Stamped Concrete in East Providence, RI

What is stamped concrete?

Stamped concrete is regular poured concrete with a pattern pressed into the surface while it's still soft. The crew pours and levels the slab like any other, adds color, then lays rubber stamping mats over it and presses them in by hand. The mats leave the texture and joint lines of slate, flagstone, cobblestone, brick or wood plank. After curing, the surface gets a second tone of color to bring out the texture, then a sealer.

Color comes from two places. Integral color is mixed into the concrete at the plant, so it runs all the way through. A release agent dusted on before stamping adds a darker accent in the low spots. Together they give the depth that makes stamped concrete read like real stone from a few feet away.

Where does stamped concrete make sense?

Stamped concrete works best where people spend time and where looks matter:

• Back patios, where it can replace a plain broom-finish patio with something that looks like laid stone.
• Front walks, where it gives an older colonial or cape more curb appeal.
• Driveway borders, a band of brick pattern along the edges of a plain driveway.
• Pool decks and landings, with a lighter texture for bare feet.

We usually steer homeowners away from stamping a whole driveway. It can be done, but cars, plows and salt wear the sealer much faster, so upkeep goes up. A border gets you most of the look. If your driveway needs to come out anyway, we can plan the border as part of a full driveway replacement.

Why does some stamped concrete fade, flake or get slippery?

Stamped concrete fails for the same reasons as plain concrete, plus a few of its own. A weak base lets it settle and crack. A mix without enough air scales in freeze-thaw weather, and scaling is very visible on a colored surface. Rock salt attacks the sealer and then the concrete under it.

The sealer is where most complaints start. Sealer wears off over time, and once it's gone, color fades in the sun and water gets in. Some installers use a glossy sealer with nothing added for grip, which turns slick when wet. Along the bay in Riverside and Bullocks Point, salt air and wind-driven rain wear sealer a bit faster. We add a grit additive to the sealer on walking surfaces and tell you how often to reseal.

What affects the cost of stamped concrete?

Stamped concrete costs more than plain concrete because it takes more labor and more material. The main factors are the size of the area, the pattern (some take more hand detailing than others), the number of colors, and how much prep the ground needs. Borders and small accents cost less than a full stamped surface. Tear-out of an old slab and access to the back yard also count. We'll show you samples and give you a written price for the pattern you pick.

Can old stamped concrete be restored, or should it be replaced?

Faded or dull stamped concrete can often be restored. If the slab is sound and level, a deep cleaning, fresh color and a new coat of sealer bring back most of the original look. If it has sunk, cracked through in several places or scaled badly, replacement is the only lasting fix, since stamping can't be patched invisibly. Cracks in a pattern tend to stand out, and color patches rarely match.

Stamped concrete questions

How often does stamped concrete need to be resealed?

Plan on resealing stamped concrete every two to three years. Surfaces in full sun or near salt get it on the shorter end. Resealing keeps the color from fading and keeps water and salt out of the surface.

Is stamped concrete slippery?

Sealed stamped concrete can be slick when it's wet if the sealer has no grip additive. We mix a fine grit into the sealer on patios, steps and walks so the surface stays safe in rain.

Does stamped concrete crack?

Any concrete can crack. We cut control joints into the pattern's grout lines, where cracks will blend in, and we build on a compacted stone base to keep the slab from settling. That keeps cracking to a minimum and hides the cracks that do happen.

Can I get a stamped walk to match my patio?

Yes. We can pour a stamped front walk in the same pattern and color as the patio so the whole property looks planned.