Pouring Colored Concrete – Concrete Pigment
What You Need To Know Before Ordering Pigment
Many of our customers are building houses or pouring slabs and have questions about how to mix integral color into the concrete correctly. While adding pigment to the concrete before pouring a slab is by far the easiest color option, customers still need to ask a few important questions to get the color and appearance they’re hoping for. Before ordering your concrete pigment, call the ready-mix company responsible for pouring your concrete and ask the following questions:
1) What PSI or Sack Mix will the Company be Pouring?
The colors on Direct Colors Concrete Pigment Color Chart are created using a 5 sack mix or 3000 psi concrete. If the psi for your concrete is higher, the concrete pigment calculation will change. The amount of pigment needed will increase with the psi of the concrete.
2) What Percentage of Fly Ash will be Added to the Concrete?
Excessive fly ash in the concrete can lighten the final color of a slab. 20% or less fly ash is acceptable with 10% being ideal.
3) How Many Yards of Concrete will be Poured?
The number of yards poured determines how many pounds of pigment will be needed to achieve a specific color.
TIP: To ensure complete mixing, ask the Ready-mix company to add the concrete pigment before leaving the plant. The pigment should be mixed with the concrete for a minimum of 15-20 minutes prior to pouring. For exact pigment for truck pour measurements, visit our project calculator and select the custom batch calculator. Remember to seal the concrete anytime from 15 to 30 days after the pour to protect the color.
