Glamour Pool and Spa is your source for stamped concrete patios, stamped pool decks, stamped walkways, and stamped drive ways that can really enhance your home. It is a great alternative to traditional broom finished concrete or pavers. Stamped concrete, commonly referred to as patterned concrete or imprinted concrete, is concrete that is designed to resemble brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile and even wood. In this section you will see how stamped concrete can be used to beautify pool decks, driveways, entries, courtyards, and patios.
(See some of our projects by clicking- Stamped Concrete Gallery)
Due to the wide array of options when it comes to concrete pattern, concrete colors, and the cost of stamped, or imprinted concrete in relation to the materials it is a substitute for, the choice of stamped concrete is becoming more popular and frequent.
Colors and patterns for stamped cement are often chosen to blend with other stone, tile or patterned concrete elements at the residence.
Concrete provides the perfect canvas for creating an economical replica of more expensive materials, and yet still maintaining a very natural, authentic look.
Stamped Concrete versus Other Paving Materials
Decorative stamped concrete offers a number of advantages that other paving materials can't match, particularly when it comes to design versatility. Here, we compare stamped concrete with some of the alternatives.
| Asphalt | Natural Stone | Precast Pavers | Stamped Concrete | |
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Available in an array of patterns and colors
With countless color |
No | No | Yes | Unlimited |
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Longevity and performance Like conventional concrete, stamped concrete will provide decades of service when properly installed and maintained, even when exposed to harsh winter weather. Adding steel reinforcement or wire mesh will augment the strength and help to control cracking. |
Poor | Good | Good | Excellent |
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Speed of installation Unlike stone or precast pavers, stamped concrete can be poured or pumped into place without the need to lift and place individual units. It takes about five days to install a 2,000-square-foot stamped concrete driveway vs. 10 to 12 days to install natural stone or pavers.* |
Fast | Slow | Slow | Moderate |
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Ability to customize Some manufacturers produce custom stamps that allow you to imprint logos or other one-of-a-kind designs. |
No | No | No | Yes |
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Special maintenance requirements All of these paving materials, including concrete, will require removal of dirt or stains when necessary by scrubbing or pressure washing (see How to Protect and Maintain Stamped Concrete.) |
Annual seal coating | Removal of weeds and moss that grow in the joints; refilling joints with sand as needed. | Removal of weeds and moss that grow in the joints; refilling joints with sand as needed. | Resealing every few years or as needed to protect the surface from stains and maintain color vibrancy. |
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Average cost per square foot installed* Depends on the complexity of the job. More elaborate stamped concrete installations will cost more (see Stamped Concrete Cost). |
$2 - $2.50 | $25 and up | $4 - $20 |
$8 - $20 |
UNI-MIX® Integral Concrete Colors
Uni-Mix® Integral Color is packaged in repulpable bags for accurate and convenient
color of concrete. Simply toss the bag into the mixer; 1 bag for each cubic yard of
concrete. Uni-Mix® Integral Colorant contains dispersants and wetting agents which
reduce the water demand of the pigments. This increases the strength of the concrete while allowing the color to mix quickly and evenly.
Uni-Mix® Integral Color is available in 24 Standard Colors. Custom colors and color matching are also available.
Due to variances in monitors colors should not be selected from this
website alone as they may not accurately depict actual colors.
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PERMA-CAST® Antiquing Release Colors |
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Perma-Cast® Antiquing Release Colors are dusted over the surface of freshly colored concrete flatwork before using a pattern-stamping tool. The release agent prevents the tool from sticking to newly colored, freshly stamped concrete. As the tool is pulled from the concrete the colored release powder is layered into the textured surfaces of the concrete. Upon washing and sealing, the difference in color between the underlying concrete and the release creates a visually attractive, antiqued look to the concrete. The added color gives the appearance of depth. The amount of release agent imparted will vary with job site conditions. The final results will range between the color of the base concrete and that of the antiquing release. The surface must be sealed and maintained to preserve its antiqued appearance over time.* |
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Due to variances in monitors colors should not be selected from this |
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