What is stamped concrete?
Table of Contents
For a better understanding, the basic concept is that the concrete that has added color, texture, or pattern added to it to make it similar or resemble any other material is called stamped concrete. The practice has been updated from the previous version of patterns added to the wet concrete.
Pavements, driveway, walkway are some of the common features that an owner is looking forward to add to the building be it a house or any other building for that matter of fact. These are some of the most important parts of building sometimes and require more attention and knowledge of material and details.
The material requirements for these can sometimes prove to be very expensive and the construction estimators may warn about the costs.
The suggestions for alternative materials are always in place though. Generally, stones such as slate or flagstone, tiles and bricks are used for this purpose. All of these materials are not only expensive but also require high maintenance. Some of them prove to be fragile and weak when it comes to water or weather durability.
Hence, even though the options are limitless, productivity is however limited. The most effective alternative and solution for this problem have certain qualities of durability and low maintenance to it. We are talking about the stamped concrete here. This material has the ability to replicate any other flooring substance like stone or bricks or even wood.
It is also known as textured or imprinted concrete. It can mimic those materials well and not only that, it has the quality of high durability at its disposal. It is affordable and a suitable option for your tight budget. If you are aspiring to know more about this wonder of a solution for your flooring needs, you have landed at the right space.
We are going to discuss the most important concepts related to the stamped concrete which may carry all the answers to your how and why. We are going to discuss the method of concrete pouring and all the benefits related to choosing this type of building substance. Let us dive deep into the concepts.
Various ideas for designs and installations:
The colors and options are unlimited. However, the ideas and specifications can be derived from the surrounding landscapes. The colors can also be finalized based on the architectural details.
You can choose what type of design or texture compliments the architecture of your house and the overall look is aesthetic and in complete synchronization. You can also choose from different patterns. There are brick patterns, cobblestones as well as the wood patterns.
In addition to this, you can color-coordinate your building through various color options. Most popular are the earth tones. Grey is also popular as well as the rustic tones of bricks. The colors can be used alternatively or along the borders or in contrast with the overall pattern. It has this exquisite property where it can be used with other decorative elements such as acid staining. You can renovate your fireplaces; add value to those walls as well as the concrete floors.
Process of installation and pouring method:
The process of installation of stamped concrete is usually fast and requires the work to be done with extra efficiency. It is straightforward and requires the expertise of professionals. You are not going to have more chances of installations. It is a bone-in-one-go type job when it comes to installations. There are no re-dos to this job.
The process consists of sub-base preparation, concrete mix, time to stamping, and then finishing on time before the concrete hardens. We are going to bi-furcate the process here for ease of understanding.
- The first step is to pour at least a four-inch thick layer of concrete. This will give it a nice base for further work.
- Addition of color is usually done through two types of processes. Those are integral coloring and surface coloring. In the former, color is added to the mixer whereas the latter method is where the color is added after the placement of cement. After adding color, a color release agent is added to the mixer, which lays the base for texturing mats and contains a property of non-sticking so that the mats will not stick to the mixture.
- Laying of the texturizing mats is the next step in the right direction. These are applied to the whole surface when the cement is wet.
- After the cement has dried up, pressure washing is then done to remove the release agent. A sealant is applied to give it the required finishing. After that, the floor is left to process for over a month.
This is the main process of application of stamped concrete and is done under professional supervision and expertise. It is not a recommendation to do this on your own, as there are many technicalities involved in the process.
A small discussion about the pros and cons:
The process and product to stamped concrete has many pros and cons and these must be taken into consideration before taking on the project or even before consideration.
Pros of stamped concrete:
This material is durable as compared to other flooring and decorative materials. Stamped concrete has a long life when it comes to sustainability and requires a very little maintenance. It may require resealing after several months but the process is not very frequent and does not cost much.
If it is prepped right after process completion, it is non-slippery and can prove to be very safe. It is affordable and since it has very low maintenance properties, it is a budget friendly option.
It has an aesthetic design essence and easy to customize. Moreover, there are many options available for customization.
Cons of stamped concrete:
The most notable disadvantage is probably that you cannot do it yourself or take it as a DIY project. It requires expertise and professionals to get the job done in a manner that is both right an efficient.
If the crack appears, in the concrete, it is not easy to repair and the pattern may look different after repairing.
These are the advantages and disadvantages of using stamped concrete but overall the benefits surpass the limits. It is an appropriate option for your design needs as well as the construction materials.
Construction estimating services also provide you the estimates keeping all these important details in view. With the stamped concrete options, you will not have to worry about the costs or quality of the construction work.
