Changing the Look of Concrete

Integral Pigment Colouring or Acid Staining?

One of the many benefits of working with concrete surfaces are the unique opportunities to customize concrete in such a way that reflects your home or company’s brand, style or theme.

Choosing the look of your concrete can be an interesting way to personalize the concrete used in your home or commercial space. There are two means of adding colour to concrete – let’s take a look at which choice might be best for your interior or exterior space, and why we at Anthony Concrete Design only offer integral pigmented concrete.

Acid Staining

The first option you might pursue when adding colour to concrete is to apply the surface treatment of acid staining: A stain is applied to your pre-cast concrete surface and essentially sits atop of concrete instead of becoming integrated into the material.

Although acid staining concrete allows for interesting or artistic designs to be applied to concrete, in our experience we have found that acid staining doesn’t allow concrete to keep the warm, beautiful aesthetic that natural concrete offers. Over time, acid stained concrete can wear down, chip and lose its original glossy look which makes it a short-term solution with high-cost consequences.

At Anthony Concrete Design, we look for long-term, natural, elegant and beautiful solutions for concrete design. That’s why we always recommend integrating colour into the very concrete itself by choosing to colour concrete through pigment (or integral) colouring.

Pigment Colouring

Pigment (or integral) colouring is completed by adding a coloured pigment to wet concrete when mixing, prior to casting. Through this solution clients are guaranteed that the concrete will be coloured evenly throughout, while maintaining the natural feel concrete offers. Our standard collection includes shades of grey, black, white and some warmer tones. However, the choice of custom concrete colours is endless! We can offer beautiful pastels or bold and bright hues that matches the aesthetics of your space or branding.

Integral colouring opens many doors to communicate your family or your company’s personal style and taste in design. By integrating a pigment into the very concrete we cast, Anthony Concrete Design can work with you to keep your space looking chic, elegant and taking advantage of the natural beauty that concrete provides.

Let’s Work Together

Getting creative with the look and colour of your concrete can be a great way to personalize your home or commercial space. With an approach to concrete design that values elegance, beauty and longevity, Anthony Concrete Design takes advantage of the benefits that pigment (integral) colouring offers and we always mix our pigment to produce an even, elegant and clean image for your space.

Anthony Concrete Design services commercial and residential clients across Canada and Ontario including Toronto, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; Burlington, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario; London, Ontario and the GTA.