How Stamped Concrete is Done and How to Use It

Learn how stamped concrete is used and its purpose.

Who doesn't want to make their homes and property beautiful? Stamped concrete not only gives your home value a boost, but it also improves your self-esteem and mood. A beautiful home makes for happy homeowners!

One of the many things that can help beautify your home is by using stamped concrete for your flooring, patios, walkways, and more. But what is stamped concrete? How does one make it, and how can you use it on your property?

What is Stamped Concrete

Stamped concrete is a decorative concrete that comes in different designs depending on the mold used. It is a versatile building material that provides the benefits concrete can give, plus a wide variety of designs and patterns you can freely mix and match. It's not only limited to designs that concrete usually looks like since it can also be patterned to mimic wood, brick, tile, and more. It is also a popular choice of building material since it's more affordable than the real deal.

Stamped Concrete Styles and Applications

When infusing styles in stamped concrete, rubber stamps or mats are texturized and molded from real materials to copy their design. These mats are applied to wet cement and imprint the pattern from the mat. This makes it possible for your concrete slab to get the look you want, be it wood, tile, cobblestone, etc. You can also customize your pattern by using symbols or your family crests, for example. Or if you have a personal design you want to incorporate into your concrete, it's possible with stamped concrete.

The Process of Stamped Concrete

When installing stamped concrete, this is the usual process on how it's done. It is doable to install it yourself; however, it's highly recommended that you seek help from a reliable concrete contractor.

Preparation of the Area

Preparing the area where you plan to install your stamped concrete is crucial. This is so you can ready the soil underneath and protect it, preventing it from shifting, which can cause cracks on the concrete surface. This can be done using a compactor machine or simply stamping the soil with a hand tamper or your foot. You can also reinforce the area by laying down wire mesh or steel bars.

Mixing, Pouring, and Smoothing of Concrete

Before you start pouring, protect the surrounding areas with plastic sheets. The mixture between concrete and water must be correct. Ensure you follow the instructions on your concrete mix to reduce the chances of cracking or concrete issues once you pour it in place. Smooth the surface and make sure it's even and level. If you want to add color but forgot during the mixing process, you can add it in this step.

Stamp Application

In this phase, one must be fast to effectively imprint the stamp on the concrete. This is just one of the reasons why it's risky to do this as a DIY. Stamping concrete is done by starting on the edge and making your way up the whole area. Working from where you poured first is best, reducing the chances of the concrete drying out.

Another pressure point of stamp application is working fast and remembering the pattern from the mat you are setting down. The alignment should be correct, connecting with the ones you already stamped down. Because once you make a mistake in placing your pattern, there's no way you can correct that later once the concrete hardens.

Curing and Sealing the Concrete

The curing phase is essential if you want to prevent cracks from ruining your beautiful progress of stamping your concrete. In this stage, you must keep the surface wet to prevent your concrete from drying out too quickly. You can do so by regularly misting the area or placing a damp burlap or canvas on top. How long this lasts can depend on weather conditions, the mix of your concrete, and more, so it's best to let the professionals handle this.

Once the curing phase ends, you can head to the sealing stage. Applying the sealer on your concrete will boost the appearance of your stamped concrete and enhance the colors. This also helps protect the surface, preventing discoloration and stains from ruining your beautiful concrete.

Stamped concrete has its fair share of pros and cons. It may be possible to DIY your stamped concrete, but by doing so, you must be fast and determined to see it all through. Especially when there's a time constraint and the hard work of mixing, pouring, and stamping involved in the project.

You can save yourself the frustration and fear of making errors by giving the reins to a professional concrete contractor instead. This way, you'll have peace of mind and enjoy beautiful stamped concrete that not only beautifies your property but also reflects your personality.

Ready to add stamped concrete to your own home? Come and give us a ring at Holland Custom Concrete! Our concrete contractors will gladly assist you with your stamped concrete needs!