Colored Concrete in Colorado Springs, CO

Colored Concrete in Colorado Springs, CO

Plain gray concrete is fine - but a warm tan, charcoal, terra-cotta or sandstone slab can completely change the look of a Colorado Springs home or business. Pavco Paving offers three different ways to get color into a concrete slab: integral color, broadcast color hardener, and stains applied to cured concrete. Each has different cost, depth, and finish characteristics.

Integral color is mixed into the concrete at the truck and runs through the entire slab. It's the most permanent option and won't wear off. Broadcast color hardener is dusted onto the wet surface and troweled in - it produces deeper, richer tones than integral and is what's used under most stamped concrete. Concrete stains are applied to a cured slab and produce a translucent, variegated look like natural stone.

All colored concrete is sealed to deepen and protect the tone. We bring physical sample boards to every estimate so you can pick exactly the color you want before the truck arrives.

• Integral color - mixed into the concrete at the truck
• Broadcast color hardener - richer, surface-dense color
• Acid stains and water-based stains for variegated tones
• UV-stable inorganic pigments - won't fade
• High-solids acrylic sealer to deepen and protect color
• Sample boards delivered with every estimate

Integral vs Hardener vs Stain

Integral color is the simplest and the most permanent - pigment in the mix means the color goes all the way through. Use integral for slabs that may eventually wear or chip (like driveways) so any wear-through doesn't expose gray concrete underneath. Broadcast color hardener gives richer, more uniform surface color and creates a harder, denser wear surface - great for patios. Stains let you color cured existing concrete and give variegated natural-stone effects.

Choosing a Color

Standard pigment palettes include warm tans, sandstones, terracottas, brick reds, charcoal grays, slate blues and many earth tones. For Colorado Springs homes we most often see clients pick warm tans and slate grays - they complement the sandstone, stucco and red-brick palettes common on Front Range homes. Avoid pure white or pure black slabs in outdoor applications - they show every stain and weather mark.

Application Process

Integral color is dosed at the ready-mix plant and verified by slump test at delivery - we'll show you a wet sample on-site before any concrete is placed. Color hardener is broadcast at 60-90 lbs per 100 sq ft, hand-troweled in two passes. Stains are applied to cured concrete with sprayer or brush after surface prep (etching for acid stains, light sanding for water-based).

Sealing & UV Stability

We use only inorganic UV-stable pigments rated for outdoor use - they don't fade in sunlight. The sealer that goes over the color does dull over 2-3 years and is the part that needs maintenance. A light acrylic re-coat every 3 years keeps your colored slab looking like the day it was poured.