YOUR LOCAL CONCRETING PARTNERColoured Concrete Perth
Coloured concrete is standard grey concrete with one important upgrade: oxide pigment mixed through during the concrete batching process, effectively colouring the concrete. The result is that does not require repainting, does not chip away or grey underneath. Coloured concrete is decorative in its aesthetic but comes at a price slightly higher than grey due to the oxides and additional precautions required during laying. It is a fully decorative finish such as exposed aggregate or honed concrete by providing a visual upgrade from grey for a more affordable price. At Colacrete we have poured coloured concrete driveways, pathways, alfrescos, patios, porches, outdoor living spaces, etc. Our suppliers Boral, WA Premix, Heideldberg/Hanson, and Limecrete all have an extensive range of custom oxide colours. Its up to you which to choose and we will organise the rest.
What is coloured concrete? Coloured concrete is manufactured by adding iron oxide pigments to the concrete batching process before delivery to your site. The pigment evenly disperses through the concrete mix so that the concrete is coloured through its entirety; not just the surface. This is what distinguishes coloured concrete from surface applied paints, stains or powdered finishes, so you are left with a sturdy coloured product that wont peel or wear away over time.
The surface finishes that can be applied are the same as grey concrete, i.e. broom or brushed finish, textured finishes such as the sponge or pan float, no skid finishes or smooth trowel finishes such as seen in garages and slabs. It can also be combined with other decorative finishes such as exposed aggregate to enhance and intensify the overall palette.
Due to the UV stability of oxide pigments and inorganic properties, the colour will not fade significantly over time with regular exposure and given Perth’s intense UV this is a common concern and one of the perks that integral oxide colour can provide over surface applied alternatives.
Popular colour options in Perth
Oxide pigments can produce a wide spectrum of colours. The most commonly chosen in the Perth market:
Charcoal / slate grey: Modern and contemporary homes, dark facades, black-and-white exteriors
Sandstone / buff: Neutral, versatile — suits brick, render and limestone homes equally well
Terracotta / red oxide: Traditional homes, red-brick properties, warmer architectural palettes
Cream / off-white: Coastal and Hamptons-style homes, light rendered exteriors
Mid-grey: Coastal and Hamptons-style homes, light rendered exteriors
Custom blends: Mixed to match existing materials — brickwork, render, coping tiles
We work with a wide variety of concrete suppliers such as Boral, WA Premix, Heidelberg Materials/Hanson and Limecrete. All these suppliers have a wide range of colours to match your selections. Whether you are trying to match an existing material, a render colour, brick tone, or overall colour palette to fit your exterior / interior designs, our suppliers can assist you in matching the colour to your vision. Keep it simple, send a sample through and we will work with our suppliers to get it right for you however bear in mind that given concrete is a natural product the colour can always vary between batches, within the same batch, or at any point based on many factors that is difficult to control. We always recommend seeing a poured sample before committing to a final custom blend.
Why choose coloured concrete in Perth?
MODEST PRICE PREMIUM: Coloured concrete is a meaningful visual upgrade at a modest price premium compared to standard grey concrete. It costs more per square meter than standard grey, but it is a relatively small addition to the overall job cost for a result that visually transforms the finished surface. It is not as pricey as other decorative finishes such as exposed aggregate, honed concrete or polished concrete, but still offers an aesthetic upgrade than standard grey concrete.
COLOUR THROUGHOUT: The colour goes all the way through. Because the oxide is mixed into the concrete before pouring, the colour runs through the full depth of the slab. A chip, a crack repair, or a saw-cut control joint won't expose grey concrete underneath — the colour is consistent throughout. This is a significant durability advantage over surface paint or stain.
UV STABLE IN PERTH’S CLIMATE: Iron oxide pigments are inorganic and highly UV-resistant. They won't fade significantly under Perth's intense sun the way organic dyes or surface paints will. The colour you pour is broadly the colour you keep — with some natural weathering and lightening over many years, which most homeowners find attractive rather than problematic.
LOW MAINTENANCE: Coloured concrete needs no more maintenance than standard grey. An optional penetrating sealer (recommended for driveways) improves stain resistance and deepens the colour slightly. No repainting, no colour touch-ups, no special cleaning products required.
