I love looking at images of our franchisees projects. They do an amazing job of transforming outdoor spaces into absolutely beautiful retreats. The other day I was on the phone with a franchisee that was showing me an image of what I thought was a flagstone patio. Come to find out, it was concrete. I was floored. It looked so much like flagstone that it took him a little time to convince me otherwise.
Working with Archadeck Outdoor Living I’ve learned a lot about stamped concrete patios and its uses and why it’s a great option for a lot of homeowners. The possibilities, like with so many other outdoor living options, are endless when it comes to concrete patios, driveways, walkways and more.
Stamping concrete became popular in the 1970s as a budget friendly option for homeowners to expand their outdoor living spaces. Since then, the options for colors and finishes have expanded exponentially while it still remains a cost effective finish for many properties.
Paver patios, although beautiful, can be expensive. For homeowners that want the beauty without the price, concrete is a viable alternative. Concrete, like I mentioned in the title, is the chameleon of the patio world as it can take on the look of other materials including flagstone, slate, tile, brick and even wood. So how do patio builders achieve the final look? They do it through coloring and stamping the concrete.
When I think of concrete, my mind goes to the bland grey color, a far cry from the look of tile or brick. A base color, in the form of color hardener powder, is added to the concrete to dye it the right color. Concrete takes color well and can be as vibrant as the client wants. Accent colors are then added to produce the texture. It can come in both powder and liquid forms.
The stamp itself is the key to transforming the concrete into another material when looking at it. Most stamps are made of polyurethane and pushed into the top of the concrete shortly after it’s poured and before it dries. Once dried, the concrete can be stained for more color or accents or sealed to help hold up against the elements.
Stamped concrete has been used both indoors and out for years. If you are interested in learning more about stamped concrete, contact your local Archadeck Outdoor Living office.