Concrete is gray because of the cement powder used to make the concrete. Regular portland cement is gray because of the level of iron, iron oxide, and other metals and imperfections in it. These components are introduced during the manufacturing of the portland cement. Iron ore is black and when mixed with all the other cement ingredients and processes, the finished cement powder is gray.

Cement powder can actually be gray or white. White cement has not had any iron ore or iron oxide used in the manufacturing process. But regular, general-use portland cement is gray and it is hard to make it not gray. Even when adding other aggregates such as sand (which is quite brown) and gravel, it stays gray throughout mixing, curing and when fully finished. You can change the color of concrete with a few different methods including integral colors in the concrete mix, painting the finished product, acid staining and more.

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