Concrete craftsmanship has gone through some major changes in the past few years. Unlike the standard but very trustworthy concrete of old, todays concrete has put on a whole new face. Thanks to continuing advances including innovative forming, stamping and texturing tools, new placement and finishing techniques; concrete has truly come of age.
This category focuses on the many new faces of decorative concrete finishing available today. Colors, textures, patterns, and alternative practices allow concrete to be seen and used in the most interesting and artistic ways.
Stamped concrete is an innovative process that replicates the look of natural stonework and masonry by applying color and texturing techniques to freshly placed concrete.
Stamping concrete is an art and a science thus requiring advanced concrete placement skills as well as proper tools and materials.The process involves applying texture and color to cast-in-place concrete using various methods and tools. The most common method is to "stamp" the pattern ortexture into the concrete when it is still in a semi-plastic state by using "concrete stamps".
These stamps are either rigid (similar to a cookie cutter that creates a pattern only) or are in the form of a "stamp mat",(usually made of rubber or hard plastic) that is used to create a pattern and texture.
The stamps are usually applied to concrete that has been colored in various ways to help the craftsman achieve the overall effect. The coloring is often enhance or antiqued during the stamping process by the addition of secondary coloring. This created the authentic look of real stone, brick, textured tile, or granite.
Stamped concrete has all of the durability and longevity of standard concrete and is often more durable due to the hardening additives that are commonly used in the coloring process and the addition of high grade concrete sealers.