As the saying goes ‘Face is the index of mind’ Stamped concrete or concrete driveways are the indexes for an aesthetic home. Stamped concrete is one of those home modernizing trends that seems to be catching fire, do not worry all for good reasons. There was a time when only expensive commercial applications looked decent. Recently, though, new texturing and pattern trends allow homeowners to establish it to their exteriors.
Installing Driveways Or Patios Can Be Tricky
They are not as easy as they appear. So installing driveways is work best left to the pros. That’s why it is best to rope in an established concrete contractor Denver, as they have some quality pros in the business. Some important factors to consider while laying a driveway:
- Variety in decorative options
- Maintenance
- Ease of repair
- Longevity
- A classy look
Why not go to real, original surfaces like brick, pavers, and cobbles? They look good, but since they form an exterior of many interlocking pieces, they are susceptible to changes in the underlying surfaces. Whereas, in stamped concrete the reinforcing rods within the stamped concrete help to tie the pavement together and strengthen it.
The Process
Stamped concrete involves pouring slab concrete for walkways, driveways, and patios. Although there are different types of driveway or patio materials ‘concrete’ is the favored material for driveways considering their strength and longevity. Also, they require very little maintenance. Now, one can become indecisive because plain concrete can be dull in appearance. But it is fairly common knowledge that concrete driveways can be colored and embossed to various other patterns and textures.
Where Things Can Usually Go Wrong
Proper ground preparation and leveling is often neglected. The surface has to be leveled to prevent any low or high spots, and the cement paste has to be brought to the surface to permit a well-defined imprint. Concrete placement should be no less than four inches thick. The color is added either in the mixer or after concrete placement. The earliest method is known as “integral coloring,” and the following method is known as “broadcast or surface coloring.” The surface coloring is carried out by evenly spreading dry color across the surface of the concrete. It must be left to dry for 24hours.
Advantages You Can Expect
Also, cobbles, bricks, and pavers give blessing for weed to grow up through the cracks in between the interlocking pieces. One more advantage of stamped concrete is that it can have any number of colors, textures, and patterns. With skillful professional finishing, stamped concrete should have an aesthetic exterior. To accomplish cost cutting few companies bring in unskilled labors or try to cut corners which will completely ruin the classy appearance. Finishing is the most important part in stamped concrete.
The process of laying stamped concrete is almost an art. Not only that, but special tools and an experienced crew are needed. So find a good concrete contractor who has experience in laying stamped concrete.
