Colored Concrete
Color Built Into Every Pour
Colored concrete mix for residential and functional projects in Albany, Minnesota
When you pour a patio or driveway in Albany, you want it to hold up through freeze-thaw cycles and still look like it belongs in your yard. Colored concrete gives you both by integrating pigment directly into the mix, so the color runs through the entire slab rather than sitting on the surface. It works well for garages, sheds, walkways, and outdoor living areas where appearance and durability both matter.
Albany Ready Mix provides colored concrete mix for residential and commercial applications throughout Albany. The pigment is added during batching, which means the color remains consistent even as the surface wears. This makes it a practical choice for Minnesota's climate, where snow plows, de-icing salt, and seasonal temperature swings can wear down surface treatments. You still get the structural performance of standard concrete, with the added benefit of a finished look that suits your property.
If you are planning a pour in Albany and want to see what color options are available for your project, reach out to Albany Ready Mix to discuss mix design and scheduling.
What changes when pigment goes into the mix
The color is added during the batching process at the plant, so it is already blended into the concrete when the truck arrives at your Albany site. This means you do not need to apply stains, overlays, or coatings after the pour. The finish you see when the concrete cures is the finish that stays, and any surface wear will still show the same color underneath.
Once the slab is poured and finished, you will notice the color is uniform across the entire surface. Over time, even if the top layer wears from foot traffic or vehicle use, the color remains visible because it runs throughout the concrete. This is different from topical coatings, which can chip or fade and require reapplication.
You can use colored concrete for driveways, garage floors, shed slabs, patios, and decorative walkways. The mix still meets standard strength requirements, so it performs like any other concrete in terms of load-bearing and weather resistance. It does not replace the need for proper subgrade prep, control joints, or curing practices, but it does eliminate the need for additional coloring steps after placement.
Questions that come up before placing an order
Homeowners and contractors often have similar questions when they are deciding whether colored concrete makes sense for their project, especially when it comes to durability, color selection, and how it compares to other finishing methods.
What types of projects work well with colored concrete?
You can use it for patios, driveways, garage floors, shed slabs, sidewalks, and any other flatwork where you want a consistent appearance. It works for both functional and decorative applications.
How does the color hold up in Minnesota winters?
Because the pigment is mixed throughout the concrete, it does not fade or wear off like surface coatings. Freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salts may affect the concrete surface over time, but the color stays consistent even as the top layer weathers.
What color options are available?
Albany Ready Mix offers a range of integral pigments, including earth tones, grays, reds, and browns. The final appearance depends on the pigment load, aggregate type, and finishing technique used during placement.
How soon can you walk or drive on colored concrete?
You can typically walk on the surface within 24 to 48 hours, depending on weather conditions. For vehicle traffic, you should wait at least seven days to allow the concrete to reach sufficient strength.
Do you help homeowners new to concrete placement?
Yes, there is an additional cost for the integral color, which varies based on the pigment type and load rate. The total cost also depends on the size of your pour and whether you are using any decorative finishes.
Colored concrete gives you a finished look without needing additional surface treatments, and it holds up well in Albany's climate when poured and cured properly. If you are ready to schedule a delivery or want to review color samples and pricing, contact Albany Ready Mix to go over the details for your project.