What is Coloured Concrete & How It Works
Coloured concrete is basically regular concrete with pigment added to give it colour instead of that standard grey look. Pretty straightforward really. You’re getting the same strength and durability you’d expect from concrete, but with the aesthetic appeal that makes your outdoor areas look finished and intentional.
Two Main Methods We Use:
The way we add colour depends on what you’re after and your budget. Integral colouring means we mix the pigment right through the entire concrete batch. The colour goes all the way through, so if you get a scratch or chip down the track, you won’t see grey concrete underneath – it’s the same colour throughout. This method gives you consistent, uniform colour that won’t fade or wear off.
The other option is colour hardeners, which we broadcast onto the surface while the concrete’s still wet and work it in. This gives you more intense, richer colour on the surface because there’s a higher concentration of pigment right where you see it. Both methods work well – integral is great for that natural, subtle look, while hardeners deliver bolder, more dramatic colour.
There’s also stains and dyes you can apply after the concrete’s cured, but honestly, for driveways and outdoor areas in Hobart’s climate, we usually recommend integral or hardeners. They’re more permanent and handle our weather better. Plus, with professional application, you get even colour distribution without streaks or patches that can happen with DIY approaches.
Colour Options for Hobart Properties
The colour range you can choose from is pretty extensive these days. We’ve got everything from subtle earth tones through to bold charcoals and slate greys – really depends on what look you’re going for and what suits your property.
Earth tones are massive in Hobart right now. Think terracotta, sandstone, tan, and ochre shades. They work beautifully with our natural landscape and complement brick homes perfectly. If you’ve got a heritage property in Battery Point or a weatherboard in Moonah, warm earth tones usually look spot on.
Grey variations are your modern classics – charcoal, slate, warm grey, cool grey. These suit contemporary builds and coastal homes really well. We’ve done heaps of charcoal driveways in Kingston Beach and Sandy Bay that just look clean and sophisticated without trying too hard.
Then you’ve got natural stone colours that mimic bluestone, limestone, and granite. These are brilliant if you want that upscale look but don’t want to pay bluestone prices. They coordinate beautifully with Hobart’s natural stone features and Tasmanian landscapes.
Cool colours like blue-grey and sage are less common but can look incredible with the right property. Warm reds and browns – red oxide, terracotta, rich browns – these give you that Mediterranean or Tuscan villa vibe that some people love.
Here’s what most people don’t realise – we can also do custom blending. Mix multiple colours together for unique effects and one-of-a-kind finishes. You’re not stuck with just one standard shade if you don’t want to be.
Where You Can Use Coloured Concrete
Driveways are the big one – they’re what most Hobart homeowners come to us for first. Makes sense when you think about it. Your driveway is the first thing you see pulling up to your property, and it’s the first thing guests notice. Coloured concrete instantly boosts curb appeal and adds real value to your home. We’ve done hundreds across Glenorchy, Lenah Valley, and Kingston, and the transformation is always massive.
Patios and alfresco areas are perfect for coloured concrete. You can coordinate the colour with your decking, your outdoor furniture, even your garden plantings. Creates that cohesive outdoor living space that Hobart homes need for making the most of our summers. Plus, sealed coloured concrete is brilliant for barbecue areas – spills wipe up easy.
Pool surrounds look incredible in coloured concrete, especially in resort-style finishes. You get that high-end look without the premium paver price tag. And you can add grip to the surface so it’s safer around water.
Pathways and feature walkways through gardens, courtyards for intimate entertaining spaces, even commercial entries for businesses wanting to make a good first impression. And here’s a popular combo – coloured concrete works beautifully with exposed aggregate. You get the decorative stone texture with your choice of colour in the concrete base.
Basically, anywhere you’d use plain concrete, you can use coloured. The applications are only limited by your imagination and your budget.
Design Benefits & Performance in Hobart's Climate
The main reason people choose coloured concrete over plain grey? It just looks better. But it’s not just about aesthetics – when you pick the right colour for your Hobart property, you’re creating visual harmony that actually increases your home’s value and appeal.
Matching Your Home’s Style: Whether you’ve got a heritage weatherboard in Claremont, a modern build in Kingston, or a brick veneer in Glenorchy, there’s a colour that’ll complement your exterior perfectly. We’ve done warm terracotta tones for period homes in Battery Point that look like they’ve always been there, and sleek charcoals for contemporary properties that give that designer edge.
