San Leandro Colored Concrete

Many homeowners who want to use colored concrete often find that the results aren’t as good as they had expected. This is often as a result of two key reasons. One is that the color chart provided by the manufacturer doesn’t indicate the true final result. The majority of them come with a disclaimer in small prints stating that the final color of concrete will be affected by different conditions. The majority of concrete contractors don’t take time to explain this to their clients.  

Another reason is the difference in the raw materials. In most cases, the materials that make concrete (sand, stone, cement powder, and water) are usually quarried from a different location. The ingredients in one location may be different from that of another location. This means that even if you added the same amount of a certain pigment in two different concrete batches from a different location, they would not match. 

SL Concrete and Masonry can help you with your needs regarding colored concrete in San Leandro. Contact us on (510) 851-8260 for free estimates.

Depending on the difference between the two color loads, they could even produce a huge variance. On top of this, some other factors affect the variance in the concrete color. These include:

• Concrete slump: Slump usually indicates the viscosity. When more water is added to concrete, this makes concrete lighter. When concrete is placed and finished at a lower slump, it will often take a darker color that closely resembles the color chart.
• Site and weather conditions during concrete placement. The relative humidity and the substrate dampness, shade, sun, or windy conditions can affect the finishing process and the final color.
• Finishing practices of a concrete contractor. When a finish broom is dampened to create an even surface, it will cause striping or uneven color. When a slab is trowelled by hand, it will get dark burnish marks.
• Time of finishing: When the concrete is finished late during the setting stage, it will get a darker color as compared to concrete finished while still quite plastic.
• Surface moisture: Before and after finishing, any extra moisture that begins to evaporate will cause a lighter shade of color.
• Choice of sealer: The sealer used will hugely affect the final color. When you use a solvent-based acrylic sealer, it will have a higher gloss and can result in darker colors. However, the water-based acrylic sealers can have a less glossy and natural look and will not darken concrete much.

You can see why it is hard to know the final color of the concrete. But if you would like to get the best results, contact SL Concrete and Masonry on (510) 851-8260 and get free estimates.