Stamped Concrete Installation Process Explained
The process: The first step in creating our beautiful stamped concrete is to add the base color. There are several methods to adding base color. It can be added throughout the concrete by adding the pigment to the mix within the truck, in this way the entire lot of material is colored through and through. This is called integrally coloring.
However, the use of color hardener is a more popular method because it has the advantage of hardening the top layer of concrete. With color hardener, the base color is only added to the surface, about 3/16 down. The powdered color hardener is added as soon as the concrete is floated for the first time. Bleed water is then allowed to soak into the hardener which is then floated and troweled in. This gives the surface of your stamped concrete a much longer wear life.
The second step in creating our stamped concrete is adding the accent color or “color release”. The purpose of the accent color is to add texture and depth to the concrete as well as to highlight additional building materials such as grout. It also serves the purpose of keeping the concrete stamp from sticking to the concrete in the 3rd step.
The color release can either be in liquid or powdered form.
The final step is using a concrete stamp to create a pattern in the freshly poured concrete. This is done after the addition of the color release. The purpose of the concrete stamp is to create the natural shape of whatever stone or material it is being made to mimic (flagstone, brick, natural stone, etc.).
Most modern concrete stamps are made of polyurethane which has the capability of producing a natural looking effect. The concrete stamps are pushed into the concrete as it is drying and then removed to leave the desired effect.
These are just the basics! We have been in the concrete stamping business for years and have perfected the art and craftsmanship of the trade. Along the way, we have developed our own unique approaches with proprietary techniques and modern design. We truly love what we do.
For us, stamped concrete is an art and we pride ourselves in creating one-of-a-kind artisan concrete results. We can transform your walkway into an English cobblestone path, or even match the local organic feel of your area with natural shaping and acid staining techniques.
However, the use of color hardener is a more popular method because it has the advantage of hardening the top layer of concrete. With color hardener, the base color is only added to the surface, about 3/16 down. The powdered color hardener is added as soon as the concrete is floated for the first time. Bleed water is then allowed to soak into the hardener which is then floated and troweled in. This gives the surface of your stamped concrete a much longer wear life.
The second step in creating our stamped concrete is adding the accent color or “color release”. The purpose of the accent color is to add texture and depth to the concrete as well as to highlight additional building materials such as grout. It also serves the purpose of keeping the concrete stamp from sticking to the concrete in the 3rd step.
The color release can either be in liquid or powdered form.
The final step is using a concrete stamp to create a pattern in the freshly poured concrete. This is done after the addition of the color release. The purpose of the concrete stamp is to create the natural shape of whatever stone or material it is being made to mimic (flagstone, brick, natural stone, etc.).
Most modern concrete stamps are made of polyurethane which has the capability of producing a natural looking effect. The concrete stamps are pushed into the concrete as it is drying and then removed to leave the desired effect.
These are just the basics! We have been in the concrete stamping business for years and have perfected the art and craftsmanship of the trade. Along the way, we have developed our own unique approaches with proprietary techniques and modern design. We truly love what we do.
For us, stamped concrete is an art and we pride ourselves in creating one-of-a-kind artisan concrete results. We can transform your walkway into an English cobblestone path, or even match the local organic feel of your area with natural shaping and acid staining techniques.