Stamping concrete offers value improvement to turn plain traditional concrete driveway, walkways, patios, outdoor floors, countertops or malls into virtually any color, texture and pattern. Concrete stamps are pressed into laid color concrete to give beautiful impressions. With stamped concrete, your imagination and creativity is your limit. Stamped concrete is now chosen for all types of projects because of its reduced costs, appealing aesthetics, final product choice and easy maintenance. There are many different colors, patterns and styles to choose from, blue to green to red and stone to brick to wood texture and it is this range of options and customization that has made stamped concrete so popular with homeowners and designers.
This process of stamping concrete is not new; in fact it has been around since the early 1950’s. It was in the 1970’s that concrete contractors first began to notice the big benefits in stamping concrete for clients. Besides customizability, it was affordable and there was no need to compromise on durability. But back in the day the products and designs available were still incredibly limited. Not so today!
Once the color and pattern has been chosen, the process of preparing the surface where the concrete has to be poured must begin. It has to be reinforced with metal or wood to protect against cracks or breaks. Then once the concrete is poured, it is colored and then stamped. The stamping process has to be done quickly, before the concrete solidifies. Just like regular concrete, it has to then be cured, joints need to be installed and a sealer has to be used to protect against wear and tear and harsh weather elements
Benefits Of Using Stamped Concrete
In comparison to asphalt, stone, and precast pavers, stamped concrete offers up plenty in terms of availability longevity, performance, speed of installation, customization, and more.
Increased Longevity
Concrete is a tried and tested building material and is known for its durability in all types of environment. Properly installed and sealed stamped concrete doesn’t warp, fade or crack unlike many other materials. It also holds up well to traffic and wear. Being one of most durable paving materials available, with proper maintenance stamped concrete lasts for decades, even when exposed to harsh winter weather conditions.
Better Aesthetics
The popularity of stamped concrete has skyrocketed among many homeowners and commercial users too because of its design, color, pattern and texture flexibility. Stamping mats can be molded from any materials you want to replicate. Therefore, you can use stamped concrete to mimic other types of natural materials such as brick, slate, or wood, or even expensive materials such as marble, stone, or lumber. This makes it absolutely unique in offering both natural beauty and design flexibility. Stamped concrete offers homeowners the opportunity to match elements present in the home’s architectural style, such as stone, tile, wood, or textured concrete. Stamped concrete can be used to create any aesthetically pleasing feature in your home or property such as decorative concrete patios, driveways & walkways, bathroom or kitchen flooring, pool decks and more.
Cost
The initial cost of installation of stamped concrete will depend on factors like materials, labor, and the complexity of the job. But installing stamped concrete usually works out to be less expensive than installing concrete pavers. It does not require as much installation labor and it will last longer. Moreover the cost of maintenance is also less than other paving materials, meaning big savings over a longer time. Stamped concrete is still a budget-friendly alternative to brick, pavers or natural stone.
Maintenance & Care
Heavy loads, extreme weather conditions and normal shrinkage of the material are all factors that can affect stamped concrete. But still stamped concrete needs only minimal maintenance in comparison to most other paving materials because it has no joints or spaces for weeds to grow. Surface materials like small stones, pavers, gravel can become loose or settle causing tripping hazards. But fortunately, stamped concrete will never require resetting or replacing. The only maintenance requirement is it needs to be resealed once every other year to stop it from chipping or cracking and stop any quick color change. The care you give to your stamped concrete will impact its performance. But even if there is any color fade due to neglect or lack of maintenance, all it needs to regain its former glory is cleaning and resealing. In order to keep stamped concrete free of debris and dirt, it needs to be swept regularly.
Now that you know the features and benefits of installing stamped concrete, do not think twice before incorporating stamped concrete in construction and design. You can have a customized look without paying a huge price, and you can easily add curb appeal and aesthetic value to your property. Call Davis Concrete to find out more about concrete creations or for any professional advice on any type of concrete construction.
