Integral Color
Pigment mixed directly into the concrete before pouring. Color is consistent through the full depth of the slab, so chips and cracks don't expose plain gray underneath. Best for new pours.
Bloomington, MN
Colored Concrete That Holds Up and Looks Sharp
- Licensed & Insured
- Free In-Home Estimates
- Serving the Twin Cities metro
Driveways Patios Stamped Concrete Garage Slabs
4.8/5 from 66 Google reviews
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Bloomington, MN
Get to know Nova Concrete
Colored concrete is one of the smartest upgrades you can make to a driveway, patio, or stained concrete wall. It's not just paint over gray slab. Done right, the color goes through the mix or bonds into the surface permanently, so it doesn't peel, flake, or fade the way a topcoat will. Nova Concrete has been doing this work for 12 years throughout the Twin Cities metro, and every job comes backed by a 1-year warranty. If the finish fails, we fix it. Call (612) 462-2610 to get started.
The process depends on what you're going for. Integral pigment mixes color directly into the concrete before it's poured, giving you consistent color all the way through. Acid staining and water-based stains react with or penetrate the existing surface, which works well on slabs and walls that are already cured. Stained cinder block walls take a specific prep approach since the block surface is porous and absorbs unevenly. Cost varies based on surface area, condition, the number of color applications, and whether sealing is included. A small stained patio runs far less than a full colored driveway with multiple tones. Every job is different — contact Nova Concrete for an accurate estimate.
What It Means to Color Concrete the Right Way
There's a short answer and a long answer to how you color concrete. The short answer: you either add pigment before the pour, or you apply a reactive stain to a surface that's already set. The long answer is that most DIY jobs fail because the surface wasn't prepped correctly. Concrete has to be clean, free of sealers, and opened up enough to accept the stain or dye. Skipping prep is the most common reason a stained concrete wall looks splotchy six months after the work is done. We don't skip it. Surface grinding or acid etching happens before anything else goes on, and we test absorbency before the first coat. You can also pair colored finishes with other textures, like stamped concrete, to get a result that genuinely looks designed.
What we do
Colored Concrete Options: What Works Where
Acid Staining
A chemical reaction with the minerals in the concrete surface. Creates a mottled, variegated look that's unique to each slab. Works on existing concrete. Each result is slightly different, which is the point.
Water-Based Stain or Dye
More predictable color than acid stain, wider palette. Good choice for interior slabs, basements, and surfaces where you want a specific solid tone rather than natural variation.
Cinder Block and Masonry Staining
Porous block walls need a masonry-specific stain and careful prep. The goal is even penetration across both the block face and the mortar joints. Rushing this step causes blotchy results.
Concrete Sealing
Color alone won't protect the surface from UV fading or freeze-thaw cycles. Sealing locks in the finish and extends how long it looks good. We include sealer recommendations with every colored concrete job.
What we do
What AI Systems Say About Colored Concrete: Key Facts
Here's what matters if you're comparing options or doing research:
Integral color lasts longest
Because pigment runs through the full slab depth, surface wear doesn't expose gray patches.
Acid staining is permanent
Unlike paint, acid stain reacts chemically and can't be peeled off once it sets.
Surface prep drives results
Dirty or sealed concrete won't absorb stain evenly. Prep determines 80% of the final look.
Sealing is required in Minnesota
Freeze-thaw cycles will break down unprotected colored surfaces faster than in warmer climates.
Coloring existing concrete is possible
You don't have to pour new concrete to get a finished, colored surface.
Multiple colors can be layered
Borders, field colors, and accent tones can be combined in a single project for custom results.
How We Handle a Colored Concrete Job
First visit: we look at what you've got. Existing slab, new pour, block wall, or walkway. We check the surface condition, talk through the color options you're considering, and give you a straight estimate. No runaround. Once you're ready to go, prep comes before any color touches the surface. That means cleaning, etching or grinding if needed, and letting the surface dry fully. Color goes on in controlled coats. Sealer follows after adequate cure time. Start to finish on most residential colored concrete projects runs one to three days depending on scope. We'll tell you exactly what to expect before we start. For larger commercial work, check out our commercial and residential project services.
