Introducing stamped concrete and exposed aggregate concrete to your concrete elements, such as patios, pathways, walkways, and stairs, is a great way to improve the aesthetic of your outdoor spaces. Rather than opting for a broom finish, these finishes push your design above and beyond the norm.
Both exposed aggregate concrete and stamped concrete are great because they are cheaper than typical landscape pavers or even natural stone, but still offer a superior aesthetic. That said, picking one over the other can be tough, and is a matter of opinion.
When in doubt, get the advice of a local Calgary concrete contractor to assist you in making the right design choice. The professionals at Deluxe Concrete Services offer professional residential and commercial Calgary concrete services for the greater Calgary area. A trusted concrete contractor makes all the difference in choosing the right concrete finish.
From exposed aggregate concrete to stamped concrete, pricing, design, style, and maintenance, a professional concrete contractor will be able to point you in the right direction.
What is stamped concrete?
Stamped concrete is a finish provided for concrete surfaces that utilizes customizable patterns and layouts to create unique designs in the concrete.
Stamped concrete can be provided in patterns like paver stone, cobble stone, flagstone, imitation stone, and more… There are literally hundreds of different stamped concrete designs to choose from on the market. Best of all, stamped concrete can be provided with different stains to change the color and aesthetic of the space.
Stamped concrete, much like exposed aggregate concrete, is often sealed after the application of stamping. In this way, stamped concrete is highly versatile in the design offerings available.
What is exposed aggregate concrete?
Exposed aggregate concrete is a finish that exposes the surface layer of aggregate on the top of concrete. It is done by introducing a curing inhibitor to the surface of the concrete. This delays the curing and hardening of the surface layer of concrete, allowing the layer to be washed off to expose the aggregate within the concrete.
Different colors of aggregate can be utilized to provide different designs and color schemes.
Benefits of Stamped Concrete
- Totally transforms the look and feel of concrete surfaces.
- Can be had in a variety of stamping designs.
- Can be mixed with staining applications to create unique colorful stamped concrete designs.
- It is a durable concrete finish when properly installed and utilized with a concrete sealer.
- Generally cheaper than using natural stone or landscape pavers.
- No weeds or shifting of the concrete like with pavers.
Negatives of Stamped Concrete
- Generally more expensive for a sq-ft unit rate to finish concrete in a stamped and sealed design vs. exposed aggregate concrete.
- More expensive than a broom finish concrete.
- Almost always should be provided a concrete sealer.
- Limited to the stamping designs available.
- Stamped concrete can be difficult to repair in the right design pattern.
Benefits of Exposed Concrete
- Exposed aggregate concrete will be cheaper to finish as opposed to stamped concrete.
- Provides added traction due to the exposed aggregate.
- Provides a unique design that exposes the natural beauty of the aggregate and stones within concrete.
- Beautiful application for stairways, patios and pathways.
- No weeds or shifting of the concrete like with pavers.
Negatives of Exposed Concrete
- More expensive than a broom finish concrete.
- Limited in design selections generally unless custom aggregate and color additives for the concrete are opted for.
- Generally should have a concrete sealer.
- Can be subject to cracking if a concrete sealer is not used.
- Much cheaper than pavers or natural stone pathways and walkways.
Summary
Picking the right concrete finish can be difficult! Making an educated decision comes down to understanding the pros and cons of both stamped concrete and exposed aggregate concrete.
After all, though, it’s your home, so the selection is generally subjective; it’s your opinion that counts. That said, if you are looking to save a bit of money, an exposed aggregate concrete finish is a bit cheaper!
Still, a stamped concrete finish brings a premium look and feel that can be hard to match, even with landscaping pavers. Any way you look at it, both exposed aggregate concrete and stamped concrete have serious benefits over traditional landscaping methods, with extra durability to match unique design styles.
Frequently Asked Questions – Stamped Concrete & Exposed Aggregate Concrete
How long does it take to install exposed aggregate concrete?
It takes approximately 2-4 days to install exposed aggregate concrete. The concrete has to be formed, placed, poured/exposed, and possibly have another day for sealing.
Does exposed aggregate concrete need sealing?
Exposed aggregate concrete does need sealing, typically. Because the surface layer of the concrete is left somewhat exposed, there is a more significant chance of water intrusion.
Where can stamped concrete be used?
Stamped concrete can be used for all types of concrete elements, from patios to pathways, to driveways and more. Stamped concrete is highly versatile and is able to replace other forms of concrete like broom finish or smooth finish concrete, pretty reliably.
How long does stamped concrete installation take?
Stamped concrete typically will take about 2-4 days to set and cure. First off the concrete has to be placed, then potentially stained and stamped prior to the concrete curing. After that the concrete needs time to set and cure, which technically, can be much longer than 4 days for curing, but a couple of days is fine for people to walk on the concrete.
Can stamped concrete crack?
Stamped concrete still needs control joints, proper installation, reinforcement, and concrete sealing. Without proper installation methodologies, it can most certainly crack.