5 Common Misconceptions About Stamped Concrete

If you’re like most people, when you think of stamped concrete, the first thing that comes to mind is those ugly, patchy sidewalks your grandparents had in their front yard. You may also think that stamped concrete is expensive and difficult to maintain. However, nothing could be further from the truth! In this article, we’ll dispel five common myths about stamped concrete and show you just how versatile and beautiful it can be.

Stamped Concrete Costs More Than Other Alternatives

Many homeowners are considering using stamped concrete in their home’s front driveway or backyard patio area. But they are often under the impression that stamped concrete is very expensive. That may have been true several years ago when this type of paving was just becoming popular. 

Nowadays, however, it costs about the same to install stamped concrete as it does to install brick pavers or colored asphalt paving stones. And you get many additional advantages with stamped concrete that you don’t get with these other options!

This is a common misconception because stamped concrete is made up of the same materials as traditional concrete (aggregate, cement, and water), it costs about the same amount to manufacture and usually comes with a similar price tag.

Since stamped concrete requires less labor than other surfaces such as radiant or built-in barbeques, you can get stamped concrete in place for less money than other surfaces which might not be in stock in your area. 

Before You Realize It, The Stamped Concrete Will Begin To Fracture And Break Down

This is not true. One of the benefits stamped concrete has over natural stone is its ability to resist cracking, chipping, and breaking down. Many people are under this assumption that stamped concrete will crack because it’s fake looking, but when you take into consideration that most natural stones have wider numbers in surface cells than in-depth cells-so when they expand in heat or cold, they crack along these uneven surfaces. 

Think about the stamped version using real aggregate-which provides more support giving them durability-which makes it last longer.

Stamped Concrete Looks Fake

This is one of the most common misconceptions about stamped concrete. Often, homeowners assume that stamped concrete has to be made in a limited number of patterns and shades, and it won’t look real like “real” stone or brick. However, this could not be further from the truth. You can get just about any pattern or color you want with stamped concrete.

There are thousands of different options for patterns and colors available by experienced professionals who know what’s available and how to use it effectively. Homeowners can find anything from rock faces to brick patterns in thousands of colors – including the popular flagstone colors seen on natural stone surfaces!

Stamped Concrete Is Difficult To Maintain

Stamped concrete is just as easy to maintain as any other type of paving. The same sealers can be used on stamped concrete that is used for other types of the paver, and the materials have similar low maintenance requirements. Applications range from light traffic to high-traffic areas, making them suitable for residential and commercial projects alike.

You need to maintain stamped concrete the same as other types of hardscape. Make sure you have a professional reseal any cracks or spots where water might seep in, and power wash it every year or two depending on the amount of foot traffic.

When you first install it, be sure to sweep away debris from cracks, joints, and any other crevices as not doing so could lead to staining as the organic matter breaks down over time. In addition to that, applying a sealer is also important because it protects against dirt and oils getting stuck in between surfaces.