Winter in Missouri is a great time to start planning your spring and summer home improvement projects. If your plans this year include installing a beautiful and functional patio, driveway, walkway or firepit, you are wise to examine the advantages of stamped concrete.
What Is Stamped Concrete?
Stamped concrete is a technique by which concrete is poured and then imprinted with heavy rubber stamps to mimic the style, pattern and texture of slate, brick, cobblestone, tile and even wood. Often, the texture is further enhanced with color.
Imprinted concrete has gained popularity in recent years due to its cost-efficiency over brick and stone, design options, and versatility. Stamps can be applied to newly poured concrete or, if you already have a solid concrete slab in good condition, as a new layer to the existing concrete.
Advantages of Stamped Concrete
Cost
As mentioned above, stamped concrete can have a much more palatable price point than the competing materials of brick and stone. Why? Because of the labor-intensive nature of the other materials. The stamps used for concrete are large, heavy, and can cover more square footage with each impression than individually laying bricks, cobblestone, or other hardscaping materials.
Variety Of Looks And Colors
Do you love the look of cobblestone, slate, or brick but not the impressive price-tag that comes with them? The good news is that you can get the same look with stamped concrete. The wide variety of imprint options now available makes it easy to get the look you want.
If you want to add a little dramatic flair to your surroundings, a pop of color can be easily added, either during the concrete’s mixing process (for long-term color solutions) or after the stamp has been lifted from the concrete (for more vibrant colors that require touch-up every two-to-three years). The options are as limitless as the colors in the rainbow!
Less Maintenance And More Durability
If you are looking for a hardscaping option that will require less maintenance and more durability for years to come, imprinted concrete is the answer. Because the concrete is one uniform slab, there is no concern with stones or bricks settling over time, or creating infinitesimal cracks for weeds to come through or bugs to infiltrate.
Disadvantages of Stamped Concrete
Less Maintenance Does Not Mean No Maintenance
Like most other home improvements, there is a certain amount of maintenance involved with textured concrete. Every two to three years the color may need to be touched up and the sealant re-applied.
You Might Like: How Do You Maintain Outdoor Concrete?
Critics May Know The Difference
There will always be that one neighbor, friend, or family member that seems to take delight in pointing out that something is not the “real deal.” If you are concerned that the appearance of the imprinted concrete won’t be an exact replica of the materials you are wanting to emulate, ask your ready-mix concrete contractor for opinions, designs, and examples. You may be surprised at how realistic imprinted concrete can look.
Not DIY-Friendly
If you are interested in stamped concrete, be aware that the process is not friendly to the novice DIY-er. This is one area where experience counts. Even application, color treatment and patterns are best achieved by a professional.
The Takeaway: Stamped Concrete Is A Cost-Effective And Beautiful Alternative To Brick And Pavers
Stamped concrete is a great solution for Jefferson County homeowners looking for the look of expensive and labor-intensive brick and stone hardscaping. At Arnold Ready-Mix, we love providing quality and dependable service to both DIY homeowners and contractors. Contact us today to get a free quote, or stop in to speak to a sales representative about your options for quality ready-mix concrete delivery for your next project.
More From Our Jefferson County Ready-Mix Concrete Blog:
Tips for Concrete Patio Design in Missouri
Concrete or Pavers: Which is Right for Your Project?
Benefits of Using Ready-Mix Concrete for Your Swimming Pool Deck