How We Add Colour to Your Concrete
There’s three main ways to get colour into concrete, and each one gives you different results depending on what you’re after. Oxide colours are what we use most often for driveways and patios around Ipswich – we mix the colour pigment right through the concrete before we pour it. This means if the surface ever chips or wears down over time, you won’t see grey concrete underneath because the colour goes all the way through. It’s the most durable option and holds up brilliantly against our harsh Queensland sun.
Surface stains work differently – they’re applied after the concrete’s cured, penetrating into the surface to create unique, variegated colour effects that can look really natural. You’ll get subtle variations in tone that some homeowners love for the character it adds. The downside? If you get deep scratches or chips, you might see the natural concrete colour beneath.
Dry-shake colour hardeners sit somewhere in between. We broadcast the coloured powder onto the wet concrete surface and trowel it in, giving you a coloured layer that’s several millimetres thick. This method also hardens the surface, making it more resistant to wear – something that’s handy for high-traffic areas like driveways in Springfield or Bundamba. The colour won’t go as deep as oxide mixing, but it’s tougher than surface stains and gives you a more uniform finish.
Colour Palette Options for Ipswich Homes
Where Coloured Concrete Works Best
Driveways are where we do most of our coloured concrete work in Ipswich. A driveway is one of the first things people see when they look at your property, and switching from plain grey to a colour that complements your home makes a genuine difference to your street appeal. We’ve done hundreds of driveways across Bundamba and Springfield where homeowners wanted something that looked better than standard concrete but didn’t want the maintenance headaches that come with pavers.
Patios and outdoor entertaining areas are another perfect application. When you’re creating that Queensland outdoor lifestyle space, coloured concrete in warm sandstone or terracotta tones helps define the area and makes it feel more like an extension of your home rather than just a slab out the back. Pool surrounds benefit from colour too – lighter shades stay cooler underfoot during Ipswich’s scorching summers, which your kids will appreciate when they’re running around barefoot.
Pathways, decorative borders, and feature areas give you opportunities to get creative. We’ve used contrasting colours to create borders around driveways, or different tones to define garden beds and walkways. Commercial floors are another growing application – warehouses and retail spaces that want durable, easy-to-clean floors with some visual appeal rather than just industrial grey. The colour options let you zone different areas or simply make the space look more professional and finished.
How Coloured Concrete Holds Up in Ipswich's Climate
The question we get asked most is whether the colour will fade in Queensland’s harsh sun. It’s a fair concern – we’ve all seen old painted surfaces that’ve been bleached out after years of UV exposure. With quality oxide colours mixed through the concrete, fading is minimal because the pigments we use are specifically designed to be UV stable. You’ll get some slight lightening over the first year or two as the surface weathers, but after that initial period, the colour stays pretty consistent.
Surface stains can fade more noticeably over time if they’re not properly sealed and maintained. That’s why we always recommend a quality sealer for any coloured concrete work – it’s not just about protecting the colour, it also helps with water resistance and makes the surface easier to clean. In Ipswich’s climate where we cop extreme heat followed by heavy downpours during storm season, a good sealer is your first line of defence against the elements.
The colour retention you’ll get depends partly on the application method and partly on how well you maintain it. Oxide colours that are mixed right through the concrete are the most fade-resistant option we offer, which is why they’re what we recommend for driveways and high-exposure areas around Springfield and Bundamba. With proper sealing and occasional resealing every few years, your coloured concrete will keep looking good for decades, not just seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coloured Concrete
Yeah, it does cost a bit more – typically 10-20% depending on the colour method you choose. Oxide colours mixed through the concrete are at the higher end because we’re adding pigment to the entire batch, while surface treatments can be more affordable. Most homeowners around Ipswich reckon the extra cost is worth it for the visual improvement and the value it adds to their property.
With oxide colours mixed through the concrete, you’ll see minimal fading. There’s some initial lightening in the first year or two as the surface weathers, but after that it stays pretty stable. Surface stains can fade more if they’re not sealed properly. We always recommend quality sealing and periodic resealing to protect your colour investment in our harsh Queensland climate.
Absolutely. Bring us a sample or photo of what you’re trying to match – could be your brickwork, render colour, or even a paint chip – and we’ll create test batches until we get it right. Custom colour matching takes a bit longer than standard colours, but it’s definitely doable.
Not really. Clean it like you would regular concrete – hose it down, use a mild detergent for stubborn marks. The main difference is resealing every 2-3 years to keep the colour protected and the surface looking fresh. It’s less maintenance than pavers, that’s for sure.
Ready to Add Custom Colour to Your Concrete Project?
You’re already planning to invest in quality concrete that’ll handle Ipswich’s challenging conditions – reactive clay soils, scorching summers, and heavy rainfall. Why settle for plain grey when you can have a custom colour that makes your driveway, patio, or outdoor space look exactly how you want it?
We’ve been installing coloured concrete across Ipswich, Springfield, Redbank Plains, Booval, and Bundamba for years, and we know what works in our local conditions. Our oxide colours are mixed right through the concrete for maximum fade resistance, or we can apply surface treatments depending on your project needs and budget. Every installation comes with our commitment to quality workmanship and concrete that’s built to last in Queensland’s harsh climate.
Give us a call and we’ll come out to your property for a free quote. We’ll talk through your colour options, show you samples, and explain exactly what’ll work best for your specific project. Whether you’re after subtle earth tones or bold custom shades, we’ll help you create concrete surfaces that perform beautifully and look stunning for years to come.
Contact Total Concrete Ipswich today – let’s discuss your coloured concrete project and turn that vision you’ve got into reality.
