5 Secrets You Didn’t Know About Stamped Concrete

If you’re like most people, you probably think of stamped concrete as a basic gray surface. But did you know that stamped concrete can be made to look like just about anything? From brick to stone, there are endless possibilities when it comes to stamping concrete. So if you’re thinking of using this material for your next project, here are five secrets you need to know.

Cast Aluminum Was Used To Make Concrete Stamps

They were considered highly unique pieces of art. However, the recent market has brought a very large resurgence to concrete stamps and their usage. In the past, cast aluminum stamps were used to create decorative stamped concrete patterns. Today, however, premium cast acrylic or polyurethane stamps are a more durable and long-lasting choice creating the crisp and detailed lines stamped concrete is known for.

Texturing Skins Are Used In Concrete Stamping

This will give your stamped concrete designs a more detailed and crisp look. It is also beneficial in hiding any minor imperfections.

Textured skins are basically paper-like material made of PVC which has embossed textures stamped on it to make it adhesive with a concrete surface. For instance, you can use faux wood paper-like skin for simulating natural patterns like wooden flooring or siding, stone-like skins for imitating various stones like marble or granite, etc. This paper-like material is then sprayed with an acrylic adhesive that bonds well to both concrete and skins, making it easier to apply them together.

Stamped Concrete Is Molded In Stamp Mats Made From Real Materials To Make The Impression More Realistic

Stamp mats are a special tool used to apply textures to stamped concrete. Decorative stamps have a raised pattern on their surface, while texture stamps have an indented pattern on their surface. Both patterns serve the same purpose of adding visual appeal to stamped concrete.

Most stamps come in solid colors with no design, but some companies offer multicolor lego style blocks that allow even more customization options for stamped concrete designs.

Stamped concrete is a mixture of cement and other basic ingredients. It is placed on the topmost layer of the ground, with mortar as its foundation. In order to achieve a more realistic look, you have to mix the premixed concrete colors with water. In doing so, it creates an eclectic mix that takes on different colors depending on how much water you add. This process is known as color washing.

When stamped over a dark base coat, it will create a sense of depth and dimension for your walkway or patio. You can also try stamping over an old driveway to give it a whole new design altogether.

Stamped Concrete Has Been Around For A Long Time

The truth is, concrete stamping and the ability to make customized designs on concrete surfaces has been around for a while. In fact, you might be surprised at how old it is!

Concrete stamping came about during the Art Deco era of architecture; even older than that. The oldest known stamped concrete floor can be found in Hollywood Hills, CA, and was built in 1922. Many other stamped floors were installed during the following years but this particular one remains as a testament to its endurance and popularity.

Stampable products have come a long way since then so getting started is easier than ever before. What you used to have to mix by hand however many decades ago can now be purchased pre-mixed and ready to go, plus the molds are easier than ever!

Existing Concrete May Be Covered With Stamped Concrete

This is one of the biggest benefits of stamped concrete. If you already have an existing slab of concrete, either in your yard or your garage, you can change it up by covering it in a stamped pattern. It isn’t easy and does make a mess but it can be done and you can paint or stain over it to match your house or other color accents.

Stamped concrete can cover other types of hard surfaces such as brick and asphalt. It is able to do so because the material has similar properties to that of solid concrete, but can be placed in molds, giving it different textures.

Typically, stampede or poured-in-place concrete needs to be at least four inches thick. Stamped features are typically 1/2 inch deep or less with stamping tools used on top of that depth. The stamped duplication of the design in the concrete is 1/4 inch or less.