VERSATILE: Coloured concrete suits driveways, crossovers, footpaths, outdoor entertaining areas, pool surrounds and slabs. The only applications where it's typically not used are structural or hidden slabs — house slabs under floor coverings, shed pads, footings — where the colour serves no purpose.
DESIGN OPTIONS: Coloured concrete can be combined with other decorative finishes. Coloured concrete isn't limited to a plain broom finish. It can be used as the base for exposed aggregate (giving the concrete matrix beneath the stones a richer colour), or finished with a light texture or stamp. It opens up design options that plain grey doesn't.
Where standard grey concrete is most often used in Perth
Driveways and crossovers — the most common application; a charcoal or sandstone driveway makes a strong street-presence statement at a fraction of the cost of exposed aggregate
Footpaths and garden pathways — adds visual interest to paths without the cost of a decorative finish
Outdoor entertaining areas and patios — ties the concrete to the home's colour palette
Pool surrounds — lighter colours (cream, sandstone) stay cooler underfoot in summer
Crossovers and verge sections — matches the driveway colour for a consistent entry
FAQ
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Iron oxide pigments are UV-stable and won't fade significantly. Some natural weathering and very gradual lightening occurs over many years — this is normal and generally gives the concrete a pleasant, settled appearance rather than a deteriorated one. Sealing and periodic resealing (every 5 years) is the single best thing you can do to preserve the colour's depth and intensity.
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Coloured concrete typically sits $20–40 per square metre above the equivalent standard grey concrete job, depending on the colour and the supplier's oxide pricing. Indicative ranges are between $105 to $180 per square metre. We price based on a project-by-project basis, and is subject to site access, site preparation requirements, the size of the area, the reinforcement requirements, material selection etc. Smaller jobs are often on the higher end of the sqm rate. For a precise quote, get in touch with us. We usually provide our prices within 24 to 48 hours, and can quote based on drawings and specs, or can come out to site and do a free measure and quote.
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We can get close in most cases. Bring a sample — a brick, a render chip, a colour swatch — to the quote and we'll work with our suppliers to find the closest available oxide blend. A poured sample is always advisable before committing to a custom mix, as concrete colour shifts as it cures and dries, and the wet colour is darker than the cured result.
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Coloured concrete has oxide pigment mixed through the entire slab — the colour is integral to the material. Concrete paint sits on the surface and can peel, blister, and wear away, particularly under vehicle traffic and Perth's UV. Integral colour is a permanent, low-maintenance solution; paint is a temporary cosmetic fix. We don't recommend concrete paint for driveways or high-traffic areas.
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Yes — coloured concrete and exposed aggregate can be combined. The base concrete is tinted with oxide before pouring, and the aggregate is then exposed in the usual way. The coloured concrete matrix shows between and beneath the stones, enriching the overall palette. This works particularly well for warmer tones (terracotta, sandstone) where you want the full depth of colour throughout the finish.
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This is the main limitation of coloured concrete — matching colour across separate pours is difficult. Concrete colour varies between batches and shifts as it cures, so an exact match to an existing pour is rarely achievable. A close match is usually possible, but the join will typically be visible on close inspection. This is true of all concrete, coloured or plain — it's simply more noticeable with a tinted surface.
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Sealing isn't mandatory, but it's strongly recommended for driveways and outdoor areas. A penetrating sealer deepens the oxide colour, protects against oil and stain penetration, and helps maintain the surface long-term. For pool surrounds, use a pool-rated sealer. Resealing every 5 years is the standard maintenance schedule.
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Sealing isn't mandatory, but it's strongly recommended for driveways and outdoor areas. A penetrating sealer deepens the oxide colour, protects against oil and stain penetration, and helps maintain the surface long-term. For pool surrounds, use a pool-rated sealer. Resealing every 5 years is the standard maintenance schedule.
Testimonials
Why work with COLACRETE?
We're a Perth-based concreting business with a family lineage in the trade going back to the 1990s, owner-operated by Eddie Colakovic — a hands-on concreter with an engineering background who's worked on major projects with John Holland, Downer and CBH. Members of the Housing Industry Association (HIA), Master Builders Association (MBA) and Concrete Institute of Australia (CIA).
You might also be interested in our exposed aggregate page (the step up from coloured concrete in decorative finish), our standard grey concrete page, our concrete driveways and crossovers page (which covers all finish options side by side), or our wider range of Perth concreting services.
Contact us today to discuss your coloured concrete project.
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