The weather reports this morning threatened to cancel our concrete pour. This wouldn't have been such a big deal except that 1) all of our guys have the week off to let the concrete set before framing, 2) the whole schedule would stop in it's tracks without the slab in place and 3) the concrete team is busy and hard to schedule and so the delay could impact our schedule badly.

The thunderstorms were mostly predicted to hit around noon- right about the time the floors should be finished- so everyone decided we should just go for it. Thankfully, the weather held out until the evening. We even got some blue skies at just the right time.

The team of six guys was impressive and fast. They never stopped moving while that concrete was flowing. A couple of guys were ankle deep in thick goop while others moved around the edges, working from one end to the other, moving forms and troweling surfaces.

We chose to add integral color to the mix (light gray, which is a bit darker and grayer than the natural gray / beige color). But in order to achieve the depth and variation that we were after, our concrete contractor suggested tossing on some color concrete hardener. This is a cheaper way to add color than acid staining. The looks are similar but not identical. Acid staining has the advantage of being applied later (so floors don't need to be protected as much during construction) but it also has the disadvantage of costing about ten times as much. We like a distressed and vintage look anyway, so we aren't worried about the finished floor getting a little banged up during framing. And, as much we like the shadowy non uniformity that multiple colors adds, acid staining was just not in our budget. So this alternative was the perfect solution.

It will keep changing as it cures. The main concrete color will get lighter as it dries but the added colors will stay the same and so the contrast should get a little a little more dramatic over the next few days. I love how it turned out and I can't wait to see how it progresses!