What's New:
Time to Schedule
February 06, 2012
Now is the time to line up your project for 2012. Call Tod or Kathy today for a consultation:
810-987-3765
Recent Events:
December 16, 2011
After a very wet and challenging year of 2011, we are finishing up our final
jobs. Thank you to all our customers we were able to serve this year!
Looking forward to another great year in 2012.
(10% showers that day pictured turned to 4 hours of heavy
drizzle...great stamped patio was the result in the end though)
Stamped Decorative Concrete
Stamped concrete is concrete that is patterned to resemble brick, slate,
flagstone, stone, tile- and even wood. Stamped concrete can be used to beautify
pool decks, driveways, entries and courtyards, and patios.
Due to the wide array of patterns and colors available, and the cost of stamped
concrete in relation to the materials stamped concrete is a substitute for, the
choice of stamped concrete is becoming more popular and frequent.
Colors and patterns for stamped concrete are often chosen to blend with other
stone or tile elements at the residence. Designs incorporating steps,
courtyards, and built-in grills can be achieved. Stamped concrete can also be
blended with other decorative concrete elements such as exposed aggregate
finishes and acid-etch staining. Stamped concrete is also very cost effective as
it is usually 1/3 less the price of installing natural materials.
Does
Stamped Concrete Fade?
Cleaning and sealing stamped and colored concrete should be done on a regular
basis just like any other home maintenance. The frequency will depend on how
high a traffic area to cars, foot traffic, water, and any chemicals the concrete
is exposed to.
We recommend resealing every 2 or 3 years. If you wait longer, you may notice
the color fade slightly. But just like waxing a car, reseal your stamped
concrete and the color will be as vibrant as the day it was installed. If color
fades, there are ways to renew it, but keeping it sealed is your best defense.
Is stamped concrete durable enough to withstand Michigan winter?
Again, installed by experienced craftsmen, stamped concrete is more durable and
will last longer than any other type of masonry installation! Whereas
traditional pavers and cobblestone settle unevenly during the freeze/thaw cycle
of winter, stamped concrete is reinforced with wire mesh, right in the middle of
the concrete. This reinforcement gives the concrete the necessary strength to
resist the constant heaving produced by the freezing and thawing of the ground.
Stamped concrete is also better than pavers and cobblestone in the Spring and
Summer. Pavers and cobblestones are susceptible to joint deterioration if sand
is not constantly brushed into all the joints. This joint deterioration results
in ant hills, growth of unsightly grass and weeds and produces dangerous
tripping hazards when the individual pavers settle unevenly. Stamped concrete is
one monolithic placement of concrete eliminating full depth joints thus no ant
hills or weeds to worry about! Salt eats ALL types of masonry installations
including concrete. During the winter, use sand only.
Patterns
Ashlar Slate
Random Stone
Running Bond Brick
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Colored Concrete with a Swirl Finish
Decorative Concrete Photo Gallery
