Using Color in Concrete: How It All Works?
The common perception of concrete is that it is cold, sterile and dull. It's easy to figure out why. Most concrete is used for structural purposes, like sidewalks and bridges, where aesthetics take a back seat to practicality and affordability.
But the rising popularity of decorative concrete is beginning to challenge this idea, transforming concrete from a chilly mass buried underground into warm decorative surfaces to show off to visitors. As the market for colored concrete expands to meet demand, more hues are needed to meet consumer preferences. Also, you may get decorative concrete staining which you should fix with the help of professionals.
Facts to Know about Coloring Concrete
The final look of a decorative concrete surface is affected by many factors, including the pigment chosen, the cement used, the aggregate size and color, the amount of water added, the mixing method and the finishing procedures used.
The color of the cement serves as both a baseline and a limiting factor for the spectrum of colors that can be produced. This can lead to decorative concrete staining without you noticing.
A Close Look at Aggregates for Decorative Concrete Staining
A concrete mix will typically include aggregates in two different sizes. Coarse aggregate is typically made of crushed stone, gravel, expanded shale, pumice, slag or limestone. It consists of silica sand, rock dust or manufactured stone sand and has a fine texture.
The visual appeal of decorative concrete will be affected by the color and size of the aggregate used. The degree to which the finished concrete surface is exposed determines the magnitude of this effect. If the coarse aggregate is too visible, it will detract from the concrete's intended color.
Cement
Bright and vivid colors best suit the broader color palette white cement offers. Additionally, the reproducibility and uniformity of color are improved when using white cement. White cement and the whitest aggregates will maximize brightness, especially in lighter pastel tones.
The final appearance of the desired color of grey cement may be affected by green undertones, which can vary significantly between suppliers and between batches. Because of the higher iron and other impurity levels in grey cement, only muted earth tones are available.
Water
The addition of water to cement not only makes the mixture more workable but also causes a chemical reaction. The strength, durability and water tightness of a concrete product are determined by the amount of water used in the mix.
If more water is added to the mixture, a lighter shade will appear. Maintaining a constant shade from batch to batch requires careful management of the water-to-cement ratio. These are not pigment-specific factors but can affect the result's appearance.
Concrete pigments can be used singly or in combination to create a wide range of colors, but it helps to know how they'll react in different mixes if you want to get a good match. These factors are essential to contemplate before contacting a decorative concrete staining company.
Keep Your Concrete All Colorful
If you have already chosen your concrete color, go for it. Call us if you want a decorative concrete staining service and our experts will be at your door right away! Zone Garage in OKC will help you keep your concrete floor undamaged for years!