Table of Contents
What is the process for stamped concrete?
Traditional Stamping Steps Forming. Form the area you plan on pouring and stamping accordingly. Adding Color. Bull Floating Concrete Surface. Applying Release Agent. Stamping Concrete. Washing Off Excess Release Agent. Sealing Surface, Two Coats. Finished Stampcrete Surface.
How long after pouring concrete do you stamp it?
“But, in general, when you can touch the concrete and not have any sand on your hand, it’s about time, when that laitance is crusted enough, to put a release agent on there. Generally, it’s within an hour or two.” Frazier recommends getting enough stamps to cover at least the width of the slab.
Is it hard to stamp concrete?
Stamping. The most unforgiving part is the actual stamping itself. A good stamped concrete job looks good, while a fair-to-poor stamp job looks horrible. Dealing with poor placement or poor finishing is one thing, but if the imprinting process isn’t done properly, it’s extremely difficult and expensive to repair.
Is stamped concrete worth the money?
Many homeowners wonder if it is worth the cost to install a stamped concrete patio or driveway. The answer is yes, because it adds curb appeal and aesthetic value to your home, allowing you to maximize the return on your investment.
How thick should stamped concrete be?
How thick is stamped concrete? Our standard slab is a minimum of four inches. Some situations will require us to pour six inches of concrete, and this would be discussed before the project takes place.
Why does stamped concrete need to be sealed?
A sealer will improve the appearance of stamped concrete, prevent fading caused by UV rays and protect it from stains and harmful chemicals. Sealing after new concrete has cured and every few years for existing concrete is recommended. A tinted sealer can even be used that will further enhance the concrete’s color.
Can you stamp concrete over existing concrete?
Fortunately, it is possible to place stamped concrete over existing concrete. Stamped concrete overlays are durable options for upgrading, repairing, and enhancing existing concrete.
Can you stamp concrete after it dries?
Can I stamp over a damaged concrete surface? Yes. SUNDEK can repair your existing concrete surface and then apply a stampable concrete overlay on top of it.
Does stamped concrete chip?
Most homeowners believe through-and-through color, known as Integral color is better because it solves the problem of getting a chip and seeing through to the white concrete. This is a great theory, but in reality getting a chip in stamped concrete is very rare and also very easy to recolor if it were to happen.
Which is cheaper pavers or stamped concrete?
Stamped concrete is one of the most popular patio and deck materials worldwide. It is slightly cheaper than pavers and offers a variety of colors and patterns. Since stamped concrete is in fact concrete, it will crack at some point. Installers will try to combat this issue by placing control joints every few feet.
Is stamped concrete slippery?
Stamped concrete is more slippery than normal concrete, mainly because concrete comes with a brushed finish that provides a rough texture. Stamped concrete is smooth, therefore more slippery, especially when it is wet.
Does stamped concrete crack easier?
Does stamped concrete crack? Stamped concrete is highly resistant to cracking when installed correctly. Even if stamped concrete experiences minor cracking, the cracks are often hard to detect because they will often blend in with the pattern and joint lines.
Is stamped concrete cheaper than a deck?
You can save significantly on costs if you build the deck yourself. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1.75 to $5.50 per linear foot for the decking materials needed and between $4 and $8 per square foot for posts and joists materials. Stamped concrete cost anywhere from $12 to $15 per square foot on average.
Is stamped concrete still popular?
Stamped concrete is an ever-growing popular choice due to the fact that it can be made to mimic higher end materials such as brick and stone pavers at a fraction of those products’ cost.
How thin can stamped concrete be?
Unlike other stamp overlay products, Sure Stamp and be applied on existing cement as thin as 3/8″ to provide unlimited texture designs for pool decks, patios, sidewalks, and driveways.
Can you put a thin layer of concrete over existing concrete?
How Thin Can You Pour Concrete Over Existing Concrete? The thinnest that is usually used when pouring concrete, in general, is about 2 to 2 ½ inches. That also applies to this pouring new concrete over old concrete. Any thinner than 2 inches would be too thin.
How does stamped concrete get its color?
Most stamped concrete is colored with pigments that are either added to the mix (integral color) or surface applied (shake-on color hardener). While both are good methods of coloring concrete, color hardener provides greater color selection and enhances the strength and durability of the concrete surface.
What happens if I don’t seal stamped concrete?
Left unsealed, the colors will fade, water marks may be an issue, and stains can penetrate leaving ugly oil spots where the service guy left his old jalopy parked on the driveway. It’s pure and simple, the job just won’t last without a good sealer.
How often do you have to reseal stamped concrete?
Plan to reseal your stamped concrete at least every 18 to 24 months. If you wait too long between sealer applications the sealer will breakdown and allow the color to start fading.
What happens if concrete is not sealed?
What happens if I don’t seal my concrete? In freeze-thaw climates, the expansion of frozen liquids can destroy the surface of unsealed concrete. Oil, salt, fertilizer, and other household chemicals can discolor and damage unsealed concrete.
