Integral Colour vs Surface Colouring What’s the Best Way to Add Colour to Concrete

What’s the Difference Between Integral Colour and Surface Colouring

Concrete is grey. Until it isn’t.

These days, you can get your slab in just about any shade you like. But the big question is how you’re going to get that colour in. You’ve probably heard people throw around terms like integral colour and surface colouring. Sounds fancy, but it’s really just two different ways to give your concrete some personality.

Let’s make it simple. You’ve got colour in the mix, or colour on the surface. Both work, but they do the job in totally different ways.

What Is Integral Colour

This is colour mixed right into the concrete before the pour. It’s like adding food colouring to cake batter. Once it’s in, it’s in for good. The whole slab gets the same colour all the way through, top to bottom.

So if it chips or scuffs, no big deal. The colour underneath is the same as what you see on top. That makes it a great choice if you want something clean, consistent, and low effort once it’s down.

Why people like it:

• The colour’s baked in so it can’t peel off

• Wear and tear won’t ruin the look

• Speeds up the job because you’re colouring as you pour

It’s ideal for new pours, but you do need to decide early. Once the concrete’s set, you can’t go back and add it. And the colour choices tend to be a bit more natural and muted. Think earthy tones, not wild brights.

What Is Surface Colouring

Surface colouring is anything you put on top after the concrete’s poured. You’re working with the slab you’ve got and dressing it up. That might be a stain, a dye, a tinted sealer, or even a full overlay if things are looking rough.

Want a marbled bronze finish on your patio? Acid stain. Want a sleek charcoal floor inside? Concrete dye. Need to cover up a patchy repair job? A coloured overlay will sort it.

Here’s why people love surface colouring:

• Loads more colours to choose from

• You can layer up effects for more texture and movement

• Works on existing concrete as long as it’s prepped right

You just have to give it a bit more care. Surface colour needs proper sealing and the right maintenance if you want it to hold up. Skip that part and it might fade or flake.

Which One’s Better

That depends on what you’re working with. If it’s a brand new pour and you want one solid colour that will never rub off, integral colour is a safe bet. Set it and forget it.

If you want control, detail, or something that pops, surface colouring gives you loads more options. Plus you can use it on older slabs that need a glow up.

And here’s a little secret. You don’t have to pick just one. Plenty of pros use both. Start with integral colour for the base, then layer a stain or dye over the top for extra depth. It gives you a finish that looks rich and lived in right from day one.

One More Thing

Always do a test patch. Every slab’s different. What looks caramel in the chart might dry beige on your surface. Test it in a quiet corner, let it cure, and make sure you’re happy before you commit.

Still not sure what your slab needs? Give me a shout. I’ll help you figure out the best way to get the colour you want without any guesswork. Whether you’re pouring new or refreshing old, there’s always a way to make it look good.