Concrete, for a very long time, has been widely known to be a plain-looking construction material. With this thought in mind, many homeowners that want a good-looking concrete surface would probably dislike this. However, there are now numerous concrete decorative methods that can satisfy those who wish to change their concrete’s plain design. One of the answers to that is stamped concrete.
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Before we go straight into the topic, let us first identify what stamped concrete is and how someone can get it. When it comes to adding design and aesthetics to concrete, nothing does it better than stamped concrete. These stamped concretes pretty much provide the homeowner with a wide variety of patterns and colors to choose from, making them popular for beautifying or enhancing the looks of patios, pool decks, driveways, and more.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the possible color and pattern combinations for stamped concrete are pretty much limitless. Customizability for concrete is so great, that you can just choose a fitting design that would either complement or emphasize a part of your property.
Pattern Choices
Naturally, the decision depends entirely on you, but since there are numerous variations you can do with concrete, it is important to know what are some of the most famous options that stamped concrete has to offer. If we’re talking about the popular natural stone patterns, then slate, flagstone, and fieldstone are some of the ones on top. Following these most popular options are brick, cobblestone, and wood patterns which are all great alternative choices.
You may also want to consider the seamless stamps that provide texture, but without joint patterns. It is common knowledge that concrete is poured, and another great benefit that comes with that is you can use concrete to form even some of the most complicated shapes. This allows the formation of concrete steps and fountains that can all also get stamped.
Color Options
Concrete has already advanced in terms of development. The plain grey concrete is no more, and can now become many different colors. Some of the most popular color options for concrete are earthly tones of color, as well as other textures and colors. Naturally, when you are using a texture such as brick patterns and textures, then you would also want to use red or russet colors.
You can mix the colors you want to use on your concrete, have them layered, or even antiqued with stains or tints. Lastly, Colors can also be used within the same project for realistic stone coloration, so do keep that in mind.
Other Stamped Concrete Desing Options
Since stamped concrete is well-known for its flexibility with design, there are surely countless other things you can do with it aside from simple colors and patterns. For instance, some people would use stamped concrete alongside other decorative concrete elements such as exposed aggregate or acid staining.
FAQs
How thick should stamped concrete be?
Concrete slabs normally have a standard thickness of 4 inches that can be stamped, however, it is best to first talk with your contractor about it. This is because some may require pouring six inches of concrete, in any case, additional thickness is first discussed before the project.
What are the different types of stamped concrete?
Stamped concrete is popular for being able to imitate practically any type of natural stone, even wood. However, some of the more popular patterns for stamped concrete are slate, flagstone, and fieldstone. Brick, cobblestone, and wood are also quite popular.
Can you change the color of stamped concrete?
You can change the color of stamped work once it has been placed by applying different types of stains, tints, or dyes. The type of coloring method you use will depend on the look desired and the amount of color change needed.
Does stamped concrete crack in cold weather?
In colder conditions, The cold pulls all the heat and moisture out of the concrete, making it more brittle and easy to crack. Constant freezing and thawing have a similar effect.
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