How to pick concrete color and release color?

Question:I am going to have stamped concrete for my backyard. I am not sure about the color. The contractor says the release color needs to be darker than the concrete color, but I like clean look. I have picked the Brown for the concrete, but I am not sure about the release color.

Answers:
A lot depends on the look you're trying to achieve. One of the advantages of stamped concrete is that it can mimic so many other more-expensive building materials.

Having a release color different than the concrete helps to achieve a more natural look when you're trying to emulate materials like flagstone or other stones. If you just use a single concrete color and it is mixed in the truck, most people think the resulting concrete looks rather flat and unnatural because it's all the same color, as if the color had been painted on, without shading. Using a second color for the release adds just enough variation to make the surface look pleasing and highlight the texture.

Take your cue from the stamping pattern you're having the contractor use for the surface of the concrete, and perhaps go with something that looks good with the pattern. Most stamped concrete looks better with a darker release color.

For example, take a look at the samples here. http://www.matcrete.com/ Now imagine if each of those brick or stone looks was done in a single, flat color. You wouldn't see the definition of the stamped pattern at all.

If you don't want to have a second color for the release, then you might consider having just colored concrete with a smooth or broom finish, without having it stamped.

My suggestion would be to not spend the money on having the stamping done if you're not going to highlight the stamped result with a second color. Save the money and go with a smooth or broom finish surface.

http://www.matcrete.com/cobblestone.asp...
Look at the Portugal Fan, second row on the right. Now click on the Portugal Fan picture to see what it looks like in a single color. Now, I know nobody would ever use this pattern on bright red concrete without a color release. The point I'm making is that I want you to see how flat and unappealing it looks. There's no contrast between the supposed surface of the cobblestones and the mortar.

When you look at a real cobblestone, brick, or stone (not stamped concrete), there are real variations in the color. You really need a colored release to make the stamped concrete look like anything other than a flat layer of paint over the surface.