TRUFORM CONCRETE
SPECIALISTS | RIVERSIDE

pick a color, any color.

Colored Concrete Contractor Riverside, CA

Forgive us, but we're about to get nerdy on you for a second.


Because colored concrete isn't super prevalent yet--although its popularity has grown exponentially in the last 10 years or so--it's actually not that new. It was now over 70 years ago that the F.D. David Company introduced concrete contractors to the idea of adding synthetic iron oxide to their regular grey concrete mix. This synthetic iron oxide at the time was actually a waste product from chemical manufacturing, and when they added this colored powder to the mix, they discovered that it was possible to create a wide range of earth tone colors. Now, this substance is no longer a waste product! In fact, hundreds of millions of pounds of synthetic iron oxide are produced as more and more people begin to discover and fall in love with colored and decorative concrete.


Since then, many more methods for adding color to concrete have been developed. This process might sound very simple, but it is actually full of complexities. It takes an experienced concrete contractor who is well-versed in the art of colored concrete to produce an outstanding product for their customers. If done wrong, it can be prone to color inconsistencies, or even fading over time.


If you're interested in the best colored contract services in Riverside County, give us a call today at (951) 783-3833.

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Colored Concrete Dyes, Stains and Pigments

The words "stain" and "dye" get used interchangeably a lot, but there are some very key differences.  They become very important when trying to figure out which one is the right choice for your project. We'll break them down for you real fast.


Dyes - Dyes are the best choice if you're trying to keep colored concrete application simple. These are the powders that we discussed earlier, the ones that kicked off the colored concrete movement. In this case, the raw dye powder gets dispersed into a water or some other kind of solvent, then it gets applied to the concrete.


Pigments - Unlike dyes and stains, pigments are dry particles of color. These can't be dispersed into a solvent like dyes, but they actually have to be mixed into the concrete from the beginning because they can't really penetrate hardened concrete surfaces.

Stains - Concrete contractors will opt for a stain when tinting or changing the color of existing concrete. One type of stain will form a film that lays on top of the concrete in a way that's similar to the way that paint lays on top of a wall. And similarly to paint, these stains can peel or chip away. If the surface has to endure excessive foot traffic or harsh weather conditions, this increases the likelihood of peeling or chipping. A second--and more preferable--form of stain is a penetrating stain. Form-penetrating stains are more permanent than film-forming stains because they get deeper into the porous concrete surface (which is how you can remember the difference, they "penetrate" the concrete.) These stains are available in a wide range of tints and shades, including bold-colored hues that have become a crowd favorite over the years.


Now that you've got the 411, which of these options is best for you?


The main differences between dyes and stains is color predictability. With dyes, you always know exactly which color you're going to get. On the other hand, when dealing with a stain, you have to keep in mind that it's a chemical that reacts with the concrete itself. This will make the color less predictable. That being said, acid dyes and stains allow us to create designs, logos, and more intricate coloring than pigments allow for.


We have many clients who inquire about their existing concrete floors. If you have an existing concrete floor and you're interested in adding color, the only way to successfully accomplish this would be with acid stains or dyes. Remember, pigments have to be mixed in when the concrete is poured, so they are obviously not an option for an existing floor.


Ultimately, as our customer, your expectations and the outcome that you are looking for will determine which material that we use, and each one has their own pros and cons that will have to be weighed during the decision-making process. But this is why we boast so much about the experience that our team at TruForm Concrete Specialists Riverside is able to provide. We go to great lengths to discuss the needs and wants of our customers to come up with a plan that we're confident they'll be completely happy with. If you've ever worked with a concrete contractor in the past or heard horror stories from your friends and families, unfortunately, that's not uncommon. But TruForm Concrete Specialists Riverside is a cut above the rest, and we can't wait to prove it to you.

FAQs about Colored Concrete Services in Riverside, CA

  • Will colored concrete fade?

    Technically the answer is no, but we understand why we get this question sometimes. The great news is, because of the way that the pigment that goes into colored concrete is manufactured, the color itself does not fade. However, the actual concrete material can change over time, giving the appearance of fading. However, the concrete will change due to normal factors such as time and exposure to the elements. Regular, uncolored concrete turns yellow over time or darkens as dust, dirt and grime settles into it, which slowly changes its appearance. The same thing can happened with colored concrete, especially if it's not initially installed by professional concrete contractors who are familiar with the product. They will have the expertise needed to mix and install the aggregate properly, so that it remains durable and stands the test of time.

  • Does colored concrete need to be sealed?

    We'll keep this short and sweet: If you want your colored concrete to look good for a long time, then the answer is yes.

  • Will sealing colored concrete make it darker?

    Sealers do tend to darken concrete. One way to lessen this effect is to make sure that the sealer is applied evenly. It's mostly when the sealer is applied unevenly that people notice this unsightly patches of darker colored concrete, because you'll find that the areas with less sealer will be lighter, and the ones where there is more sealer will be darker. If the sealer is applied with a sprayer, it you might notice a stripe effect. The TruForm Concrete Specialists apply sealer evenly to avoid this appearance. But if you are particularly concerned about any form of darkening, let us know. This may require us to make adjustments to the color to compensate for the darkening that will occur upon sealing.

  • What happens if you don't seal colored concrete?

    If left unsealed, the colors will fade much quicker than they would if properly maintained. The secret to colored concrete that continues to look good year after year is proper installation and maintenance, and sealing is part of that. Otherwise, water marks will show, and stains will be able to penetrate the surface. If you opt for colored concrete driveway, for example, ugly oil spots will seep in over time and ruin the aesthetic. That's why we recommend sealing in order to protect your investment! 

What TruForm Concrete Specialists Riverside Offers Our Customers

Fair Pricing

One of the biggest concerns that we hear from potential customers is about the lack of certainty that they have about whether or not a concrete contractor is providing them fair pricing for their services. With TruForm Concrete Specialists Riverside, you'll never have to worry about that. You can trust us, and we're prepared to earn it.

Respect for Your Property

We get it--it's not always comfortable to have strangers on your property, working close to your place of residence. You are completely justified in feeling concerned about your privacy, and contractors who respect your home. We promise to treat your property the way we would want ours to be treated, and won't settle for anything less from our team.

Punctual & Reliable

In our industry, it's not common for contractors to earn the reputation of being punctual or reliable. Way too many customers report being left high and dry by concrete teams they've hired in the past (We've heard some horror stories about this.) Well, with TruForm Concrete Specialists Riverside, you won't have to worry about the games. Prepare to be wowed.

A splash of color changes everything.

TruForm Concrete Specialists Riverside has been offering colored concrete services for so long that we have a tremendous amount of experience. We always want to provide the best colored concrete services in Riverside, CA and to the Riverside County area.


Put us to the test! We can't wait to show you what we can do.

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Interested in our colored concrete services?
Let's get our rainbow on.

And if you've got any questions, we've got answers.

We're never ones to brag, but our colored concrete services are second to none.

Contact us today to find out why we are the contractors that you should choose for your colored concrete project at your residence or commercial property.

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