There is no single price for concrete oxide colour in Kenya. The price per kilogram depends on the colour, the quality range, the pack size, how much you buy and how it is delivered. This guide explains each of those, so you can ask for a quote that gets a straight answer and compare two quotes fairly.
The short answer
Search for oxide prices in Kenya and you will find small packs for home use and for colouring a single floor. A paving block yard, a precast plant or a paint maker buys by the sack and needs a quote that fits its mix.
Thika Wax Works supplies oxide powders in 25 kg sacks and in 12 x 1 kg packs, across budget, mid-range and high-end ranges. The price depends on the seven things below.
Price factors
Why one oxide costs more than another
Two oxides can look the same in the bag and give very different colour in the finished concrete. These are the things that change the price, and what to tell your supplier about each.
| What changes the price | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Colour | Some colours cost more than others, and strong, bright colours often need more pigment to reach the shade you want. |
| Quality range | We supply budget, mid-range and high-end oxides to suit different budgets and different standards of colour work. The higher the range, the higher the price. |
| What you are colouring (the scope of the job) | Paving blocks, precast products, floors, walls, plaster, paint and cladding each need a different amount and quality of pigment. |
| Pack size | Oxide comes in 25 kg sacks and in 12 x 1 kg packs. The bigger sack is cheaper per kg, and the small packs suit trials and smaller jobs. |
| Volume and how often you order | A one-off sack costs more per kg than a standing monthly order. Say how many sacks you expect to use each month. |
| How long you will buy for | A trial order and a six-month or twelve-month supply are quoted differently. A longer commitment usually gives you a steadier price. |
| Delivery | Thika, Nairobi, upcountry and export orders have different delivery costs. Always compare prices with delivery included. |
Cost per block
Price per kg is not what you actually pay
The cost that matters is the cost of pigment in each block, square metre of floor or batch of paint. That depends on how much pigment it takes to reach your colour, not only on the price of the sack.
Use this simple sum:
Cost of pigment per block = price per kg ÷ 1,000 × grams of pigment in each block
Here is an example with round numbers, to show the arithmetic. These are not our prices. A yard makes 10,000 blocks and uses 20 g of pigment in each. That is 200 kg of oxide, or 8 sacks of 25 kg. Now suppose oxide A costs 10% more per kg than oxide B, but it is stronger and you need 25% less of it to reach the same shade. Oxide A is then the cheaper oxide to use, even though its sack costs more.
A cheaper oxide can also cost you in other ways. If the colour is patchy or fades in the sun, you pay for rejected blocks and unhappy customers. An oxide with good UV resistance and consistent colour keeps the batches matching.
Comparing quotes
How to compare two quotes fairly
- Ask for the price per kg and per sack, and check the pack size and colour are the same.
- Check that delivery is included in both quotes.
- Ask which range is quoted, budget, mid-range or high-end, and how much to add to your mix. A cheaper oxide may need more pigment to reach the same colour.
- Ask for a sample you can test in a trial batch before you commit to a bulk order.
- Ask how long the price holds and what the payment terms are.
Get a quote
What to tell us to get a fast, accurate quote
You do not need to know the range. Send us these details and we will recommend one:
- What you are colouring, for example paving blocks, precast products, floors, walls, plaster or paint.
- The colour you need, and a sample or a photo if you have one.
- How much concrete or product you make in a day or a month.
- How many 25 kg sacks or 1 kg packs you expect to need each month.
- Where we should deliver, and when you want to start.
- How long you plan to buy for: a trial, six months or a year.
See our oxide and concrete colours range for what we supply, or ask for a quote.
Applications
Where our oxides are used
Our oxide powders are used in decorative concrete floors, driveways and pathways, concrete walls and facades, precast blocks, pavers and tiles, oxide-based paints and plasters, and architectural cladding. They blend easily into the mix, resist UV and weather, and have a shelf life of two years.
To go deeper, read our guides on oxide colours for paving blocks and how to use concrete oxides for coloured floors.
FAQ
Your questions answered
How much does concrete oxide cost per kg in Kenya?
It depends on the colour, the quality range, the pack size and your monthly volume. Oxides are quoted per kg or per sack, so the best way to get a real figure is to send us what you are colouring and how much you use.
How much oxide do I add to concrete?
It depends on the shade you want and the type of oxide. Follow the data sheet for the oxide you buy, and test a small batch first.
What colours do you supply?
We supply a wide range of oxide colours. Tell us the colour you need, or send a sample or photo, and we will match it to the closest oxide.
What is the difference between budget, mid-range and high-end oxide?
The ranges are made to suit different budgets and different standards of colour work. Budget ranges cost less per kg, and higher ranges cost more. Tell us the colour and finish you need and we will recommend one.
Will oxide colour fade in the sun?
Our oxides are made to resist UV and weather, which keeps the colour strong outdoors. Results depend on the oxide, the mix and how the concrete is finished.
What pack sizes do you supply?
We supply 25 kg sacks and 12 x 1 kg packs.
What else can I use oxide for?
Oxide is used to tint concrete, mortar and plaster, and as a pigment in paints, renders and cladding.
Can I get a sample?
Yes. Tell us the colour and what you are making, and ask for a sample to test in a trial batch before you order in bulk.
Get a price for your mix
Send us what you are colouring, the shade you want and your monthly volume. We will recommend a range and quote for it.
Akshay Chandaria is the Sales Director at Thika Wax Works Limited, a manufacturer of industrial waxes, hot melt and cold glue adhesives, floor polishes, cleaning products and construction chemicals for businesses across Kenya.
