Stamped Concrete
A Division of Fidelity Builders and Design
Stamped Concrete
Sometimes called imprinted concrete even textured concrete, stamped concrete replicates stones, slate, and even bricks. Over the past 20 years stamped concrete, Los Angeles especially, has gained immensely in popularity due to the cost of installing similar styles pavers. It removes the pain staking labor of placing pavers by hand, and instead with the use a stamp set, some forms and specialized chemicals, a stamped concrete patio can replicate a hand laid paver or stone patio for a fraction of the cost. With a wide variety of patterns and colors, stamped concrete has become the go to for pool decks and outdoor living spaces. People are even using it for sidewalks and designer driveways!
Not only can they be cost effective compared to a classic paver laid exterior finish, but they offer superior durability due to mass, less maintenance with no plants growing between, and they are less likely to settle or sag with the land as rain and other exterior erosion factors sculpt the area they were laid on. Are you considering a stamped concrete walkway for your home or business, maybe read some of the top pros and cons that come with each pour. Or even call us today to set up your free consultation!
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Pros and Cons
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Pros: The number 1 pro of a stamped concrete surface, is the:
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Cons: The top con of such an obviously great product is:
- Not DIY friendly, using the stamps and additive can be a job only for a trained professional
- Minor cracks tend to develop as soil shifts
- Periodic cleaning and resealing is an absolute must
- Damage from freeze/thaw cycle can be inevitable
- repairs are often not as straightforward as other methods of concrete work
Design options
As mentioned in the pros column, stamped concrete comes with endless die and pattern options. Between the two areas of customization, you can bet we can make your style happen! From an aesthetic standpoint, imprinted concrete can be a hard one to beat, many clients of ours pull their inspiration from the landscaping itself, and even old paver patterns that they may have seen. Whether it's a herringbone pattern or they want a more natural stone look, we can accommodate. You can't go wrong with a solid stamped concrete surface, it is only going to increase your homes architectural appeal and value!
This patio is made up of not only different color dyes, but of different patterened stamps as well.
This is a classic slate look with a darker border, subtle but always a great addition.
These steps are made of stamped concrete set to look exactly like stone, you be the judge!
What does stamped concrete cost?
Every market will be different for stamped concrete, also depending on the dyes, complexity of patters, and how many patterns and borders you may be mixing. Some easy jobs that are one color and one stamp, can start at around $18 dollars per square foot, and with added complexity some can get as high as $35 per square foot. And how does it compare to stone or pavers? There really is no comparison, stone will start at around $25 a square foot on the low end and pavers begin to cost around $50 per square foot just to start
Overall when thinking of stamped concrete, Los Angeles has a a ton of great concrete contractors to choose from, but make sure you get a quote for some of the top!