I would like to know how to permanetly colour loose sand or fine aggregate for use externally. Thank you?

Question

I want to expand my aluminium roofing company to include stone coated roofing products.

Answer 1

With all due respect, SAND is essentially glass; certainly in similar composition. "Permanent" is "relative".

Obviously we can see colored GRIT in asphalt shingles, etc.

It may well be worth your time to research the aggragates, and GRIT more porous and accepting of actually being Dyed. Consider checking out the substance of what Aquarium gravel is composed of. Much of it is dyed and has to be non toxic to fish, especially in that it cannot leach it's color or the dye substance.

Also and perhaps depending on where you are; natural color variations in sands and aggragates might be an option. Availability is as much an issue; but Natural, could be the usually accepted color; a Rose color; even Black.

Answer 2

Hi...don't know if this will help, but I put in a patio last summer and wanted to color the cement. I went to Home Depot and purchased a tint to mix with my cement. I know you said sand, but perhaps this item would work on it too. Just a thought.

Answer 3

I agree with the gentleman who noted concrete dye. Buy the color that you want from Lowes or Home Depot and then mix with water , then you want to apply to your sand in a tumbler. Or if you have a skid steer loader, or backhoe ect. then apply to sand in stockpyle and then wettin and turn over and over till color is throughout.