09
Jan

Colored Concrete (Las Olas project)

Colored concrete refers to concrete that has been mixed with pigments to give it a specific color. This can be done in a number of ways, such as adding the pigment directly to the wet concrete before it is poured, staining the surface of the dried concrete with a colored acid solution, or applying a dry-shake color hardener to the surface of the concrete. Colored concrete is often used for decorative purposes, such as for driveways, patios, and pool decks. It can also be used to match the color of existing buildings or to create visual interest in a landscape.

Using colored concrete in construction can provide a number of benefits, including:

Aesthetic appeal: Colored concrete can add visual interest to a space and can be used to match or complement the surrounding environment.

Durability: Colored concrete is just as durable as plain concrete, and the color is often added to the mix, so it becomes integral to the concrete rather than being applied as a surface treatment. This means that the color is less likely to fade or wear off over time.

Easy maintenance: Colored concrete is easy to clean and maintain, as it does not require painting or staining.

Versatility: Colored concrete can be used in a variety of applications, including flooring, countertops, patios, and driveways.

source: https://luxurylivingfortlauderdale.com/las-olas-tunnel-top-plaza/

Cost-effectiveness: Colored concrete can be a more cost-effective option compared to other materials, such as brick or stone, as it is generally less expensive to install and maintain.

Local contractor from Fort Lauderdale, FL was looking for a solution to the matter of production of colored concrete. Most of the batching plants refused to reprogram their equipment and produce relatively small batches of colored concrete with a number of color variations.

source: https://luxurylivingfortlauderdale.com/las-olas-tunnel-top-plaza/

Carmix seemed like a great solution to this problem. Self loading mixer can produce various volumes of concrete with different mix designs and additives with almost no effort in reprogramming the equipment. The client  rented  Carmix 3500TC for this particular project, since we know this machine will be the best fit for this task. Since we are now just at the beginning stage of the project, we did several test mixes adding 1 bag of powder color per cubic yard of concrete directly into the drum, and we poured several test yards with different colors to get approval from the client. This equipment is a great fit, because it allows contractors to produce the exact amount of concrete needed at the jobsite.

High pressure washer system that comes standard on all Carmix models makes it easy to wash the drum and mix another color in no time. Below are some renderings of this project in Las Olas, we will update this article, upon completion of the project with real pictures.