One may often wonder how it is possible to obtain different designs and patterns on concrete surfaces. Isnt it amazing that a common concrete floor have the capabilities to beautify itself through the use of different methods? How do you really color and create designs and patterns on a concrete floor? The answers to these questions lie in the process of concrete stamping. Concrete Stamping makes all of these possible.

Concrete Stamping is a method that allows one to stamp, stencil and create unique designs out of a prepared concrete. Concrete should be poured onto the surface as the first step in concrete stamping. The concrete should at least be 4 thick before allowing it to dry. Next step is to add colorants onto the concrete. In this way, water-based stains are most advisable as they can be directly applied to the concrete leaving a 1/8 thick dimension in the surface.

Once the colorant or stain is applied a color hardener is added onto the surface to ensure that the color is properly attached to the concrete. Next step is to apply a color release agent on the whole surface area before placing on the stamping mats. Color release agents are responsible for bringing out the desired design on the stamping mats. Release agents should not be too thin as it may soak through the stamping mats that the detail will not be properly captured.

The design should be carefully imprinted on the surface with the help of the stamping mats. Once it is carefully laid down and dry, stamping mats should be removed to fully leave the surface to treat. Afterwards, remaining release agents and loose debris should be washed down before sealing off the entire surface with a concrete sealer.

Stamped Concrete has the possibility to fade over time especially when it is done in the outdoors. Proper maintenance of stamped concrete should be carefully observed. Deicing salts should never be mixed with the concrete mixture as they tend to react badly with the sealant. They tend to produce air gaps between the concrete surface and the sealant that tend to pop resulting to a crack like appearance.