Stamped Concrete and Regular Concrete - What's the Difference Between Them?

I'm a concrete contractor and I talk to many people out estimating and looking at work for my business. Often people think stamped concrete is totally unique of regular concrete and it's an entirely different product. That is somewhat true, however the basics of the two are the same plus they are usually specified exactly the same, when used in exactly the same application. For instance, if stamped concrete or regular concrete is used for a driveway, they will generally function as same thickness and also have exactly the same design strength.

Regular concrete can be your everyday concrete used in sidewalks, driveways, patios, roads, and anytime regular pavement is constructed. It's generally positioned on some type of gravel or native soil base that's compacted. The region is then formed with lumber or manufactured forms. Reinforcement is usually installed in the base that is usually rebar or wire mesh. The concrete is specified to a desired thickness which is designed for its application. For example, a driveway that handles car and light trucks is usually poured four inches thick. The concrete mix is also specified which is usually a 4000 psi mix within areas which have severe winters. That's the strength the concrete reaches in 28 days. Concrete is placed, striked off, bull floated then gets a non slip finish, such as a broom. After that, the concrete is cured with either water and burlap, or the easy way with a membrane forming curing compound.

Stamped concrete is quite similarly placed to regular concrete. Generally all of the steps are the same except the finishing steps. The concrete can be colored which is usually put into the mix. It is also colored with a color hardener, but most contractors use an integral color. After bull floating is when things the procedure changes with stamped concrete. Some contractors go one step further and trowel the concrete to get the concrete really smooth. We use air entrained concrete in our area as a result of harsh winters, which isn't supposed to be troweled so we usually just obtain it smooth as possible with a magnesium bull float. After the concrete sets to a desired hardness, the concrete is imprinted with the rubber like stamps. A release agent which is an antiquing colored release, or liquid release agent is used to keep the stamps from sticking to the concrete. Some contractors will put curing paper on the concrete to cure it till the next day when the concrete will undoubtedly be washed and sealed with a higher gloss sealer which is also a membrane forming cure.

So to conclude stamped and  Check out here , there is not much difference between your two other than what they appear to be on the surface. Lots of people they think stamped concrete is simply not as durable as regular concrete and that is not the case. The thing that could ensure it is less durable is the texture of the stamped concrete. In an environment that gets snow, stamped concrete will get damaged by snow removal equipment like snow plows.