What is coloured concrete?

Moreover, coloured concrete is just as adaptable and simple as standard concrete, but it has the additional benefit of being coloured to complement existing work. It is a material that may help your project or home blend in with the surroundings or truly stand apart from other properties based on the colours and patterns you choose.

This type of project isn’t one to DIY if you want the best possible result — instead, we recommend hiring a professional concreter and getting concreter quotes near you.  

This comprehensive guide will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the benefits, uses, and costs of coloured concrete, as well as choosing concrete colours.

Article Summary

• Why should you use coloured concrete?
• 4 benefits of coloured concrete
• How much does coloured concrete cost?
• How to choose concrete colours
• How does concrete get its colour?
• Getting quotes for coloured concrete

Why should you use coloured concrete?

These days, there are various advantages to using coloured concrete. Coloured concrete is used primarily for aesthetic reasons, being a fantastic alternative for producing attractive designs and creative concrete presentations.

Additionally, coloured concrete may break up large concrete areas that would otherwise be solid. For long driveway ideas or sizable concrete patios, colouring all sections might make it more visually appealing than leaving it wholly grey and monotonous.

Furthermore, some people use coloured concrete to seamlessly tie in with natural materials such as green lawns or textured gravel walks. Matching concrete to the surrounding environment reduces the visibility of the concrete and may assist in lessening the industrial appearance of a grey finish.

4 Benefits of Coloured Concrete

Coloured concrete offers many benefits as a building and decorative medium. The following are some advantages of coloured concrete:

1. Colour Consistency

Decorative concrete is available in various colours with additional bespoke options. Additionally, every batch produced is the same colour, giving you confidence that whatever your design and concrete use, it will be consistent and look effective.

2. Flexibility

Concreting allows for significantly more design versatility than many other architectural materials because it is moldable. Furthermore, various textured finishes are available, allowing you to generate almost any effect you can imagine.

3. Durability

A concrete foundation is a durable material that requires very little to no maintenance for many years. To get a stable and cost-effective solution for your floors, surfaces, and other things, you should consider coloured concrete by hiring a licensed concreter.

Moreover, it will also add a touch of colour to any room in which it is applied. You may also paint concrete driveways in various colours due to the durable nature of this material.

Different types of concrete driveway materials may include:

• Stone
• Sandstone
• Gravel
• Slate

However, consult with a concreter if you are unsure what concrete driveway materials to use.

4. Fade-Resistant

Whether you choose to use coloured concrete outdoors or indoors, one advantage of the material is that it is fade-resistant and weatherproof, which means that the colour won’t fade no matter how much sunlight or rain it is exposed to.

The fact that coloured concrete is permanent means that you won’t have to worry about repainting your surfaces, which will save you both money and time in the process.

How much does coloured concrete cost?

The cost of coloured concrete varies depending on the size of the project and the condition of the surface being worked on. Standard coloured concrete can cost around $75 to $100 per square metre, but if you choose a decorative option like stencils, you should expect to spend up to $150 per square metre.

If you are covering existing concrete, it will reduce the cost; but, if the area to be covered requires levelling or treatment, be sure to include this into your budgetary considerations as well. Large areas, such as a coloured concrete driveway, might need a significant amount of time and effort.

How to Choose Concrete Colours

When it comes to selecting concrete colours, there are a variety of alternatives available. Due to the many possibilities available from the leading coloured concrete companies in Australia, it might be challenging to choose the colour of concrete that is appropriate for you. The colours already present in your house might serve as a starting point for your decorating scheme.

Moreover, a professional opinion from a concreter or a landscaper may also be beneficial, mainly if your new concrete is part of a more extensive restoration or construction project.

Keep in mind that concrete colours seem different when seen on a computer screen than when printed in a brochure. One of the few ways to be sure about the appearance of your coloured concrete is to get a sample product and examine it in your house under various lighting conditions.

How does concrete get its colour?

Pigments mined from the ground or generated in chemical factories are used to colour concrete. These pigments are available in three forms: granular, liquid, and powder. Each of these pigment types has its benefits and is utilised widely.

These colourful pigments are made up of iron oxide particles that are ten times smaller than cement particles. When pigment is mixed with wet cement, the smaller coloured particles surround and cover the larger cement particles, resulting in a colourful tint. The colour pigment ratio is determined by the amount of cement mixture applied.

Therefore, the more cement mixture used, the more pigment required for a darker, bolder colour. When dyeing grey concrete, more pigment is needed. It results in more profound, earth-tone hues. If you want lighter shades, you must use white concrete, which is more expensive.

If you already have grey concrete, you may colour it using a water-based or acid-based chemical stain.

Getting Quotes for Coloured Concrete

If you want your concrete coloured or installed by a licensed concreter, you may compare rates from local concreters or coloured concrete professionals in your area or ask how much it costs to hire a concreter. You may also make a better judgement based on multiple concreter quotes.

For many years, concrete was considered an industrial material. It’s now becoming more popular as a flooring, furniture, and surface material in the house, due to its low cost and ability to be readily moulded into various shapes and sizes.

Furthermore, concrete that has been coloured has all of the benefits of ordinary concrete. Nonetheless, since it comes in a variety of colours and tones, you can use it to create beautiful concrete works of art at your workplace, garden, or home.

Further Reading

• Decorative Concrete vs. Pavers: The Pros and Cons
• Concrete Resurfacing Options
• Helpful Tips for Hiring a Concreter

Please note that all prices mentioned are in AUD and are to be used as an approximate guide only. These prices may differ by location and at the discretion of each business, and are accurate at the time of writing.