Stamped Concrete Is An Exciting Old Material With A New Look

Stamped concrete is an old material, concrete with a great new look which makes it far more attractive for many uses today. Stamped concrete can simulate many other materials such as tiles, cobblestones, wood, and stone. It can be impressed with a variety of textures and is then usually colored to further add to the similarity of the material it emulates.

There are circumstances where clearly the most superior material is concrete in terms of strength and durability but is not preferred due to its appearance. A walkway made of concrete can be seamless, not subject to buckling or separation as cobblestones might be, but far less attractive than a stone walkway. Stamped concrete allows the homeowner to have the beautiful walkway they desire but also have the strength of concrete to make it last.

Concrete that is stamped is not a new discovery. However what has been used in the past has been distinctly lacking in visual appeal. Stamped surfaces were obviously stamped and very poor simulations of the materials they were modeled after. Recent advances in coloration and textures however have lifted stamp concrete into another realm and given it a greater aesthetic appeal.

Today concrete that has been textured and colored is still concrete with all its strengths but it also is much more pleasing to the eye. This material is beginning to be common not only in businesses but in upscale homes. While a stamped concrete walkway might look similar to another material such as natural stone or cobble stones it has few of the same weaknesses of this material which make frequent repairs necessary.

Stamping concrete is not usually a weekend do it yourself project for the homeowner. Stamping requires precise timing, multiple people and specialized equipment. Concrete pouring is a simple matter for most people but the stamping and impression process usually require professionals.

Concrete to be stamped is poured as usual but is laid at least four inches deep. Colors can be added to the concrete in the mixer or can be applied after. A release agent is applied to the surface of the concrete. The release agent will permit the stamping mats to be applied and then release them without taking the concrete up as well.

Once the concrete dries for about 24 hours the release agent must be washed off the surface. After the concrete dries a clear sealant is applied to preserve the color and texture of the stamping. This might seem like a very complicated process and it is, but when durability is a must but aesthetics are also desired there is no substitute or competition for this type of concrete.

While colored and textured decorative concrete can’t compete in terms of looks with the real thing such as cobblestones or flagstones it has undeniable advantages. This old material has a fresh and exciting new look thanks to some great advances in recent years. Sometimes improvements in old products are as exciting as brand new materials.

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