Concrete patio slabs

jaimel134

Hello,
My new build house had small patio area fitted using 600x600x50mm concrete slabs, council slabs I think they are know as.
I wanted to extend and purchased further slabs from same supplier.
I have laid them but colour difference is noticeable.
Old ones (20 months down) are darker Grey.
Will new ones weather to be the same?
Thanks

Aylesbury_Duck

Only time will tell I'm afraid. Did you not notice the colour difference before you laid them all?

If they don't weather the same, make a few swaps so that there's a random pattern of the light-dark slabs rather than two distinct blocks of different shades. Avoid creating a regular pattern and try and get something genuinely random, with some singles and some clusters of the new type.

jaimel134

Thanks for reply,
The colour difference was only slight, with the new ones being a shade or two lighter but not as noticeable.
The wife then went all guns blazing with the power washer on the weekend and now its a big difference.

EssexExile

I had some slabs replaced & the new ones were very different, a year later you can hardly tell the difference. Don't let the wife pressure wash them too vigorously!

jaimel134

Thanks, Thats what I am hoping for.
Just a long wait then

Furts

There is a possibility your new slabs are not the same specification as those already laid. Council slabs will be hydraulically pressed, DIY slabs can be vibrated concrete, or just poured concrete.

Going to the same supplier after 20 months is no guarantee of the cement being from the same supplier , nor the aggregate being the same colour.

Concrete will tend to lighten with age. Pollution and dirt will then darken up the appearance. But my suggestion is you have purchased unsuitable slabs.