Nowadays, almost all homes and commercial properties probably have these decorative floorings. Outdoor floorings now are not complete without catching any hint of stamping on their surfaces.
How long does stamped concrete last, you might ask. Doesn’t it get old? Definitely not! So why stamped concrete? Take a look back at how this timeless outdoor flooring started and found home among local homes.
Today’s article is the best place to start with your stamped story. Read on and uncover the facts from the myths surrounding the decorative concrete floors.
A Brief Overview: The Stamped Story
Where did it all begin?
Concrete stamp’s origins date way back in the days of yore. It has been around for ages, stretched with cement, the main ingredient of the concrete flooring recipe. Cement has been faithful to its long-time friend, outdoor flooring, with its first appearance on the streets of Ohio, USA.
Decorative concrete since the 1800s
From the streets grew buildings and so on. During the years from 1890 to 1920, intricate designs around buildings became a trend. The term precast became a thing using stains and colorings to give life to a plain, nude concrete surfacing.
Thus, decorative concrete grew into a whole brand of decorating business, turning plain bare surfaces into its product.
Myths vs. Facts About Concrete Stamps
Myth #1: Stamped Concrete is Boring and Outdated
Only because stamped floors’ main component is cement, many think at first that the decorative stamps or patterned concrete Dallas appear plain, nude, and boring-grey.
That is not true at all.
FACT: Stamped Concrete Comes with Colors
In 1915 came a young man, Scofield, who manufactured colors. These coloring materials became the core of decorative concrete.
Stamping concrete involves a necessary process where coloring is added to the cement mix.
Myth #2: Stamped Concrete Color fades and needs reapplication every year
Some think that they need to re-apply concrete coloring. Colored concrete will show a chalky or faded appearance. That is how they probably think that stamped concrete needs re-coloring every year. But it’s not that often.
FACT: Concrete colors are permanent
Decorative concrete techniques such as stamping are made to last! What expert installers do today is that they finish the concrete with sealers. It comes naturally with integral colors. Thus concrete colors are permanent.
By adding these sealers, the faded look of the concrete coloring becomes vibrant. These sealers do not need reapplication in a year. You can wait until 3 to 5 years or more before you need the top coating again.
Myth #3: Stamped Concrete creates unevenness where one side is often flatter
This myth came from the idea that the farther side of the concrete becomes harder during the stamping process. And there is some truth here.
But what happens here precisely is that some who try DIY stamping lack the speed and precision to work on the stamps as fast and efficiently as experts do.
FACT: Expert Installers stamps with speed and precision
The question now is how they can do it? Concrete Contractor Dallas TX experts will work on specific area sizes. They stamp their way through the concrete with precision and a systemic process. They do not just randomly stamp the surface.
Myth #4- Stamped Concrete is Slippery
NO! It is not true at all. We’ll explain the facts behind it later.
For now, what makes this a popular myth is the loof of finished stamped concrete. The process is not complete without finishing the flooring with additives or sealers that bring a glossy look.
Compare this process with varnishing a wood to make the rough texture look smooth and sealed. Stamping does the same.
FACT: Stamped Concrete is NOT slippery
Remember the facts and myths mentioned above? The process always ends with a type of sealer.
Aside from locking in the colors, the sealers also create non-skid surfaces. The stamped patterns also lock in additional traction on the surface, making it non-slip.
Remember this name, Brad Bowman. Thanks to his bright ideas, stamped concrete now became the star of various properties.
Stamping patterns emerged in every facade, greeting everyone as they entered one’s home or business space.
