Stamped concrete installation in Pittsburgh
Stamped concrete is ordinary concrete made to look like slate, brick or stone. Color goes in the mix, a release goes on top and textured mats are pressed in while the slab is still soft. Done well, it's hard to tell from the real thing at ten feet.
How stamped concrete is made
You may also hear it called pressed concrete or stamp cement, but it's the same process. The slab is built like any good exterior slab, and the look comes in the last hour of the job. Timing is everything. Stamp too early and the mats sink. Stamp too late and the texture won't take. These are the steps in order.
- A compacted stone base and forms
- Steel, placed to suit the soil and the load
- Air-entrained concrete with integral color
- A powder or liquid release, which adds the second color
- Mats pressed in by a crew working in step
- Detail work by hand at edges and corners
- Saw cuts placed in the grooves of the pattern
- A wash, then sealer once the surface is dry
Why the crew matters more than the mat
Anyone can buy stamp mats. What you're paying for is a crew that can read the concrete. A patio has to be placed, floated, colored and stamped before it sets, which leaves a narrow window on a warm day. Too few hands, and the far end of the slab goes hard before the mats get there. You'll see that as a shallow pattern, or a change in texture halfway across.
Ask to see a job that's a few years old. New stamped concrete always looks good, but a slab that's been through a few Pittsburgh winters tells you much more.
What it can and cannot do
Stamped concrete gives you one solid surface, with no gaps for weeds or ants, and a far wider choice of looks than plain concrete. It does need resealing every few years, and any repair will show. It's also not the best choice for ground that moves. Our guide to stamped concrete vs pavers lays out both sides, and our stamped concrete cost guide shows what you can expect to pay.
How the job goes
- Samples at your home
We lay out patterns and colors against your brick.
- Written quote
Base, thickness, colors and sealer are all listed.
- Base and forms
We dig out, compact stone and set the forms.
- Pour and stamp
Color goes in, then the crew stamps the slab.
- Cut and wash
Joints go in, and the release is washed off.
- Seal
Sealer goes on when the slab is ready.
Common questions
How long does it take stamped concrete to dry?
You can usually walk on it after a day or two. It needs about a month before it reaches full strength.
How long does it take for stamped concrete to dry?
A day or two for foot traffic, and a week for furniture. Sealer goes on once the surface is dry.
How much to charge for a concrete job?
Most contractors here price stamped work by the foot. Stamped patios usually run $4,500 to $10,000, depending on size, pattern and access.
More services
- stamped concrete patio
- concrete patio contractors
- stamped concrete walkway
- stamped concrete steps and porches
- stamped concrete pool deck
- stamped concrete overlay
- stamped concrete sealing
- stamped concrete repair
- concrete staining
- decorative concrete
- colored concrete
- decorative concrete driveway