Update Your Outdoors with Stamped Concrete

by Yours Tyleau Webmaster

One way to update the look of your drive, patio or pool area is to invest in stamped concrete. Perfect for any outdoor space, stamped concrete can replicate the look of bricks, stone or tiles and is often installed by Northern Beach builders to replace old hard landscaping.

It also gives you the option to get creative with colours and patterns, so let’s take a look why it’s becoming so popular.

A Modern Alternative for All Homes

Stamped concrete has been around since the 1950s; however, since then, the technique used for both making the concrete and creating the patterns has improved significantly.

It’s easy to lay; the contractor simply pours a slab of concrete and then pushes down on a stamp to create the pattern as the concrete is drying. Colour can be added in several phases, with base colours incorporated in the initial mix and highlighters added as the mixture dries.

This kind of hardscaping is far less labour-intensive than other methods such as tiling and brick paving; plus, if correctly sealed and maintained, will last for decades.

A Cost-Effective Alternative to Natural Stone, Brick or Tiles

Builders across Northern Beaches report that homeowners are choosing this kind of surface as it proves to be a cost-effective alternative to other hard landscaping materials such as natural stone, brick and tiles. Furthermore, the wide range of colours, patterns and textures gives you flexibility to create a personalised look for your outdoor space.

Gives the Option to Create Custom Flooring

While the cost of your new hard standing will depend on the amount of detail you add, the type of colours you use and the location, the versatility of this material allows skilled concrete contractors to build in distinctive features such as custom logos or emblems, curves and blended colourways.

It’s a far call from the traditional idea of concrete – with its smooth grey surface – as it can be fashioned to replicate everything from stone and slate to tiles and brick pavers.

Concrete Overlays

If you already have an existing concrete surface that needs updating, a decorative overlay of concrete can be applied, if the surface is in good condition.

This means you can update your boring grey driveway or patio area with a surface in whatever pattern and colour you desire.

What Kind of Problems Arise with Stamped Concrete?

Just like any other kind of concrete, concrete that’s been stamped is still subject to cracking over time.

You also need to bear in mind that there may be imperfections in the finished surface; it may mimic stone, wood or tiles but it’s not an exact replacement. There may be cracks, dips in the surface and uneven colouring.

For this reason, you should ensure that you use contractors who are specialists in this concrete laying techniques and who can show you examples of their previous work.