Stamped Concrete

​When people think of concrete, a large portion of that group likely think of plain concrete, and that’s understandable. Plain concrete is seen all over the place, and with its distinctive appearance, you won’t easily forget it. You might be thinking that this material isn’t really for you, as you prefer something with a little more visual flair – and that’s where you might be wrong, as concrete can also come in a stamped form. Stamped concrete has the physical properties that make regular concrete so popular, but with a more diverse range of visual possibilities. At Concrete Contractors Riverside Pro’s, our concrete specialists know the process like the back of their hands, so you can rest easy knowing that you’re going to get a first class outcome. To get more information on this service, or on stamped concrete in general, read on below.
 
Explaining Stamped Concrete
Many people have the perception that concrete is a bit of a boring material, particularly if you’re constructing something that has performative as well as practical functions – like a driveway or patio – but these people clearly aren’t aware of stamped concrete. In fact, many people witness stamped concrete installations in public all the time, but simply aren’t aware of it because of the chameleon-like nature of the substance. So, what exactly is stamped concrete? Well, put simply, it’s where concrete surfaces are stamped, patterned, or embossed with colors and patterns.
 
The Creation Process
How exactly is stamped concrete created then? You might think that this would be a very complex process, but for our experienced individuals, it’s relatively straightforward. The process starts with the pouring of the concrete, which is followed by mixing in the primary color (sometimes this can be done prior to pouring the concrete). After doing this, we’ll add the color release agent, lay down the texturizing mats, and then the waiting begins. Once the mixture has dried, we’ll clean away the color release agent, then apply a sealant to the surface to give some bolstered protection. The process shouldn’t take too long, and the resulting surface should be useable for foot traffic within 48 hours, and vehicle traffic after a week or so.
 
Typical Durability
One of the great advantages of using stamped concrete is that you’re able to get more interesting visual possibilities alongside the classic durability of concrete. It really is the best in class when it comes to physical characteristics, and sacrificing that seems like a real shame – but fortunately, with stamped concrete you won’t have to. This surface will be more than capable of withstanding the daily pressures that would render other surfaces damaged and broken.
 
Aesthetic Versatility
Many people make the decision to go with stamped concrete because they want the typical practical excellence of concrete but with more flair, but what aesthetics are achievable with stamped concrete? It’s a fair question. The fact is, you have a lot of choice in this space. Stamped concrete can be fashioned to look like another material, or it can have an entirely unique look. We’ll run through the possibilities with you to make sure you’re delighted with the result.