Colored cement

The construction industry is changing due to colored cement, which opens up new possibilities in terms of both aesthetics and functionality. Although cement has historically been thought of as a lifeless, gray substance, colored cement has allowed architects and builders to add vivid colors to their designs. This innovation improves the aesthetic appeal of buildings, both residential and commercial, and permits creative expression.

Pigments are added to the mixture in order to create colored cement. These pigments, which can be synthetic or natural, are selected based on how well they resist the severe weather that cement structures frequently experience. The end product is a strong, eye-catching material that holds its color over time. This development creates new opportunities for bold architectural statements or for blending structures with their surroundings, in addition to expanding the design palette.

Colored cement has useful advantages in addition to aesthetic ones. For example, light-colored cement can reflect more light, which lowers heat absorption and increases building energy efficiency. Because of this, it is a sustainable option for environmentally sensitive building projects. Using colored cement can also lessen the need for exterior paints and coatings, which can fade or require constant upkeep.

Colored cement is redefining the possibilities in construction, from vivid driveways and walkways to colorful facades and elaborate decorative elements. It offers a novel approach to conventional materials and offers a robust and adaptable solution that satisfies the requirements of contemporary architecture. Future applications should be even more inventive and fascinating as colored cement production techniques and technology continue to progress.

Color Application
Red Pathways, driveways
Green Gardens, parks
Blue Swimming pools, decorative elements
Yellow Outdoor furniture, play areas

The use of colored cement, which provides strong and colorful substitutes for conventional gray cement, is transforming contemporary building. With this cutting-edge material, architects and builders can add distinctive visual elements to projects without sacrificing the durability and adaptability of traditional cement. Colored cement creates new avenues for artistic expression in both residential and commercial settings, whether it is used for customized interior spaces, artistic facades, or decorative pathways. Offering an extensive variety of colors, it offers a workable way to create visually striking effects that endure.

Where colored cement is used

The following products are made with colored mortar and concrete:

  • Curbs, paving stones, paving slabs and garden and park paths.
  • Artificial stone for facade finishing.
  • Street decor: vases, flower beds, pots and other small architectural forms.
  • Colored plaster.
  • Decorative brick and foam block.

Colored additives in cement

The three primary categories of colored additives are liquid, semi-liquid, and dry colors. The products’ operating conditions should be considered when selecting a category option.

A powder (dry) colorant that precisely colors the structure, resists fading in the presence of UV light, is not washed out by precipitation, and does not react chemically with the sealant (water) is the most ideal type of dye for all operating conditions.

Both natural and artificial materials can be used as dry coloring agents for concrete. The colors in both instances are created by finely divided oxides of different metals in powder form.

The distinction is that in the first instance, waste and byproducts from the metallurgical industry serve as raw materials, whereas in the second scenario, natural dyes are produced by grinding raw materials extracted from ore.

Commonly utilized standard color palettes:

  • Black (soot or black iron oxide).
  • White (titanium dioxide).
  • Red (pure iron oxide).
  • Brown (a mixture of red and black iron oxides or umber).
  • Yellow (iron oxide hydrate).
  • Green (chromium oxide).
  • Blue (copper phthalocyanine).

Retail chains provide a wide range of colorant manufacturers, enabling you to create colored concrete mortar in a variety of shades. We will introduce clean people to the most well-known brands in this article:

  • «BAYFERROX», manufactured by Company LanXESS (Germany). The dyes of this brand are leaders in all respects, have excellent wear resistance, are characterized by the absence of dust fractions, and also contain special substances (dispersants) that provide the most uniform coloring of the structure. Among the disadvantages is the high cost.
  • «Yaroslavsky Pigment» (Russian Federation). The company produces pigments in a wide range of colors: red, brown, orange, green, white, black, blue. At the same time, the colors of «Yaroslavsky Pigment» are distinguished by their affordable cost, environmental friendliness, resistance to harmful factors (ultraviolet, alkalis, high temperature, atmospheric influence), excellent hiding power and coloring ability.
  • «PRECOLOR A.S.» (Czech Republic). The company offers an unlimited range of colors. At the same time, the pigments «PRECOLOR A.S.» are colorfast, environmentally friendly for people and animals and meet European quality standards.
  • «CATHAY Pigments Group» (Hong Kong, China). The colors of this brand have excellent hiding power, resistance to harmful factors and color saturation.

DIY colored cement

Colored mortar and concrete are things you can make yourself. The primary requirements are to use clean white sand and water, and to pay attention to the ratios. Use white Portland cement to achieve a highly saturated color with the least amount of additional pigment.

Gray general construction Portland cement "muffles" the brightness of shades, giving products pastel tones. It is worth noting that the use of white Portland cement significantly increases the cost of the final product.

See for yourself: a 50 kg bag of white cement typically costs between 700 and 1044 rubles, whereas a 50 kg bag of regular cement costs between 290 and 345 rubles.

Next, we’ll walk you through the process of creating colored cement mortar that you can use to build garden paths, confined spaces, sidewalks, and other light-weight constructions:

  • Proportions of components: Portland cement 1 part, white purified sand 2.5 parts, washed granite screenings 4 parts, clean water 0.3 parts, colorant 5-10% of the cement weight. Practical advice! There is a limit to color saturation. In other words, there is a certain threshold for the amount of colorant added, when adding another portion no longer affects the brightness of the shade. Moreover, this leads to an increase in cost price and a harmful phenomenon – moisture absorption (in some cases, this will worsen the quality of the product). The percentage of dye indicated above is the so-called "threshold".
  • High-quality colored building material will be obtained provided that the components are uniformly mixed. Therefore, a concrete mixer should be used to prepare colored concrete. First, sand and gravel are loaded into the concrete mixer. Mix and add cement. Mix again and add dye. The concrete mixer is left turned on until the mixed mass acquires a uniform color.
  • Water is added in small portions while mixing the components. Water is added until the desired consistency of concrete (solution) is obtained.
  • Colored concrete (solution) is ready for use.

Conclusion

Online resources provide instructions on making colored cement by hand without the need for "branded" concrete colors. Users are advised to combine calcium chloride, lime, dry lime paint, and laundry soap in specific amounts to save money.

It is important to note that while you may save a little money this way, the desired outcome in terms of color saturation and durability will not be obtained. Therefore, "don’t be clever" and use special dyes from well-known brands if you want the finished product to be a magnificent decorative piece.

An endless array of imaginative possibilities for building and design are made possible by colored cement. It eliminates the need for extra finishes or coatings and enables the creation of colorful, eye-catching surfaces. Because of its adaptability, it’s a great option for both commercial and residential projects, adding aesthetic value without sacrificing the strength and durability of regular cement.

The ability of colored cement to mix in perfectly with different design elements is one of its main advantages. It comes in an array of hues and tones that can go well with any style, be it for walls, flooring, or accent pieces. This adaptability makes a space more visually appealing while also enabling customized and distinctive design solutions.

For outdoor projects, colored cement is also a useful choice. Its UV-resistant pigments guarantee that, even in the face of severe weather, colors stay vivid and do not deteriorate over time. Because of its longevity, it’s an affordable option for outdoor applications where durability and aesthetics are important, like patios, driveways, and walkways.

Your building projects’ overall functionality and design can be greatly improved by using colored cement. It is possible to create beautiful, durable surfaces that stand out and increase the value of any property by selecting the appropriate colors and applications. Colored cement is expected to become a mainstay of contemporary architecture and design as more designers and architects investigate its possibilities.

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Anna Vasilieva

Journalist with a technical education, specializing in construction topics. I can explain complex technical topics in simple and accessible language.

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