Stamped & Decorative Concrete
Real Help Decorative Concrete specializes in the installation of stamped concrete. In recent years, technology advancements have allowed stamped concrete to take on my many different aesthetic values and is the reason stamped concrete is now the most popular form of decorative exterior surfaces! From slate, to brick, to even wood, stamped concrete can enhance any exterior space.
Stamped Concrete Explained...
There are a multitude of varieties of end results that can be achieved when installing stamped concrete. Although there are many various final products, the process in which all stamped concrete is achieved is very similar.
Ensuring Long-Lasting Quality...
In order for stamped concrete, or any concrete for that matter to stand the test of time, your prep work that is completed prior to concrete installation is key. There are two main types of reinforcement that is used within new installed concrete. Wire mesh and fiber mesh. Some contractors use just wire, some use just fiber, however, Real Help Concrete has experienced that the use of both products is the best process and will help aid in the structural stability of your concrete project. So in short, using both a structural steel reinforcing agent like wire mesh, and an a fiber mesh which bonds the entire depth of the concrete together, is the best practice. Once your concrete project is installed, there is still work to be done. Maintaining your stamped concrete project is really no different than any other household investment you make. Most projects require some sort of maintenance, and your stamped concrete is no different. Stamped concrete can be beautiful for years after it is installed, as long as it is cared for in the proper manner. Your concrete is initially sealed by Real Help Concrete after your project is installed. Although we put two coats on initially, because the concrete is freshly poured and porous, it soaks up those initial coats of sealer over the first winter. We recommend that you get your concrete project re-sealed the following year after installation, and then every other year thereafter. The average cost of re-seals is rather affordable, and better than the alternative of having to replace your concrete project after ten years because it wasn’t maintained properly. Visit our sister company, Buffalo Concrete Sealing for more information about re-sealing your stamped concrete project!
Choosing Your Pattern...
There are several factors to consider when deciding on what stamp pattern to choose for your concrete project. Out of all the things to consider, we believe Size and Intended Use are the two most important, when deciding what stamp pattern to use for your decorative concrete project. If you are looking at installing a pool surround or a patio for gathering space, a larger pattern is recommended. Especially when patio furniture and other items will be placed on the surface. Using a large pattern, such as Stone of Athens or Royal Ashlar, you will get less pattern seems throughout which will allow your items to sit easier on the surface of the concrete. If you are installing a walkway, it is possible to go with a smaller, more aggressive pattern. The walkway will most likely only be used for walking and won’t have anything sitting on it for a long duration of time. Choosing a smaller, more aggressive pattern may be a good option for a stamped concrete walkway. What you intend on using the space for also will play a part in the pattern you choose. If it is a large gathering space that will have a lot of foot traffic and sitting area, we would recommend going with a larger, more textured stamp. If the area is going to be used simply for walking, or if it is a smaller space that will be accented with a fire feature or a seat wall, we recommend going with a smaller, more aggressive pattern or a seamless texture skin that will allow the accents around the area to compliment each other.
As stamped concrete continues to evolve annually, the amount of patterns and surface options continue to increase. Real Help Concrete prides itself on being the cutting edge for decorative concrete technology in the area. We are ever-evolving to ensure our clients are getting the best product for their money! Currently, we offer 12 different stamped patterns, and are constantly looking to increase the amount of surface options we offer!
Choosing the Right Color…
The color options for stamped concrete are virtually endless with a plethora of various color combinations available. There are several colors that must be considered when referring to stamped concrete. There are two color choices that MUST be chosen when finalizing your stamped concrete project. These two colors are your concrete color and your release agent color. Although very different, both of these color choices work in unison to create the final overall color of your stamped concrete project. The concrete color is the color the concrete is as it comes off the concrete truck. While ordering the concrete for your project, our crew leader informs the concrete plant dispatcher the color we desire. Once we are ready for concrete, the color is then added at the concrete plant, mixed thoroughly, and shows up at your house the appropriate color. Once the concrete is poured and finished, before the stamping process begins, a release powder is applied across the entire surface of the stamped concrete. This release agent accomplishes two specific things during the stamping process. When installing your stamped concrete, it requires us to place the pattern mats, and then walk across those mats to ensure the imprint of the pattern. During this process, our body weight causes moisture to rise to the surface of the concrete. The application of the release agent allows us to release the stamp from the surface of the concrete, while leaving the proper impression of the stamp pattern behind. Second, the release applies an accent color that accents the highs and the lows of the stamp, offering a realistic and aesthetically pleasing final result.
