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Learn more about the benefits of coloring your concrete driveway and get answers to frequently asked questions.
Posted 11/21/2025
A driveway is one of the first things people notice about a home, and its appearance can set the tone for the entire property. Adding color is one of the most effective ways and cost effective to elevate a plain concrete driveway—creating a decorative concrete surface that looks attractive and uniquely matched to its surroundings.
Adding color to concrete does more than change its shade—it completely transforms the look and feel of a driveway. Here’s why a colored concrete driveway is a great option:
Pro Tip: Ensure the colored concrete you invest in lasts by using fiber reinforcement like UltraFiber 500. It drastically reduces the chance of surface cracking and provides extra strength to withstand years of heavy traffic. Plus, UF500 is the only fiber that readily absorbs decorative colors for concrete and results in a smooth, clean finish.
What is the best color for a concrete driveway? It depends on your home’s style, the surrounding landscape, and the overall look you want to achieve. Still, several shades consistently rise to the top when it comes to driveway colors because they’re versatile, timeless, and easy to pair with other exterior colors.
Grays remain one of the most popular choices because they work with a wide range of architectural styles.
Earth tones such as browns, tans, and beiges blend naturally with surrounding softscapes and hardscapes. These warm hues work especially well when you want a driveway that complements stonework, brick, or natural landscaping.
Rich reds can introduce warmth to a driveway. While often used in lively outdoor areas, they can also give residential driveways a distinctive, inviting appearance when paired with the right architectural style.
To narrow down your color choices, walk or drive through local neighborhoods and pay attention to concrete driveway colors on other properties. What looks good? What do you like? What do you dislike?
Did you Know? Need a custom color or a perfect match? The color lab at Solomon Colors is staffed with experts who specialize in color matching and quality control, so every batch meets your exact specs.
There are several methods for coloring concrete, but integral color is one of the most common. Integral coloring involves adding pigment directly into the concrete mix before placement, tinting the entire batch. This gives contractors an efficient way to achieve consistent color while avoiding extra steps during finishing. Learn more about using integral color.
Other coloring options include:
The difference is that integral color and color hardeners are used when concrete is newly poured, while concrete staining and dyeing can be applied to existing driveways.
No matter the method, always ask for a mockup before the main pour:
“A test pour gives you a chance to see exactly how the mix, pigment, admixtures, and finish will come together—before you commit to the full slab. It’s a small investment that can prevent a big problem.”
— Keith Boudart, Product Specialist at Solomon Colors
Get answers to some common questions about colored concrete driveways.
Colored concrete pairs well with a variety of decorative treatments, allowing you to create a truly customized driveway.
The best choice depends on your climate, aesthetic preferences, and maintenance expectations.
Ultimately, choosing between light and dark shades comes down to the look you want and how you expect the surface to perform in your environment.
Integral color tints the entire concrete mix, giving a new concrete driveway a consistent color throughout. Color hardeners strengthen and color only the surface during finishing. Some contractors use both to get a more customized look. Learn more: Color Hardener vs Integral Color.
When installed and maintained properly, colored concrete can last for several decades—just as long as traditional gray concrete. Its longevity depends on factors such as installation quality, the type of coloring products used, climate conditions, and how well the surface is cared for over time.
If you’re pouring a new concrete driveway, using a reinforcement fiber, like UF500 will greatly strengthen your surface and significantly reduce the likelihood of cracking.
Yes, you can color an existing concrete driveway by using stains, dyes or coatings.
Routine maintenance—such as keeping the driveway clean, resealing the surface as needed, and avoiding harsh chemicals or heavy impact—helps preserve the color and protect the concrete underneath. With the right upkeep, a colored driveway can remain vibrant and durable for many years.
When high-quality coloring products are used and the surface is properly maintained, colored concrete should remain vibrant for many years. Integral coloring systems, such as those made with UV-stable iron oxide pigments like Solomon Colors’ integral coloring system, are designed to resist fading and won’t wash out over time. We always recommend sealing your driveway to protect the color from stains, tire marks and other issues.
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