Stamped Concrete

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Stamped Concrete Installation Service

Stamped concrete, otherwise known as imprinted or textured concrete, emulates other types of stones and materials such as brick, tile, slate, and even wood. The variety of different patterns and option you can choose makes this a great option for pool decks, patios, and driveways. One of the benefits of doing a stamped concrete project, is it is often cheaper than getting the type of stones or material that the stamped concrete emulates.

One of the benefits of stamped concrete is it is very durable for adverse weather conditions, but at the same time will have the classy look of wood, brick stone, materials.

 

Pros and Cons for Stamped Concrete

Pros

  • Stamped concrete is easy to maintain when sealed.
  • It is slip resistant if a non-skid additive is used.
  • Is very durable, and last a long time.
  • Offers an almost endless selection of patterns and colors.
  • It is much more affordable than brick or stone pavers.

Cons

  • Repairing can be challenging.
  • Needs cleaning and periodic resealing.
  • Can develop cracks like cement pavement.
  • Not easy for a DIY project.
  • Like cement pavement, it can be damaged by freezing and thawing cycles.
Imprinting Textures on a Stamped Concrete Project

A Huge Variety of Design Options

If you are considering the variety of design options, stamped concrete is almost unbeatable when it comes to selecting the look you want. If you are trying to get a customized design that matches the aesthetic of your home’s architectural style, or natural environment around you, then the versatility of stamped concrete could be a good fit for you.

The Colorful World of Stamped Concrete

Because people tend to choose the natural stone look, the most popular colors tend to be shades of gray, and rock colors. However, you mix colors, layer on stains and tints, which create a plethora of choices you could make. You can even emulate the variety of colors present in natural stones, and use multiple colors for a more realistic feel, or decorative choices using contrasting patterns.

Alternate Decorative Techniques 

You can also combine stamped concrete with other decorative concrete techniques, such as acid staining or exposed aggregate. Because of the variety of looks you can achieve with stamped concrete, you can use it to get a matching style for the various spaces in your house, such as the basements, kitchens, family rooms, bathrooms, entryways and more. You can use it to add decorative elements to your existing floors or fireplaces, and even for concrete countertops. The applications are almost endless.

Is Stamped Concrete Expensive? 

Getting a stamped concrete project completed can potentially be an expensive endeavor, but it is important to find the right person for the job, as quality matters for long term renovations especially if aesthetic quality is important to you. Stamped concrete is very durable and last for a long time, which could save you a lot of money in maintenance and replacement, compared to the cost of other materials.

By having a high quality stamped concrete floor, you will also be improving the aesthetic and therefore overall value of your property. If you have a one color, uniform patter, the cost can range from $8 to $12 per square foot, adding multiple designs and or borders can run you anywhere from $12 t0 $18, and custom high end jobs can go from $18 and above per square foot. If you want a quote specific to your space, contact us today.

Is stamped concrete cheaper than pavers? 

Relative to other options when it comes to permanent flooring solutions, stamped concrete end ups being more cost effective than other options such as pavers. One advantage is the variety of different types of patterns and colors you can achieve with stamped concrete, which would not be available for techniques such as pavers.

Also the cost of maintenance tends to be a lot cheaper for stamped concrete, because natural stone and pavers need constant maintenance to keep the sand between the joints, and to prevent weed growth. The installation of stamped concrete tends to go faster than paver and natural stone project completion times. When simply comparing the installation costs, you can see that stamped concrete is still a very cost effective option.

Here is a summary of the various options, attributes, advantages, versus costs.

Table with Pros and Cons of Stamped Concrete vs Other Paving Materials

Does stamped concrete look fake or cheap?

Stamped concrete looks very realistic. The stamping mats are actually created from the materials they are emulating. By combining coloring techniques such as surface-applied mediums with dry-shake and integral coloring, a skilled concrete contractor can produce fabulous results that very closely resemble textures from wood planks to natural stones. Because of the lack of joints which are inherent in pavers and natural stones, there is lack of moss and weed growth, which makes the project look cleaner.

Is Stamped Concrete Slippery?

Because stamped concrete has a textured surface, it generally has more traction than a typical flat concrete service. Just like any concrete or natural stone surface, it can become slippery when has sealer applied, or is wet. If you are installing stamped concrete or any concrete project in a high foot traffic area, you can increase the surface traction by using additives or implementing a heavier texture.

How long does stamped concrete last?

Similar to most conventional concrete projects, stamped concrete will last for decades if installed and maintained with care. Stamped concrete is even resistant to cold temperatures during the winter time. Certain color hardener applied during stamped concrete might even give It more resistance to harsh temperatures. By adding a sealer to stamped concrete, this can add a protective layer, and make maintenance easier.

How do I maintain Stamped Concrete?

Stamped concrete maintenance is relatively, as it is extremely durable and long lasting. It requires less maintenance than other types of paver materials. Cleaning and resealing maintenance should be done every two to three years. The frequency should be determined by the average amount of wear and tear the surfaces are subject to, such as heavy foot traffic, cars, harsh weather, chemical pollutants. Before you reseal a concrete floor, simply clean the surface with a hose or pressure washer, detergent, and a push broom.  

If you used a color hardener and sealer, it will make the stamped concrete more resistant to water, dirt, chemical stains, and abrasions. If you have any grease or oil spills, it is probably a good idea to clean that off as quickly as possible to avoid stains.

If you need to get an expert stamped concrete job in the Los Angeles county area, simply give us a call today, and we can give you a free quote for your specific project.

     

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      GET A QUOTE TODAY

      GET A QUOTE TODAY