More Than Fifty Shades of Grey
Hey folks - Brad here. Wanted to talk about something that comes up on almost every decorative job we do: color. Specifically, how do you pick a concrete color that actually looks good with your house?
It's trickier than you'd think. That color chart at the supply house looks great in fluorescent lighting but it's gonna look COMPLETELY different in the Sarasota sun. Trust me, I learned this the hard way early in my career. Poured a patio that looked great on the sample chip and absolutely terrible once it was down. Never again.
Three Ways to Color Concrete
Integral Color
This is where we mix the color right into the concrete before we pour. It goes all the way through - if it chips or wears, the color is still there underneath. Most consistent result. This is what we recommend for driveways and anything that's gonna see heavy use.
Color Hardener
We broadcast this powder onto the surface during the finishing process. It actually makes the surface harder AND adds color. Great for stamped work. Gives you a richer, more vibrant color than integral. We use this a lot on patios and pool decks.
Staining After the Fact
Acid stain or water-based stain applied to cured concrete. This is great if you want to change the color of existing concrete without ripping it out. The results can be gorgeous - real organic, mottled look. But it's a surface treatment so it will wear over time and need to be resealed.
What's Popular in Sarasota
Warm tones. Every time. Terra cotta, sandstone, tan, desert brown. Makes sense right? We've got Mediterranean and Spanish style homes all over the place. A warm-toned concrete ties in beautifully with those tile roofs and stucco walls.
What I always do is bring actual samples out to the house. Not color charts - actual concrete samples. We look at them in the sunlight, in the shade, next to the house paint, next to the pavers or landscaping. I've shown up at people's houses with like 15 samples in the back of my truck. The guys make fun of me but I'd rather spend 20 minutes on color selection than have a customer unhappy for 20 years.
Want to talk color options for your project? Give us a call and I'll bring the samples to you. No charge, no pressure.