Learning About Concrete Color Pigment

By Sally Delacruz


Concreted surfaces can be more than just floors these days. Versatility with coloring, texturing, and installation provides more options. People can choose this material for counter tops, table tops, bar tops, and even as a non-traditional flooring. Concrete color pigment helps with choices, but it is important to understand the proper use and types.

Also known as integral and surface pigments, these types of coloring are available in a powder or liquid and each have specific mixing requirements. Liquid pigments, for example, are often in a concentrated form and need to be diluted with water before adding to the cement mix. There may also be specific requirements for how different pigments are used. Some liquid versions may have to be applied to the top of the concreted surface after it has cured instead of adding it to the mix before spreading.

As one of the three groups of pigments, the ones that are made from iron oxide are the most common. They are not as expensive as the other groups, but the selection of colors is somewhat limited. Available choices are typically earthy colors. Hues of browns, deep reds, and darker yellows make up the choices for this group. These pigments are popular, not only because of their lower price but also because of the somewhat neutral colors that can be used for indoor or outdoor applications.

The second group is pigments that are made of special metal oxides. There are a few more choices for coloring in this group. Blues, purples, and reds are available. For greens, chromium oxide can be used. If you want a bright white, you can choose titanium oxide. Application is a little more simpler than the first group of pigments, but often not by much.

Synthetic pigments, the third main group, are the most expensive. They do provide you with the largest selection of colors, which contributes to their higher cost. These pigments are typically stronger so they do not require as much to achieve desired results in an application. The color palette is large and includes vibrant colors such as bright purple and yellow along with nearly any other color you could think of.

Powdered versions are typically found in cans or dissolving bags. They will be loose and find or granulated. The granulated powders are better suited for use in commercial mixers or trucks because the constant, rough mixing breaks up the granules. Loose and fine versions are designed for smaller mixers, such as the ones that can be rented by individuals who are doing their own projects at home.

Versions in liquid form are actually solid pigments suspended in liquid to allow time to measure and mix. They must be mixed well frequently while you are measuring to keep the pigments from settling. Some are concentrated, while others are already diluted. Read the package instructions before you begin to determine what may need to be done in advance and during mixing.

There are some pigments that provide extra protection for concentrated surfaces. Particularly with synthetic and liquid versions, it is possible to have pigments that provide some water resilience or other type of extra protective measures. Surfaces that can be polished are often great application instances for these types. They can also be ideal choices for concreted surfaces that are stamped.




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