SERVICES

Stamped Concrete

Thanks for your interest in Decorative Concrete!

One of the most common types of decorative concrete is known as Stamped Concrete.

Stamped Concrete is a special type of concrete made to look like natural stone. Stamped Concrete is regular concrete, finished using special tools and techniques so that it looks like natural stone, slate, brick, cobblestone, or whatever stamp pattern you select.

Stamped Concrete is a new poured concrete area, “slab”, “pad” typically used as a patio, driveway, pool deck, walkway, etc.

Stamped Concrete has been around for many years. However, it represents a relatively new alternative for homeowners and commercial customers for any area previously designed for pavers or bricks. Stamped concrete is a great choice now available that is typically the least expensive of other types of surfaces and requires less maintenance than most other surfaces.

At it’s core, Stamped Concrete is regular concrete, that is, stamped concrete is just as strong, durable, and long lasting as regular concrete. We install stamped concrete with a gravel base, with steel reinforcement, and expansion and control joints to make it as strong and long-lasting as possible. When installed properly, Stamped Concrete areas will give you many years of unique, beautiful, and durable service.

2 Biggest Myths of Stamped Concrete – Busted!

Myth #1, Slippery
“Don’t get stamped concrete, it’s slippery!”
Not anymore. Starting many years ago we use a non-skid additive in the sealer that provides a slip-resistant surface on all Stamped Concrete.

Myth #2, Cracks
“Don’t get stamped concrete, it cracks!”
First, any concrete, plain or stamped is certainly susceptible to cracking. When a new concrete area is planned, the surface is prepared, gravel based is installed and steel reinforcement is installed which also makes the concrete stronger. Another important design feature is expansion joints and control joints.

Expansion joint is a fiber, cork-like material that looks a bit like a piece of wood, that is attached to any existing structure such as a garage, porch, etc. where new concrete will be coming in contact. This flexible material provides room for the new concrete during expansion and contraction cycles.

In addition, control joints are typically saw-cut into the new Stamped Concrete. This is the type of joint looks like a groove or score-line that you commonly see every 3-4 feet on most sidewalks. These joints provide a weak spot or a “break point” for the concrete. These joints don’t determine whether concrete will or won’t crack, they simply help to control the location. Steel reinforcement also helps to keep any cracks to a minor hairline crack.

So, if a crack develops in concrete, it typically occurs at the weakest point. If control joints are installed correctly, any cracks will likely occur down inside the control joint where you won’t see it. This is a standard technique to control the location of any cracking that may occur. So you might say, concrete that cracks is perfectly acceptable, provided it occurs in a control joint.

Periodic Cleaning | Re-Sealing | FAQ