Stamped Concrete Tampa has always been a popular option in home and business building construction. This type of concrete has stood the test of time due to its durability, ability to mimic many other materials, and ease of application. The term stamped concrete can also be used to describe any concrete surface with a pattern that has been imprinted. These patterns can be random or repetitive in nature.
Stamped concrete has come a long way from the original wooden slabs used as driveway stepping stones. Now, homeowners and businesses can enjoy the beauty of stamped concrete as stepping stones or as accents to their concrete surfaces. Stamped concrete has grown in popularity over the years and has become an increasingly popular alternative to precast pavers. It provides homeowners and builders with the opportunity to mimic the look of natural stone while conserving energy and money at the same time.
Stamped concrete has a wide variety of different textures and designs, but comes in mostly two basic forms: stamped concrete and stamped pavers. Stamped concrete uses stamp molds to apply patterns to precast or poured materials. For example, a border could be stamped onto stamped pavers to create a border that is reflective of both brick and stone materials. Other types of stamped concrete patterns include cross-hatched, fruit, flower, star, heart, light, rain, and a multitude of others. Other than the basic texture and pattern, stamped concrete has no other irregularities in its surface.
Stamped stone is a form of stamped concrete, but instead is applied to concrete slabs in its flat state. Unlike stamped concrete, stamped stone patterns of variation in texture, and are typically irregular in shape. There are no color choices available with stamped stone, but colors can be added to a stone surface through a process known as blacktop application. In addition to color choices, blacktop applications can be done with embossing, debossing, or stippling.
The most common types of stamped concrete or stone patterns are those that imitate brick and stone features such as: sunburst, arch, string, slab, tiled, block, V, door, base, barn, kitchen, stair, mailbox, and many more. Some of these patterns can even be made to look like materials such as slate or tile. These include brick, ceramic tile, stone, granite, limestone, marble, and slate. However, there are some restrictions for using these materials in residential projects, such as needing approval from the local board of zoning or building regulations.
The two most popular patterns chosen for stamped concrete and stone patterns are those that replicate features found in natural stone patterns such as: flagstone and granite. While it is true that flagstone and granites are much cheaper than natural stone patterns, they still require a lot of labor to install. Granite is the most labor-intensive of natural stone patterns because of the amount of labor required to cut, smooth, and install the stones. It is also the strongest and most difficult to work with, making it a poor choice for small to medium-sized projects.
One way to avoid the extra labor and expense of installing natural stone patios or driveways is to use stamped concrete and stone materials instead. They offer the same visual appeal and durability, but at a much lower price. The stamped concrete and driveways used for both inside and outside backyards are constructed from a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material that is resistant to chipping and cracking. This material also resists moisture, which eliminates the need to water seal the surface of the driveway. This allows the homeowner to have warmer outdoor days, yet the driveway will remain protected from moisture.
Many homeowners also choose stamped concrete and driveways because of the many color options that they can choose from. From subtle color choices to vibrant color options, homeowners have a wide variety of color choices to choose from when choosing concrete for their exterior remodeling projects. There are a number of sealers on the market that will help maintain the color options that the homeowner has chosen. This is a great way to add curb appeal and keep the project maintenance-free.