For a very long time, it seemed as if stamped concrete was one of the best-kept secrets in home improvement. Its popularity, in part, was due to its versatility. In fact, I’m sure you have walked over stamped concrete on dozens of occasions and never even noticed it!
Stamped concrete really is one of the true “blank canvas” mediums available in home improvement and construction. Now, as it’s various plus points are being more widely lauded, it is finally coming into the light as one of the most popular choices of material during home improvement and construction work.
That being said, even with its recent popularity spike, a lot of people still have a lot of questions about stamped concrete. Well, to help you out, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Just what is Stamped Concrete?
Lets start with the big one as a lot of people may only have heard the name, but have no idea what it actually is. Well, stamped concrete is simply concrete that, after being poured, has had a design “stamped” onto it. It can also be colored, and the stamps will typically be employed to give the impression of another kind of floor covering – such as bricks, tiles, stone and even wood.
So does it look as good as the real thing?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say! But generally speaking, unless you are really looking out for it, then it will be extremely hard to see the difference between, say, a brick path and concrete path with brick stamping. As with many construction projects of course, a lot will depend on the skill of the company you hire to install the concrete.
Is it only suitable for home use?
Oh no, absolutely not! In fact, stamped concrete is a very good flooring surface for commercial properties. It provides a mixture of high-end design and finish with an exceptional durability that other materials simply cannot match. It is therefore an excellent choice if you want a floor that both looks great and can also stand up to considerable foot or vehicle traffic.
Is it suitable for around my pool?
Stamped concrete can be an excellent material to install around a backyard pool or hot tub. That being said, in it’s natural state it can become somewhat slippery when wet. This however, can be easily remedied with the use of a skid resistant sealant, which can be applied to the surface of the concrete by your contractor. The concrete will however prove itself to be far more resistant to water damage over time than, for example, wooden decking which can be prone to warping and rotting in wet conditions.
Hopefully this has answered a few of the questions you may have about stamped concrete. If not, or if you are still curious, it is well worth reaching out to a local contractor, perhaps even attaining a quote for their services. If the only question you have is what is the best material for my new patio, driveway or kitchen floor then the answer is probably stamped concrete!