The colour you choose defines outdoor spaces and zones too. Different coloured sections can separate your driveway from entertainment areas, or create feature panels that draw the eye. It’s about creating a finished, professional appearance that makes your property look intentional and well-maintained.
Hobart’s Climate Performance: Here’s what matters for Tasmania – the pigments we use are UV-stable, so they won’t fade under our summer sun or bleach out over the years. The colour stays permanent through all four seasons, handling Hobart’s 600mm+ annual rainfall without washing out or staining.
Frost resistance is built in for those cold winter mornings, and when properly sealed, coloured concrete maintains its appearance through temperature variations that’d wreck lesser materials. We’re talking surfaces that look good year after year in coastal conditions and inland weather alike – that’s what you need for Hobart properties.
Installation Process & Protecting Your Investment
The installation process starts the same way as any quality concrete job – proper base preparation is everything. We prep your site, get the levels right, make sure drainage is sorted. Then comes the colour selection and sample approval, because you want to be 100% happy with your choice before we pour.
For integral colour, the pigment gets added during batching at the concrete plant. It’s mixed through the entire load, so every bit of concrete that arrives at your property has consistent colour throughout. We pour, screed, and finish it just like regular concrete – broom finish, trowel smooth, or exposed aggregate, whatever you’ve chosen.
With colour hardeners, we broadcast the dry powder onto the wet surface while we’re finishing, then work it in with our trowels and floats. This concentrates the colour right at the surface where you see it, giving you that richer, more intense look. Takes a bit more skill to get even distribution without patches or streaks, but that’s why you hire professionals instead of trying to DIY it.
The concrete needs its curing period – we keep it moist for proper strength development. Depending on weather and the specific mix, you’re usually looking at 2-4 days from pour to being able to walk on it, then a week or so before you’re parking cars on it.
Sealing is Essential: Here’s what a lot of people don’t realise – sealing your coloured concrete isn’t optional, it’s essential for protecting your investment. A quality sealer enhances the colour depth, makes it richer and more vibrant. It protects against UV fading, prevents staining from oil drips or spills, and stops moisture getting in to cause damage. You can choose gloss, semi-gloss, or matte finish depending on the look you want. We recommend resealing every 2-3 years to maintain that fresh appearance and long-term protection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coloured Concrete
Not with quality UV-stable pigments, which is what we use. The pigments are designed specifically to resist fading from sun exposure. If the concrete’s properly sealed and you maintain that sealer every few years, the colour stays vibrant for decades. We’ve got driveways we did 15+ years ago in Sandy Bay and Kingston that still look great.
Depends on the finish. A smooth trowel finish can get slippery, sure. But most outdoor applications we do – driveways, patios, pool surrounds – we use a broom finish or exposed aggregate which gives you heaps of grip. You can also add non-slip additives to the sealer if you’re worried about it.
With integral colour, no – the colour goes all the way through, so cracks show the same colour. With colour hardeners, you might see some lighter concrete if you get a deep crack, but proper reinforcement and control joints prevent most cracking issues anyway. That’s why site prep and reinforcement matter so much.
Not easily, and not without significant cost. You’d be looking at grinding off the surface or applying a coating system, neither of which is cheap. That’s why we do samples and take time on colour selection upfront – you want to be certain before we pour.
Usually walk on it after 24-48 hours, drive on it after 7 days. Full cure takes 28 days, but you can use it normally well before that. Weather affects timing – cold Hobart winters slow the cure a bit, hot days speed it up.
It’s 10-20% more for integral colour, a bit more again for colour hardeners. So if plain concrete is $100/sqm, you might be looking at $110-120/sqm for colour. Still cheaper than pavers and way better long-term value.
Get Your Coloured Concrete Project Started in Hobart
If you’re thinking about coloured concrete for your Hobart property – whether it’s a driveway in Glenorchy, a patio in Kingston, or pool surrounds in Sandy Bay – let’s have a chat about what’ll work best for your place.
We’ll come out to your property, have a look at what you’re working with, talk through colour options that’ll suit your home’s style, and give you a straightforward quote with no surprises. We can bring samples so you can see exactly what different colours look like in your actual light and landscape – way better than trying to guess from online photos.
Been doing this across Hobart for years now, so we know what works in our climate, what holds up in our weather, and what looks right for different property types around Greater Hobart. Whether you want subtle earth tones or bold contemporary colours, we’ll help you get it right the first time.
Give us a call or send through an enquiry and we’ll sort out a time that works for you. No obligation, no pressure – just honest advice about coloured concrete options for your property and what it’ll actually cost.
