Options for Coloring Concrete?

[patrickphimr]

Hi All,

I'm planning on getting a patio poured in my back yard. Decent sized...14'x32', with a nice little landing coming off of the sliding doors...Kind of like the picture below.

I am thinking about getting it colored, but i DO NOT plan on getting it stamped. The contractor that I'm talking with has mentioned that the color is mixed in with the concrete before it is poured, and that it needs a special kind of sealant to protect it. I saw my neighbor's being done, but they stamped theirs. When they did theirs, they were throwing some kind of powder on it....I'm assuming, from what I've read, it is a color hardener.

In looking around, I keep seeing the color hardener referenced in conjunction with getting the concrete stamped. I am looking to get it trowel finished.

So, what are the differences between this color hardener, and getting the color mixed in with the concrete? It sounds to me like the color hardener wouldn't need as much care, is that correct? Does it still need sealed?

Thanks for any advice on the pros/cons of the 2 different methods! I've tried using my google-fu, but it seems to be failing me right now!

Attachments​

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[patrickphimr]

Hi All,

I'm planning on getting a patio poured in my back yard. Decent sized...14'x32', with a nice little landing coming off of the sliding doors...Kind of like the picture below.

I am thinking about getting it colored, but i DO NOT plan on getting it stamped. The contractor that I'm talking with has mentioned that the color is mixed in with the concrete before it is poured, and that it needs a special kind of sealant to protect it. I saw my neighbor's being done, but they stamped theirs. When they did theirs, they were throwing some kind of powder on it....I'm assuming, from what I've read, it is a color hardener.

In looking around, I keep seeing the color hardener referenced in conjunction with getting the concrete stamped. I am looking to get it trowel finished.

So, what are the differences between this color hardener, and getting the color mixed in with the concrete? It sounds to me like the color hardener wouldn't need as much care, is that correct? Does it still need sealed?

Thanks for any advice on the pros/cons of the 2 different methods! I've tried using my google-fu, but it seems to be failing me right now!
decorative concrete Salt Lake City

Attachments​

• 
  16c853e0323e9bc5e3d13

thanks for any help

 

[Toxophilite]

The hardener is for top coat coloring, texturing - dry powder stamped into damp cement. It's how they can create different blended looks of color, shading, and hues with a dry mix of dyes and whatever textures, and, it does impart some surface hardening to the surface due to the mix. Color mixed in is a dyed cement mix, and it will be a uniform color unless they stain onto the top.