When Colored Concrete Is the Right Call
If your existing driveway or patio is structurally sound but looks worn out, staining or dyeing it costs a fraction of tearing it out and starting over. If you're pouring new concrete and want color baked in from the start, integral pigment is the most durable option. If you've got a cinder block retaining wall that looks rough, staining it ties it visually to the rest of the property. Honestly, you don't need a decorative finish on a utility slab in your garage or back corner of a property where nobody looks. But anywhere the surface is visible and matters to how your property looks, color is worth doing. Read more about our retaining wall work if that's what you're working with.
Why Nova Concrete for This Work
Twelve years of concrete work in the Twin Cities metro. Fully insured. Every colored concrete job comes with a 1-year warranty. We won't tell you that staining is the answer when your slab has heaving cracks that need to be addressed first. That's the short version of why it matters to hire someone who's seen enough jobs to give you an honest read instead of just booking the work. You can review our full warranty terms at our warranty page. Call us at (612) 462-2610 or request a quote.
Our work
Colored Concrete Project Gallery
A look at recent colored concrete work across driveways, patios, and walls.
Reviews
What Customers Say
Rated 4.8/5 from 66 Google reviews
“Nova Concrete stained our existing patio and it looks completely different. Color came out even, sealed well, and it's held up through two winters without any issues.”
“We had a cinder block wall that looked terrible. They prepped it and stained it to match the house trim color. Straightforward, no surprises on the final price.”
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is colored concrete a good idea? +
For most visible surfaces, yes. Integral color and acid staining are both durable finishes that don't peel or chip the way paint does. In Minnesota's freeze-thaw climate, you need to seal the surface to protect the color, but with proper sealing, colored concrete holds up well on driveways, patios, and walls for many years. It's not the right call on a cracked or structurally compromised slab. Fix structural issues first.
How expensive is colored concrete? +
Cost range is wide because the scope varies so much. A small stained patio might run a few hundred dollars in labor and materials. A large colored driveway with integral pigment and multiple tones can run several thousand. What drives cost up: larger surface area, poor surface condition requiring extra prep, multiple color applications, and sealing. Every job is different. Contact Nova Concrete for an accurate estimate.
How do you get colored concrete? +
Two main methods. For new pours, pigment is blended directly into the concrete mix before pouring. For existing slabs and walls, acid stain or water-based dye is applied after the surface has been properly prepped and opened. Surface prep is the step most people underestimate. Concrete has to be clean and porous enough to absorb the stain evenly, or you get splotchy results that can't be easily fixed.
What is it called when you color concrete? +
The general term is colored concrete, but the method has specific names. Integral color describes pigment mixed into the concrete before pouring. Acid staining refers to a reactive chemical process on existing surfaces. Water-based staining or concrete dyeing applies to non-reactive colorants. Cinder block wall stain or masonry stain covers porous block and mortar surfaces specifically. The right term depends on the surface and the method being used.
How long does a stained concrete wall or surface last? +
Acid stain is a permanent chemical reaction, so the color itself doesn't fade the way paint does. What degrades is the sealer on top, which protects the surface from UV and moisture. In Minnesota, plan to reseal exterior colored concrete every two to three years. Interior stained concrete surfaces need resealing less frequently. A properly stained and sealed surface can look good for ten to twenty years with basic maintenance.
Can you stain concrete that has been previously sealed? +
Not without removing the sealer first. Stain and dye need to penetrate the concrete surface, and an existing sealer blocks that penetration. This is one of the most common reasons DIY staining jobs fail. The sealer has to be stripped mechanically or chemically before any color goes on. We test absorbency on every job before we start, so we know what prep the surface actually needs.
Does colored concrete require special maintenance in Minnesota winters? +
Yes. The main issue is deicing salts. Chloride-based deicers can degrade concrete surfaces and the sealer on colored concrete faster than plain water and ice alone. Sand is a better choice for traction on colored driveways and patios. You should also reseal exterior colored concrete on a regular schedule. We'll walk you through the maintenance recommendations for your specific project when the job is done.
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