Finish · Integral Colour
Colour through the slab, not on top.
Integral coloured concrete using full-depth oxide pigments — Geostone, Boral Colori, CCS, Ablestone by Metromix and Heidelberg Imagecrete ranges. The colour goes through the entire pour, so wear and chips don't reveal grey beneath. Browse the Colour Library for the full range.
How it works
Integral coloured concrete is pigmented at the batching plant — iron oxide and other mineral pigments are added to the mix in a precise ratio, typically 2–5% of the cement weight. The colour is consistent through the full depth of the slab, not just a surface treatment.
This matters because: (a) wear, chips, drilling and saw cuts don't reveal grey concrete beneath, (b) the colour is permanent — it doesn't fade with UV exposure like surface stains do, (c) future repairs match because the same mix can be re-ordered.
Supplier ranges we work with
- CCS (Concrete Colour Systems). Australian-made integral pigments. Wide range of natural and saturated colours. Standard for premium residential.
- Geostone. Boutique Sydney range, refined colour palette aimed at architectural projects. Mineral pigments and selected aggregates pre-blended.
- Boral coloured concrete. Large-scale supplier with standard colour catalogue. Good for commercial and high-volume residential.
- Ablestone by Metromix. Designer concrete blended to order at Sydney plants — near-unlimited combinations, with mini-truck delivery for tight sites.
- Heidelberg colour ranges. Available through their Sydney plants — competitive on volume.
See our full Colour Library for individual swatches and supplier notes.
Standards we work to
- AS 3600 — Concrete
- Pigment dosing per AS/NZS 4671
From our sites
Common questions
How does it compare to surface staining?
Integral colour is permanent and goes through the full depth. Surface stains penetrate only a few millimetres — vulnerable to wear, fading and inconsistent application. We use integral colour almost exclusively.
Can colours match perfectly batch to batch?
Very close, but not perfectly — pigment dosing varies slightly, and the aggregate base shows through. For matched-colour repairs, we order from the same plant where possible.
What's the price premium over plain concrete?
Typically 20–40% premium per m² depending on colour intensity. Saturated reds and blacks cost more (higher pigment load) than soft creams and beiges.