If you plan to lay a new walkway or driveway but you don’t want to use plain concrete, the best solution is stamped concrete. It’s like giving your driveway the stamp of your approval. Stamped driveway is very decorative yet not expensive.
The stamped concrete is a special concrete with ornamental patterns imprinted on it. You may also apply texture and color to mimic the appearance of bricks, flagstones, and limestone, among others. Many homeowners love stamped concrete because it makes a driveway to stand out. It’s the better option than the grey, plain, and boring concrete or the black asphalt.
How it Works
Driveway installation contractors make a traditional concrete slab better by adding print textures and designs using a stamping material when the concrete is yet to set. To make the result really good, then dye or coloring can also be introduced.
The installation of stamped concrete is not an exact science. It’s more of an art. It means that the method of each contractor may be different from one another. It’s essential to employ a skilled contractor if you want to get the best effect. The use of the right equipment is essential to get the right colors or design.
Adding extra textures and colors to concrete means more expense. Expect that stamped concrete is costlier than regular concrete driveways. The charges and rates of stamped concrete contractors may differ too. Usually, stamped concrete costs somewhere between $8 and $10 for every square foot. That’s high compared to the $5 rate of regular concrete for every square foot.
Caring for Stamped Concrete
A stamped concrete driveway may last for approximately 20 years. Cracking is the primary issue with concrete driveways, whether or not they’re stamped. Special joints can be installed by contractors to manage the parts where holes usually develop. But the thing is nothing will ensure you that the concrete will never crack.
Concrete is floating and always moving. That is the reason why it cracks. To avoid concrete cracks, concrete pores have to be filled with a sealer. Sealers keep water out of the concrete and reduce the chances of cracking.
Sealers make brilliantly stamped concrete. Seeing cracks in the stamped concrete does not mean that it is ruined. You should still be able to use it. To get rid of cracks, you might have to redo the driveway. You may try to fix cracks in the concrete and it’s usually the best things to do. But you may also want to determine if repairing the crack is worth it or you can just let it be. Cracks are not as evident on stamped concrete as it is in regular concrete.
Should You Get Stamped Concrete?
Stamped concrete is a good alternative to regular concrete and that’s a fact. It will add more life and design to your driveway without breaking the bank. With stamped concrete, you can get the look of flagstones on your porch but you don’t have to pay as much for it. To know more about stamped concrete and the contractors that can help you install it, simply click on the link provided www.platinumcrete.com/stamped-concrete.html.
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