Can natural flooring be colored?
We're accustomed to black and gray roads simply because we're surrounded by asphalt and concrete. Yet the world is full of colors, and even roads can appear different. This isn't a problem at all for natural pavements , which can accommodate different colors and hues , perfectly blending into their surroundings. Coloring natural pavement , in short, is possible. And the good news is that it can be done without using environmentally harmful chemicals. Nature is so rich in hues that you don't have to look far to find colors suitable for the purpose.
Coloring natural flooring: the different options
As we've seen, it's easy to color natural flooring . But what are the best methods ? There are two main approaches, all while respecting the environment. You can use a local aggregate , perfect for matching the colors of the area where the surface is located, or, alternatively, add natural pigments based on mineral oxides or clays to the building materials. Let's delve deeper and then look at some practical examples.
Coloring with local soils and aggregates
The color of a road surface or natural pavement depends essentially on the type of material used. In certain situations, landscape restrictions require respecting the local colors, so as not to distort the landscape. In this case, it is possible to work with locally sourced soils and aggregates which, when mixed with natural and eco-friendly binders, stabilizers, and additives, allow for shades that blend perfectly with the surrounding environment.
Coloring with natural pigments
As mentioned, natural pigments , or shades gifted directly from our planet, can also be used to color natural flooring . For example, yellow and red earths, composed of mineral oxides, are often used for flooring and walkable surfaces , but they aren't the only options for coloring flooring, as other types of pigments are also available.
Coloring natural flooring: some examples
But what does a colored natural pavement look like ? It's important to note, of course, that pigments and aggregates don't alter the mechanical characteristics of the road; on the contrary, the effect is purely aesthetic and often tied to the aforementioned landscape restrictions. Below, we show you some of the work done by Terra Solida , which also creates roads and pavements in specific colors.
Santacittarama Buddhist Monastery
Terra Solida also designed the flooring for the first Theravada monastery in Italy . The use of eco-friendly materials, in keeping with the surrounding environment, was combined with the use of natural Oxicolor pigments , which created a yellow hue that complemented the local residential units.
In short, this is to say that nature provides all the color we need: from earth to aggregates and even naturally derived pigments, it is clear that coloring natural flooring is not only possible, but also highly desirable!
