What are the pros and cons of coloured concrete in New Brunswick?

Coloured concrete adds significant visual appeal to NB driveways, patios, steps, and porches — but colour in an NB climate comes with maintenance realities that homeowners should understand before committing to it. Both integral colour (pigment added to the mix) and surface-applied colour hardener are viable options, and they behave quite differently over time.

Integral colour — pigment added directly to the concrete mix — is the more durable option for NB. Because the colour goes through the full depth of the slab, chips and surface wear expose the same colour rather than grey concrete beneath. The pigment is iron oxide-based, which is highly stable and UV-resistant. Integral colour costs $3 to $6 per square foot additional over a standard finish and is available in a practical range of earth tones (tans, buffs, terracotta, browns, grey-blues). True bright colours (fire engine red, bright yellow) are difficult to achieve with concrete and tend to fade significantly. Stay with earth tones and you will be much happier with how integral colour ages in NB.

Colour hardener is a dry shake powder broadcast onto the surface of freshly poured concrete and worked into the top 1/8 to 1/4 inch. It produces more vibrant, consistent colour than integral pigment and is the standard for stamped concrete. The trade-off is that it is a surface treatment — scratches, chips, and wear will expose the grey concrete beneath. In NB, shovelling snow, sand spread for traction, and vehicle traffic all contribute to surface abrasion that will eventually show through colour hardener without a maintained sealer.

Fading is the most common complaint with coloured concrete in NB. UV exposure fades surface colour over time, especially south and west-facing surfaces that get maximum sun. Salt contact accelerates colour leaching. An acrylic or polyurethane sealer (reapplied every 1 to 2 years in NB conditions) dramatically slows fading and maintains the vibrancy of the colour. Unsealed coloured concrete in NB will look noticeably faded within 3 to 5 years.

Pros of coloured concrete in NB:

• Enhances curb appeal significantly


• Complements home exterior, landscaping, and stone features


• Can distinguish your driveway, patio, or walkway from typical grey concrete


• Integral colour adds no maintenance beyond standard sealing


• Increases perceived property value

Cons of coloured concrete in NB:

• Requires sealer maintenance to maintain appearance


• Surface-applied colour hardener is susceptible to wear


• Colour is difficult to match exactly for future patch repairs


• Bright or saturated colours fade significantly in NB's UV and freeze-thaw conditions


• Adds $3 to $8 per square foot to project cost

For an NB home, earth tones with integral colour plus a quality siloxane or polyurethane sealer is the formula for coloured concrete that holds up well and ages gracefully. Talk to a decorative concrete contractor in your area — New Brunswick Concrete can make that connection for free.