Stamped Concrete Patios
A stamped concrete patio gives your patio flooring the appearance and texture of other flooring materials like stone, limestone, natural slate, and others at a fraction of the cost of these materials. Stamped concrete can also be made to look like brick, weathered wood, cobblestone, and a long list of other materials without the limitations of these materials. Using stamped concrete to floor your patio is a low cost and low-maintenance solution that is fitting for most properties no matter the style or architectural design of your building.
What’s a Stamped Concrete Patio? A stamped concrete patio is a type of patio flooring that makes use of a simple concrete slab that has been textured or embossed. The process of making stamped concrete is simple and similar to that of regular concrete slabs. The concrete is mixed and poured like normal concrete flooring. The patterns and textures are then pressed into the smooth concrete surface while it is still wet. Different colors are added to the concrete mix before it is poured or sprayed onto it for realism and to mimic the appearance of the material the stamped concrete is intended to resemble. How Much Does Stamped Concrete Patio Cost? The cost of stamped concrete patio varies widely and depends on various factors. But while it is typically more expensive than plain concrete, stamped concrete can be as much as 50% cheaper than other types of patio flooring materials. The average cost of stamped concrete patio installation is about $10 to $15 per sq. Ft. A brick patio may cost between $14 to $20/sq. Ft. While stone, marble, or slate are even more expensive. In addition to the generally low installation cost, stamped concrete patio is even easier and cheaper to maintain. Limitations Of Using Stamped Concrete For My Patio? There are very few limitations to using stamped concrete for flooring your patio. Because the surface of stamped concrete is textured, there may be some deeply embossed patterns that will leave your patio with uneven surfaces. This will make it difficult to stabilize your patio furniture and can also be hazardous for people with limited mobility. Also, while stamped concrete itself is low maintenance and very durable. It is possible for the color to begin to fade off with time due to weather conditions. This is particularly true when surface colorants are used which is why mixing in the dye with the cement is a much better alternative. In all, having your stamped concrete installed by competent professionals stamped concrete patio installers will help avoid most of these drawbacks. Can I Add a Stamped Finish To An Existing Patio Slab? If you are just hearing about stamped concrete but you already have a regular concrete installation for your patio, you don’t have to remove the old slab entirely to make way for a stamped concrete patio. If your old slab is still in good condition an inch or so of stamped concrete can be added on top of it. The old surface will be cleaned and covered with bonding agents and a new layer of concrete is added and stamped for a stamped concrete texture and appearance. |
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