Concrete Coloring Contractor in Milford, New Hampshire

Overview

Most people think of concrete as an expanse of gray finish with either a brushed or smooth surface. However, with advances in tinting and dyes there are no limits on what can be done with concrete when it comes to color. Combining colored concrete with a natural landscape or a predetermined interior design broadens the appeal of concrete as a surface option. But beyond the design opportunities, we often use different hues of concrete to hide future stains such as tire scuffs and oil stains on a garage floor. We usually see the best results by pairing colored concrete with other finishing techniques such as polishing or stamping.

How it works

There are four common methods of adding color to concrete:

1. Integral Coloring
   This method can only be applied to newly poured concrete as the colors are mixed with the concrete before it sets. Integral coloring is fade resistant and is an great option for mimicking natural stone.

2. Staining
   Much like stained wood, stained concrete gives a translucent layered look to the surface. Staining can be applied to new or old concrete, as long as the old concrete has not been subjected to spills or anything that will keep the stain from reacting equally to the underlying concrete.  

3. Dyes
   Mostly used for interior projects, concrete dyes provide a much brighter color palette than stains and can be applied on the job-site unlike integral coloring.

4. Color Hardeners
   Similar to staining, concrete hardeners are applied after pouring. Color hardeners come in a powder form and are applied by hand, and can provide a brighter palette than integral coloring, all while increasing the hardness of the concrete itself.