Concrete Color Trial Kits

The Best Concrete Colors for Indoor and Outdoor Concrete

Not all concrete is created equal. But more than that, choosing the best concrete colors for your DIY project depends on many things, but one above all: Is the concrete inside, or outside? The colorant you ultimately choose will depend on a few more factors, though. But, generally, there are concrete colors that perform best indoors, and those that thrive outdoors. In this buying guide, we’ll explore what DIYers should look for when choosing the best concrete colors for their projects, and give our own recommendations for what to use.

The Best Concrete Colors for Indoor Concrete

Floors are the most common application for concrete colors. But, as concrete becomes a more popular building material, more and more houses are fitted with concrete surfaces that homeowners might not have expected. Countertops, walls, and even fireplaces and decor could be made of concrete, and could be colored if you so choose. That being said, just because these surfaces are indoors doesn’t mean that they would all be stained with the same product. There are three main factors to look for: heat, moisture, and traffic. For surfaces that could get hot such as fireplace decor and countertops next to stoves, the type stain matters less than the way the concrete is sealed. Concrete acid stain or water-based stains will do the job here, but be sure to seal the surface with Direct Colors Penetrating Sealer. This particular sealer is safe up to 160℉, and won’t bubble or crack the way some other sealers may. Now that that’s out of the way, moisture is your next most important consideration. Similar to heat, protection from moisture penetration is often the job of the sealer. But, indoor flooring generally doesn’t see moisture the way a pool deck or patio might. However, countertops are a different story. Countertops see a lot of moisture and a ton of use from different materials. From pots and pans to knives and hands, your kitchen counter might even see more traffic than your floors do. To stain your concrete countertops, we recommend the Direct Colors Metallic Epoxy Countertop Kit. This kit is perfect for DIYers, and takes the guesswork out of choosing a contrasting base color, metallic pigment and protective top-coat. Our DIY kit is good for approximately 35 sq. ft. of surface area. Metallic epoxy provides a unique, one-of-a-kind finish for indoor concrete countertops, vanities and tables. Our metallic epoxy kit can be used in conjunction with acid stain, integrally colored or tinted concrete sealer finishes. For a more economical option though, we recommend Direct Colors Countertop Refinishing Kit. This kit is a great, low-cost option to remodel your kitchen, and bathroom countertops. You can sand just about any existing surface and apply concrete overlay for a true concrete finish that is lighter, simpler and quicker than traditional concrete pours. These kits are specially made for countertop projects. But, for the high traffic of your concrete floor, we recommend Direct Colors Concrete Acid Stain. For DIYers, our Acid Stain DIY Kit makes it easy to get what you need and start your project as soon as possible. Concrete acid stain is particularly good for high traffic areas such as indoor flooring. This is because of concrete acid stain’s longevity and durability after application. However, for a concrete coloring option that is easier to apply and has less odor, Direct Colors water-based concrete stain is the way to go. This stain, while lacking a bit of the longevity of the acid stain, is much easier to apply, and won’t have the application odor that acid stains will.

The Best Concrete Colors for Outdoor Concrete

For outdoor concrete, all the same rules apply. Heat, moisture, and foot traffic are still your biggest factors when deciding on a stain, but each of those can be fixed up with the right sealer. The main difference between indoor and outdoor concrete stains are sunlight, and the sheer amount of moisture that an outdoor area will experience. UV rays can damage or fade concrete coloring projects. Without the right product, your patio or pool deck can go from beauty to bust in a matter of years or months. That goes for moisture content too. Concrete stains penetrate the pores of the concrete to interact with the inner workings of the material, and if water is clogging up those pores, the stain won’t be able to get in, and you’ll be left with a sub-par coloring job. For the specific and extreme environment of your patio or pool deck, we recommend Direct Colors outdoor stain. This stain is durable enough to withstand the beating rain and sunlight, but powerful enough to give your concrete a rich, vibrant color. For DIYers who aren’t sure what they need to get started, we’ve got you covered. Check out the Direct Colors Outdoor Concrete Stain DIY Kit and get started. However, there are certain outdoor concrete colors that are good for specific types of concrete, and that can achieve different results. Depending on what you want your concrete to look like, there are a few options. For concrete pavers and patios, we recommend Direct Colors’ Portico™ concrete colors. Portico™ is specifically designed to color concrete pavers and is durable enough to withstand heavy foot traffic, UV rays, and other environmental factors once sealed.

Check out the Direct Colors’ Portico™ Concrete Stain Trial Kit to get started. Of course, indoor or outdoor aren’t the only considerations when coloring concrete surfaces. Direct Colors has a ton of options for all-in-one colorants, water-based colorants, integral colorants, and resurfacing kits that fit any and every concrete coloring need. Here’s a brief overview of some of our other products: ColorWave™ Water-Based Concrete Colors: Low VOC and nearly odorless, Direct Colors’ ColorWave™ Concrete Colorant is easy to apply, and safe to use around children, animals, and in your backyard. Vibrant™ Dye: Arriving in powder form, Concrete Dye is mixed with acetone to create a solid, sleek color for your concrete surfaces. Modern and timeless at once, this colorant is perfect for indoor and outdoor projects. DecoGel™: Worried about drips or color running? Want to color a vertical or sloped concrete surface? Look no further, DecoGel™ Concrete Colors are the product for you. Tinted Sealers: Our all-in-one concrete coloring product, Direct Colors’ Tinted Sealers combine concrete colors and sealers to cut the time it takes to complete your project in half. Concrete Pigment: An integral concrete colorant, Direct Colors Concrete Pigment is added to mixed concrete to color it before it’s even poured. Pigment is a pastel, muted color option. Concrete Overlay: Our concrete resurfacing product, Direct Colors’ Concrete Overlay is the perfect choice when resurfacing or repairing small patches of concrete. All of these products are available in DIY Trial Kits so you can try before you buy. Scroll up to check them out!