASHMAN_AZ]

Different colors will require more or less pigment and the costs can vary greatly

This doesnt give you exact prices but you can see how they rate some colors as higher cost. http://www.daviscolors.com/#concrete

I like it for our drive way but will just do a burt trowel finish on the shop slab.

 

[Manganos]

I'm building a new house with a 3.5 car garage and looking to possibly do the same thing or add a tint after pouring then putting a sealant on. I'm also in VA. Keep us updated please!

 

[glentre]

We had our local concrete company located in Gloucester, Va. tint our large pool patio concrete a brick red color before it was poured. It looked great the first year or so but eventually the color bleached out and it turned uneven in color. Perhaps our mistake was not sealing it properly but I suspect it would have faded anyway. After about 10 years, we covered it with pavers and it looks fabulous. We had to tear some of it up when we installed a larger pool and the color had faded throughout the slab, not just on the surface.

You might want to look into concrete dyes as an alternative. I would not use a tinted concrete pour again.

Glen

 

[Astro-t]

I tinted My floor. I could show the results with pics? It cost 600 bucks extra. 200 bucks for the die and 400 to clean two trucks. The results didnt look so good on a steel trowel floor.

 

[Nor'Easter]

Just stain and seal it.

 

[Randy in Maine]

A few bags of "black beauty" sand blast grit in the mix makes it sort of look like granite.

 

[kwschumm]

I've thought of coloring our concrete driveway black-ish when it is placed to help with winter snow melt but a quick conversation with the contractor indicated the price will be too high, at least doubling the cost of the job. Asphalt would be a better choice but it is not allowed by CC&Rs.

 

[buildone]

Thanks a lot, guys. The comment about sandblast abrasive is interesting. Wonder where I could find a picture of that?

Appreciate all the feedback!

 

[buildone]

We had our local concrete company located in Gloucester, Va. tint our large pool patio concrete a brick red color before it was poured. It looked great the first year or so but eventually the color bleached out and it turned uneven in color. Perhaps our mistake was not sealing it properly but I suspect it would have faded anyway. After about 10 years, we covered it with pavers and it looks fabulous. We had to tear some of it up when we installed a larger pool and the color had faded throughout the slab, not just on the surface.

You might want to look into concrete dyes as an alternative. I would not use a tinted concrete pour again.

Glen

When you say concrete dye, are you referring to the acid staining process or something else? Thanks!