How To Make Concrete Stepping Stones
THE STEPS TO A FATHER’S HEART (GO THROUGH THE BACKYARD)
It’s a good bet that the hardware store is the first store you think of when buying a Father’s Day gift. But for a dad who has all the screwdriver sets he can handle, why not give something that not only lasts a lifetime, but gets the family to spend the day together too?
Concrete stepping stones are a practical and decorative purchase that easily develop the character and value of your property. Yet many people do not realize how easy it is to make them at home. Rather than buying expensive concrete pavers from a store, producing concrete stepping stones as a Father’s Day project not only saves money but encourages collaboration and memory making—while clearly standing out as a more thoughtful gift than another toolset or tie!
In Great Form!
Forms or molds may be readily purchased from a hardware supplier, or made at home using common materials. Whether you buy your forms from a manufacturer or make them yourselves, choose a size that you feel works best for the scope of project you have in mind.
Add a Pop of Color to Your Garden Stepping Stones
The most common way to color concrete stepping stones is by integrally coloring it using concrete pigment. Direct Colors Concrete pigment easily mixes in with your mortar mix and produces evenly-colored stones that pop right out of your custom mold. Solid colors are a great option when constructing a patio or walkway to fit the theme of an existing yard.
For a more personalized look, the surface of concrete stones may be further enhanced with concrete acid stain, antiquing stain or add a deeper color with a tinted concrete sealer—these works with both plain and integrally colored concrete stepping stones.
Mixing Tips For Making Stepping Stones
Thoroughly mix the pigment into the dry concrete before adding water. If you’re batching concrete, always use the same amount of pigment, concrete mix and water for every batch to ensure a consistent color.
For best results, spray your molds or forms with Concrete Liquid Release Agent to ensure a clean release when the concrete is fully cured—the same is true for regular gray or white-based concrete.
The most common way to color concrete stepping stones is by integrally coloring it using concrete pigment. Direct Colors concrete pigment easily mixes in with your mortar mix and produces evenly-colored stones that pop right out of your custom mold. Solid colors are a great option when constructing a patio or walkway to fit the theme of an existing yard.
For a more personalized look, the surface of concrete stones may be further enhanced with concrete acid stain, antiquing stain or add a deeper color with a tinted concrete sealer—these works with both plain and integrally colored concrete stepping stones.
Stain Concrete Stepping Stones
Whether your custom stepping stones are intended for landscaping, garden beds, pathways or patios, Direct Colors concrete coloring product line helps your family take whatever creative direction they wish. Concrete stones may be colored to fit an outdoor common area, or highly decorated as décor depending on function and aesthetic expectations. For a Father’s Day touch that no store-bought gift can match, try having the whole family make a Decor Monument or “time-capsule” that lives on in your yard for years to come.
- Use Deco Gel Stains for controlled design. Gelled acid stains have the consistency of oil paints, so use artist’s brushes to create monograms, images or any design honoring Dad!
- Use Concrete Acid Stain for dreamy color that has natural variation and movement. Spray, paint or dip the stones into acid stain to color them.
Another option for quick and efficient coloring of concrete stones is our tinted concrete sealer, which comes in a variety of colors, used to create patterns ranging from light to dark. Direct Colors Tinted Concrete Sealer is available in 3 finishes and over Over 35 colors. We’ve got plenty of Design Ideas to get you started for the summer season. For best results, apply a clear coat of sealer on top of the tinted sealer for greater durability and longevity.
