Stamped Concrete
Pattern-stamped concrete is at the leading edge of concrete "hardscaping". This process involves "stamping" or "impressing" three dimensional patterns into semi-hardened colored concrete with special stamping tools. When the stamping is complete, the concrete is then sealed, highlighting the colors and providing greater stain and weather resistance. The result is a surface that combines the beauty of masonry with the durability and cost-effectiveness of concrete.
A stamped project starts out like any typical concrete pour, but becomes much more detailed and labor intense. After the initial bullfloating of the concrete, a color hardener powder is broadcast across the surface and floated into the concrete. The color hardener will be the primary color of the finished product. Once colored, the next step is to broadcast a colored release agent prior to stamping. This keeps the stamps from sticking to or pulling the concrete during the stamping process and also imparts the joint and texture color. Once the release agent is on the surface, the texture and stamping mats are placed and tamped into the surface of the semi-hardened concrete, transferring their pattern to the concrete surface. Once the stamping is complete, the color hardener and release agent are left on the surface of the concrete for up to a week, depending on color choice and weather conditions, before being rinsed off to reveal the finished product. The final step is to seal the surface with a high-solids sealer, highlighting the colors and providing greater stain and weather resistance.
Some of the most common pattern choices include, but are not limited to: slate, flagstone, cobblestone, brick, granite, woodgrain, tile, and more. Like all forms of decorative concrete flatwork, the design possibilities are limited only by your imagination and the concrete contractor's skillset.
