Umber
What is Umber?
Umber is a controlled raw product from a manganese enriched form of goethite (HFeO2), a naturally occurring inorganic iron oxide. It is a brown earth that is darker in color than ochre because of its manganese and iron oxide content and is highly valued as a permanent pigment either in the raw or burnt state. Umber is inorganic, chemically inert, non-reactive with cement or mortar, nontoxic in powder or granular form.
Umber is mined and processed in Cartersville, Georgia at the only year-round ochre mining and processing operation in the United States. New Riverside Ochre is proud to be a "Made in the USA" Company.
How is Umber Used?
Raw and Burnt Umbers can be used as is to achieve a range of brown colors simply by varying the addition rate. It may also be used as the base for producing a wide range of earth tone colors ranging from red to dark brown.
Umber has proven to be a cost effective colorant in:
- Mortar
- Brick
- Roofing Granules
- Concrete and Concrete Block
- Concrete Pavers & Retaining Walls
- Plastics and Coatings
- Ceramic Roofing and Floor Tiles
- Inks, Paints and Stains
- Caulks and Sealers
Specific applications include:
- Driveways, Patios and Sidewalks
- Pavers and Retaining Walls
- Golf Cart Paths
- Roofing Shingles
- Stamped Concrete
- Parking Areas
- Roofing Tiles
- Floor Tile
Advantages of Umber
- Cost Performance: Economy and versatility are the primary reasons why umber pigments have enjoyed years of success in the pigment industry.
- Economical: Umber is one of the most economical brown colorants available today. Umber based blends repeatedly outperform synthetic iron oxide colors on a regular basis. On jobs ranging from a residential driveway to a 100,000-plus cubic yard drainage canal, umber has been chosen because of its economy and performance quality.
- A "typical" concrete project using Umber for color will cost less than $11.00 per cubic yard of concrete for the color.
- A "typical" concrete project using Umber for color will cost less than $11.00 per cubic yard of concrete for the color.
- Permanence: Because umber is an iron oxide, it is a permanent color. It will not fade or wash out.
- Ease of Use: Umber blends easily and uniformly in both mortar and concrete.
- Custom Colors containing natural iron oxide Ochre and Umber as a base can be formulated to create a new "natural" range of colors.
Packaging Options
Umber products are available in 50 pound bags, super sacks and bulk tankers. Custom packaging is also available.