If you’re considering investing in a new patio, pool deck, or even driveway, you know that the material you use is everything. Even some research will reveal that certain materials are more long-lasting than others in certain climates, that certain other materials need more care…the world of garages, driveways, and pool decks, isn’t a straightforward one.
What is straightforward: stamped concrete is a great fit for all the applications we mentioned above. Creative Concrete hopes to teach you a thing or two about what we know best.
What’s Stamped Concrete?
Stamped concrete is just what its name implies: concrete that is imprinted with a texture or pattern. The concrete is laid in slabs, and the pattern pressed into it before the concrete has completely dried, which leaves a realistic impression behind.
Be careful that you don’t confuse stamped concrete with its counterpart, textured concrete; they’re two very different things and yield very different results from an appearance standpoint. Check out our local concrete contractor blog to learn the details. In short: stamped concrete tends to be more regular-looking in appearance, while textured concrete leans toward a more abstract, yet still natural-looking, flair. Neither is better than the other, but each technique is better able to achieve a certain look.
The Cosmetic Benefits of Stamped Concrete
In the past, stamped concrete could appear very stilted and artificial. Nowadays, however, innovations in color and technique mean that stamped concrete has found its niche. It can be made to look like anything from cobblestone to brick to even a seashell inlay. It even comes in countless colors, as we cover in our blog! Homeowners everywhere are now investing in concrete patios, pool concrete, and concrete driveways because:
It’s Realistic
As stated above, stamped concrete can be made with countless colors and patterns; this means that it can easily mimic more expensive and/or higher-maintenance patio, driveway, or pool deck materials. Get the luxe look without the price tag and invest in stamped concrete!
It’s Low-Maintenance
While a good sealing job and a good scrub will help keep stamped concrete looking its best, it can be considered less needy than other materials, such as cobblestone, which require periodic weed removal.
It’s Versatile
As alluded to above, the color and pattern options for stamped concrete are virtually endless. Even if you aren’t trying to imitate a more expensive material, a new stamped concrete patio can still be an aesthetically pleasing choice, as it can be custom-made to fit your style—no matter what that may be.
The Practical Benefits of Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete may be decorative concrete, but that doesn’t mean it’s not tough. It behaves nearly identically to your standard gray broomed concrete in a variety of ways—and that sort of concrete is well-loved in the construction industry and beyond for many reasons. According to the Concrete Contractors Association of Greater Chicago, concrete is “plastic and … strong and durable when hardened. These qualities explain why one material, concrete, can build skyscrapers, bridges, sidewalks, and superhighways, houses and dams.”
By plastic, they’re not referring to its composition in the literal sense; as we covered in our blog, concrete is made out of cement, rock, sand, water, and occasionally aggregates. Instead, plastic here refers to concrete’s high degree of malleability before it hardens, which allows builders to manipulate it into almost any shape or form they want. What that means for your project: practical concerns tend to be minimal, and the sky’s the limit!
Just like with standard concrete techniques such as saw-cutting and rebar can be used to lend this already tough-as-nails material extra strength, promoting its longevity and controlling cracking.
Is Stamped Concrete Right for Me?
If you can’t settle for anything less than the best in cosmetic versatility and practicality, then yes! Stamped concrete is an amazing fit for driveways, driveway borders, pool decks, and patios. It will provide your home with a gorgeous, low-maintenance, durable upgrade for years into the future.
INVEST IN THE BEST LOCAL CONCRETE COMPANY: CREATIVE CONCRETE
Though we’re based in New Brighton, we’d be happy to lend our concrete-designing skills to any home in the Twin Cities area. Give us a call today at 612-414-7932.