The right concrete colour can make a world of difference in how your outdoor entertainment area comes together. With so many concrete colours to choose from, you need to be certain that you are making the right selection.
But how do you choose the right colour? Well, it turns out there are a few helpful tips that can help you to determine which is the best option for your backyard space.
Choosing the Right Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete is a simple and effective choice as a paving alternative. It is far more cost-effective to implement than new paving and it can be quite pleasing to the eye. You just need to make sure that you are making the right colour choice.
There are two basic tones to choose from: light and dark. Though dark colour combinations are more popular, there are a plethora of choices available in each. Let’s take a deeper look at each kind.
Dark Colours
Going with a darker colour for the base will require a little bit of professional help. That is largely because darker hues can easily become overpowering if they are not chosen with care. If you combine something like a walnut release agent with a Pecos sand base, it might work, or the base colour could become overpowering.
Light Colours
On the other side of the coin, there are different light colour options available. They include Pecos sand, beige, light grey, antique white, camel, buff, gold sandstone, sandstone hue, silver-grey, and sun grey. Without a doubt, white and black are the most popular among the darker hues.
Though all colours can be used in stamped concrete applications, the lighter colours will stand out in a much more subtle way than some of the starker, darker colours.
Know Your Colour Classifications
Though it can seem easy to just pick a colour and go with it, things get a little more complicated the further you go. For instance, there is custom blending available that allows you to get the precise colour you have been looking for.
While most homeowners prefer something flat with little depth, that isn’t a given. If you want something that has a little more depth and some tonal variances, then you would need to choose different classifications.
Integral Colours
These are the colours that are used with others to create a more permanent colour that won’t fade any time soon. The integral pigment will give the surface a look of longer-lasting colour. Even better, the advantage here is that there will not be a noticeable difference when it comes to the colour at the bottom of the concrete. When mixing the concrete, the colour gets added and then the concrete is placed.
Releases Colour
The final colour applied to the surface is the release colour. The goal here is to add a little brightness to the base colour. On top of that, it can help keep the stamp mats from getting stuck to the concrete during the pressing process. You generally want to go with a darker release colour that will complement the base for the most appealing result.
Shake-On Colour Hardener
During the first of the finishing steps, the shake-on colour hardener gets spread over the concrete surface. It has to be mixed using fine aggregates and cement before it is applied with a dry shake over the entire surface. The goal here is to darken the colour and provide a durable, firm layer that exists on the surface of the concrete.
Surface-Applied Colour
When working with a decorative concrete contractor, they will use a dry-shake or integrated colour using a surface-applied colour during the stamping process. That layering can give it a much more realistic look, particularly the kind that you would find in more natural stones.
Pattern Type
When you have a colour in mind, it comes time to choose the right pattern. There are a few worth noting, such as slate, stone, tile, brick, and wood.
Stone. Stone patterns are meant to mimic authentic stone pavers. There are flagstone and rustic stone textures, stone ashlar, and even cobblestone patterns. These are the most ideal for patios or spaces that have a theme.
Tile. Tiles can be quite symmetrical and nice, but the risk is unevenness in the tiles. With tile pattern stamps, you gain greater consistency and a better look without sacrificing the colour combination you choose.
Brick. Brick is one of the most traditional styles there is. There is nothing quite like brick to combine both new and vintage looks, with basketweave, running bond, herringbone, and more all being commonplace. Brick is also best with hues of brown, combining the neutrality of brown with hues that can make them stand out in the best ways.
Slate. Slate is still quite common despite being one of the earliest paving materials used. Slate is minimalistic and understated but works great with traditional colours like grey.
Wood. A great alternative is going with a stamped concrete wood pattern, mimicking the look of interior flooring. Even better, there are several stains that can mimic the look, creating cohesion between your indoor and outdoor spaces.
A Plethora of Colours
One of the best reasons to go with concrete is the sheer number of shades available. There are generally two types of shading: grey-based and cream-based shades. They share a similar colour palette though there are some key differences.
In the grey-based shades, you will find brown, sandstone, marigold, charcoal, light brown, deep red, light terracotta, and supreme black. On the other side, the cream shades will feature a lot of the same with slight shading differences: sandstone, deep red, dark brown, marigold, light brown, light terracotta, and light yellow.
By working with an expert concrete professional like Seamless Concrete, you can find the right colour fit for your needs which can provide the most beautiful, unique look around.