Color Systems
Integral colour, dry-shake hardener, acid stain, water-based stain, dye and tinted sealer — six methods, different durability.
How to choose within color systems
Six methods colour concrete and they are not interchangeable. Integral colour is pigment batched into the mix, so it goes all the way through — it survives chips and wear, and it is the choice for new pours. Dry-shake colour hardener is broadcast onto fresh concrete and troweled in; it is the trade standard for stamped work because it both colours and hardens the wear surface, and mottles more richly than integral.
For concrete that already exists, acid stain reacts chemically with free lime so the colour becomes part of the slab and cannot peel — at the cost of a limited earthtone palette and unpredictable variegation. Water-based stains are non-reactive and offer a far wider palette including blues and greens, with more consistency but a need for a sealer topcoat. Dyes are the most vivid and the least UV-stable. Tinted sealer is the least durable and the fastest refresh.
Colour names and swatch systems are manufacturer trademarks. Screen colours are approximate — obtain a physical sample from the manufacturer before specifying.
What this category covers
- Integral colour — liquid, powder, granular
- Dry-shake colour hardener
- Acid stain
- Water-based stain
- Dye
- Tinted sealer
- Antiquing release
Manufacturers in this category
Listed alphabetically, in no order of preference. This site does not test products and does not recommend one brand over another.