You may have asked yourself whether stamped and patterned concrete are different while researching ways to improve your home. Many homeowners find that the terms stamped concrete and patterned concrete are used interchangeably. Is there a difference between these two concrete products? No, the simple answer is that patterned concrete is a trademarked term and the name of a company that provides stamped concrete.
The confusion between the terms patterned and stamped concrete is understandable. Especially when you consider how stamped concrete is made and what the final product looks like. Stamped concrete is concrete that has been stamped to create a pattern. “Patterned concrete” describes what the product looks like and stamped concrete alludes to how the pattern was created.
How is Stamped Concrete Made?
The first few step involved in installing stamped concrete include laying the concrete. After preparing the ground and pouring the concrete, the process of creating stamped concrete gets more creative.
Colour is applied, sometimes in two steps as a primary colour and an accent colour. Once this colour has been added, the stamping process begins. By pressing stamps into the concrete, patterns can be imprinted into the concrete while it is still wet.
Why Choose Stamped Concrete?
Stamped concrete can be made to resemble brick, tile, slate, stone or even wood. This makes stamped concrete an excellent alternative to other materials, which are more expensive and often require more maintenance. Since it is customizable and economical, stamped concrete is a great way to add to your home’s curb appeal or to transform your backyard into a unique haven.
Should I Do It Myself?
This article glosses over the finer points of stamped concrete installation. Unless you have experience in installing concrete you may find it difficult to prepare the ground which is vital to the concrete’s structural integrity. Additionally, even those homeowners who are familiar with regular concrete will encounter new challenges when trying to install stamped concrete.
The chief difficulty is that all the colouring and patterning must be accomplished in a limited time frame. The stamps must be pressed into the concrete before it dries. This short time frame means that to install stamped concrete you must have a plan, be organized and work efficiently. Working too slowly or being uncertain of the application of the patterns will give away that your concrete is an imitation. Making a mistake is even worse. You’ll either have to live with it or shell out cash for an expensive repair.
When you hire a professional you are delegating these challenges to an expert. Their experience equips them to face these challenges. They have experience working with stamped concrete and ensuring it’s laid right the first time.
Keep Researching!
Now that the difference (or rather, lack thereof) between stamped concrete and patterned concrete is clear you are one step closer to your home improvement goals. But keep exploring all the different options that stamped concrete allows – you’ll find there are many projects that could benefit from this unique concrete.
