Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Stamping
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missmosss
05-25-07, 04:37 PM
I am thinking about a "stamped" deck, that is concrete pressed and dyed into a bumpy, rough granite look. Does this surface hold up? It sure looks good.
Concretemasonry
05-25-07, 05:05 PM
If it is done by a good contractor, it will be attractive and can hold up very well. If done by the guy that is the cheapest and wants to learn, it can be a disaster.
Every time you do more to concrete, the more you are relying on the experience of the contractor.
Make sure you check out references and past jobs.
Any "mud jockey" can dump footings that you will never see until it is too late. With stamped concrete, the expectations are much higher and any problems will show up quicker, but he may have cashed the check already.
Check out the contractor and don't try to do it yurself unless you have already done a suceesful "do-it-yourself" heart transplant.
Dick
Every time you do more to concrete, the more you are relying on the experience of the contractor.
Make sure you check out references and past jobs.
Any "mud jockey" can dump footings that you will never see until it is too late. With stamped concrete, the expectations are much higher and any problems will show up quicker, but he may have cashed the check already.
Check out the contractor and don't try to do it yurself unless you have already done a suceesful "do-it-yourself" heart transplant.
Dick
Pecos
05-26-07, 05:43 AM
As Dick said, thoroughly check out your contractor! There are a LOT of hacks that have no business attempting to stamp, but good contractors will place beautiful work that will last as long if not longer than regular concrete. I have stamped jobs that have been down since the early 90's, and I know of many locally that are much older than that. They still look great to this day. The big key is maintenance. Since stamped concrete is more expensive than regular, people seem to maintain it better with periodic cleaning and resealing. Another key is NOT to use any de-icing products! I don't care what the labels on some of the non-salt de-icers say, they WILL mess up your concrete. Good luck!
Pecos
Pecos
Smith Brother
05-26-07, 01:02 PM
Dummy me wonders, WHY you are stating to RESEAL with this process, when in other concrete jobs I seem to have read on this site that SEALING is of little or any help?
Just wondered. I'm still LEARNING.
Dale
Indy
Just wondered. I'm still LEARNING.
Dale
Indy
Pecos
05-26-07, 03:53 PM
The sealer is a high solids acrylic sealer that enhances the color of stamped concrete and imparts a gloss (very unlike anything you'll find at HD, Lowes, etc.) This type of sealer on regular concrete would make it dark, ugly, and more slippery.
Smith Brother
05-26-07, 08:16 PM
OK!
STILL LEARNING, THANKS.
Dale
Indy
STILL LEARNING, THANKS.
Dale
Indy