About Stamped Concrete

What is stamped concrete?

Stamped Concrete is concrete that is colored and imprinted to look like different kinds of stone, brick, or tile. Urethane stamps are laid onto the wet concrete surface, which leaves behind the impression on the stamp. Concrete is usually more of a cost value than real brick, stone, or pavers. It lasts longer and the look can be artistically altered by mixing colors and/or staining. Different stamps may be used along borders to add interest and individual preferences.

There is a wide range of colors available and multiple colors may also be used. The color is applied before the stamps make the impressions in either one of two ways. The first way is to throw on the color by hand using a color hardener. It is worked into the concrete with a float and usually is applied in two coats. The advantage of the thrown on color is that there are more colors to choose from. The other method is when the color is added directly into the drum of the concrete truck. The advantage of this method is that the entire depth of the concrete is the same color so if there is a chip in the concrete, the same color is underneath. However, the colors are limited and more muted. If the job is large, or if there are many areas difficult to reach by hand, it is often recommended/required to choose a color that can be put in the truck because it saves time and leaves less room for error (i.e. concrete setting up too fast and preventing the stamps from making good impressions).

After the color of the concrete is applied, a “release” agent, which also has color, is then added to the top. The job of this process is two-fold. This agent works as a barrier to prevent the stamp from sticking to the surface of the concrete, and it also provides an accent color. The color can be darker or lighter than the base color of the concrete, depending on what color is desired for the final outcome. The release can either be in liquid or powder form. The powder form leaves more color, which usually settles in the grout area and the nooks and crannies of the stamp impression. The liquid leaves very subtle accents. On the day of stamping, the concrete will be left to dry with the release on top, effectively hiding the colors of the final outcome. During the washing process, much of the release will come off.

Stamped concrete can also be stained with a variety of colors. After the concrete has cured and the release agent has been washed off, random stones can be chosen to be stained. This is an added feature, which makes each area artistically your own. There is an additional fee for staining. The final color of the stain varies depending on what color concrete the stain is being applied to. When Terra Cotta stain is applied over concrete with no color added, it will appear one way. If it is applied to concrete that had a color such as Platinum Gray or Arizona Tan added to it, the final color will appear different each time.

After it has dried for at least one day, a sealer is applied. The entire job is usually a 3-4 day process (not always in succession), depending on the weather and the size of the job. One day to prep, one or two days to pour the concrete and stamp, and one day to clean up and seal is customary. No one must be allowed to walk on the surface while it is drying and until 24 hours after it has been sealed. Vehicle traffic must stay off the sealer for 72 hours and it’s recommended that no vehicles drive over freshly poured concrete for at least a week.

The sealer will darken the concrete and really make the colors stand out.

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What does sealer do and why should I reapply it every 12-24 months?

Sealer is designed for curing and sealing stamped concrete.

Sealer:

• Seals and protects the surface
• Reduces surface staining (from materials such as oil, grease & food spills)
• Enhances color depth and variation
• Non-yellowing and UV resistant
• Environmentally friendly
• Air quality - VOC compliant

Overtime, the color can begin to look faded due to foot/vehicle traffic and the sun. The need for maintenance applications will be accelerated in areas of heavy use or that receive frequent or aggressive cleaning. For maximum benefit, your stamped concrete should be re-sealed every 12-24 months.

It needs to be a professional sealer, not one readily availale at a home improvement store. It should be professional applied for best results, although an aggressive homeowner could tackle this job if desired.

We would be happy to re-seal your concrete for a modest fee.

Extras: (inquire about pricing)

• Staining – individual “stones” can be stained one or more colors (ask to see chart)
• Caulking – control cuts can be caulked to fill in lines

What the customer needs to know and do.

• ***IMPORTANT***  It is impossible to “exactly” replicate a look in a picture or another stamped concrete job; each area of stamped concrete is unique to itself. TAM Concrete Color & Design, LLC will do its best to get the exact design & color desired, but we are not responsible if the final product looks different from what the customer thought it would. The customer must appreciate and understand that stamped concrete is an art form and not an exact science. Nor is it factory made; each handmade stamped concrete surface will have some imperfections.
• Access to an outside water spigot will be necessary for cleaning tools and other purposes. Please have it turned on.
• Heavy and noisy equipment may be used.
• If an area is in the back of the building, and is inaccessible to the concrete truck, the concrete will most likely be wheel-barrowed or a buggy-type vehicle may be used. This will make some small indentations on any grass it may go over. However, no permanent damage will be caused and the grass usually goes back to normal after a few rains.
• Please move cars out of the driveway on construction days so our truck and the concrete truck will have easy access.
• Cured concrete may develop random, non-moving hairline cracks. The cracks tend to be non-structural that only affect the concrete surface and result from the natural shrinkage of the concrete. All attempts are made to minimize any type of cracking. We always make “control cuts,” which minimized the chance of cracking. Imperfections are part of the appeal. In fact, hairline cracks and slight irregularities are a natural part of the wear and tear and will not affect the structural integrity in the slightest (such fine cracks are also too narrow to trap debris). And while hairline cracks can be patched, such attempts often look far more obvious than the cracks themselves. Most people prefer the aged appearance that this natural occurrence bestows.
• Our commitment: Every effort is made to keep on a schedule; barring any weather related delays or emergencies.
• Feel free to ask any questions before, during, or after your job is complete.