Concrete can form any shape, design, different color, pattern, texture. Coloured concrete is the best flooring option to enhance the richness of the floor.

1. 10/15/2013
Coloured Concrete
Metro Mix Concrete
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2. COLOURED CONCRETE
Concrete is the most durable, catchy and cost-effective material available in the market. It is the
best flooring option that one could choose upon as it provides amazing transformation and worth
the money paid for. The manufacturers are now offering an infinite number of colouring
techniques and wide palette of shades for the customers to choose from. It is important to
communicate with your contractor prior to the install of the concrete regarding the colour and
design options that will suit your flooring and enhance its richness.
ASPECTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING COLOURED CONCRETE
FLOORING
Concrete Colour Charts Can Be Unreliable
The concrete colour charts can be deceptive and need not specify the final outcomes
exactly. Asking for a trial application for the concrete mix that you are going to use
would be a wise choice as the colour of the concrete widely depends upon various factors
like the condition of the concrete, its original colour, the usage of right polish and
colouring equipments.
Concrete Colouring Generates Luxurious Richness
Decide on what look you want to achieve for your floor with colouring and explain it
clearly to your contractor to choose upon the best combination of colours for your design
needs.
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3. Consistency Matters
The cement type and its brand, aggregates, water-cement ratio has considerable impact on
the consistency in every patch of your flooring project. Colour variations can be caused
when unique batches of concrete vary and also during the operational timings like curing
and staining methods.
Custom Hues Can Also Be Formulated
If you cannot find the exact colour for your floor, ask the contractor for custom colour
matching to suit your project or design scheme. And, the custom hues are achieved by
mixing two or more colours.
HOW COLOURED CONCRETE CAN REJUVENATE DULL FLOORING
Select The Right Concrete Finishing Tool
The look of your concrete floor can be updated by asking for colouring options from the
contractor. The colour variations can be caused by various factors like
Inconsistencies in the finishing practices
Timing of operations
Decoration Methods
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4. Unlimited Colour Options
Once there were only limited colour choices, but now the manufacturers are offering
unlimited colour choices to suit your home’s interior and exterior.
Elegance
Choose on the best colour options and you need not worry about the hassle of
maintaining the floor, as this creative option will keep the floor away from rotting or
cracking.
Make Your State ment With The Decorative Option
Using the same colour or finish for the concrete as those of elements like the window,
walls, porch lights, etc. will create a sophisticated look.
A Welcoming Entrance
The decorative colouring options added to the entrance of a home adds value to it and
complements the style.
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5. Consider Roof Colours
The colour of your concrete if matches the paint colour on the wa ll or when it repeats the
hues from the brick will produce a cohesive look.
COMMON CONCRETE PROBLEMS, CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
The few common concrete problems are Scaling, Shrinkage, Discolouration and Crazing.
1. DISCOLOURATION
The concrete should have the same colour after the pour, unless high quality colour
pigment is added specifically. Improper placement or variations in the finishing
operations, excessive or hard troweling may cause discolourations.
Ways to Prevent Discolouration
The set time of concrete can be accelerated and the strength can be increased with
Calcium chloride. Liquid chloride will not cause discolouration and the usage of Calcium
chloride flakes can cause dark spots as they are difficult to dissolve.
Constant subgrade should be maintained for placement, finishing and the cure of
concrete.
2. SCALING
The flaking or peeling of the finished concrete as a result of exposure to freezing and
thawing is called as Scaling. Generally it starts within a small area and expands
gradually.
Causes For Scaling
The use of little air entrained concrete.
The finishing operation performed when there is bleed water is on the surface.
Weak surface skin is caused because of insufficient curing.
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6. Ways To Prevent It
Delay the finishing operation until all standing water has evaporated or removed.
Use low slump and air-entrained concrete, which is to be exposed to the freezing and
thawing cycles.
Protect the Concrete against harsh winter environments by the usage of silane or
siloxane-based breathable concrete sealer or water-repellant to prevent the newly placed
concrete from becoming saturated with water.
Avoid the usage of salt or any other harsh chemicals once the concrete has finished
especially during the first winter.
3. PLASTIC SHRINKAGE
The cracks formed before the concrete is set (i.e., is still plastic) is called as Plastic shrinkage.
The cracks form a random pattern or simply parallel to each other and will not be evident until
the next day. The small and shallow cracks in the initial stages with subsequent movement will
increase the size and seriously impair the performance of the concrete.
Causes For Plastic Shrinkage
Bleeding is a process in which moisture rises to the surface during the placement of
concrete. When the water dries, the surface is subjected to cracks, when the rate of
evaporation is quicker than it is replaced by further bleeding.
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7. The rate of evaporation of bleed water is determined by several environmental factors
like high temperatures, low humidity and high wind.
Ways To Prevent It
Dampen the subgrade and forms
Reduce the wind velocity by erecting wind breaks
Minimize placing and finishing time
Curing promptly after finishing
4. CRAZING
The development of a network of fine random cracks or fissures on the surface of the concrete
caused by the shrinkage of the surface layer is called as crazing.
Causes For Crazing
The rapid moisture loss results in crazing.
Usage of too much placing tools, dry cement or rapid drying of the concrete surface.
Poor or inadequate curing.
The frequent cause is sprinkling cement on the surface to dry up the bleed water.
Ways To Prevent It
Usage of evaporation retardants or fog spray.
Cure the concrete immediately.
Use moderate slump concrete with reduced bleeding characteristics.
Do not finish concrete before it has completed bleeding.
Do not dust cement to absorb bleed water on the surface.
Do not sprinkle water on the surface while finishing concrete.
The common ways to avoid these problems are to start out with the high quality mix, proper
finishing of the concrete, treating the concrete right once it is placed.
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