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Concrete
- strong, durable, flexible, the most versatile building material
in the world, and gray. All of these descriptive words of concrete
are true, but not complete. Concrete is indeed strong and versatile,
but it no longer needs to be gray. Architects, landscape designers,
and homeowners are reveling in the news that the color of concrete
driveways, patios, decks, sidewalks, porches and more can match
any decor. Colored and stamped concrete provides all of the
wonderful assets of concrete and lets imaginations go wild.
The
rise in popularity of colored and stamped concrete may be attributed
to three key factors - the continuing evolution of stamping
tools, the development of a wide variety of colors, and people
becoming aware of the possibilities. One small indication of
the popularity of colored and stamped concrete in Wisconsin
is that the residential decorative category of the Wisconsin
Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s Concrete Design Awards has
had more entries than any other category. Colored and stamped
concrete has also become more popular at the commercial level,
to the extent that the WRMCA needed to add a commercial decorative
category to their design awards recently.
Stamping
Concrete - Think Christmas Cookies
If
one thinks of a concrete slab, still in its plastic state, like
cookie dough rolled out and ready to cut, it is easy to understand
how skilled contractors stamp concrete. There are three basic
types of systems, but the end results are similar, driveways
looking like brick pavers, decks that appear to be slate, walkways
that appear to be tile.
The
roller system works very similar to a rolling pin imprinted
with a pattern that is rolled across the concrete. Plastic forms
can also be pressed into the concrete which cut outlines similar
to brick and cobblestone patterns. The stamping mat forms, gaining
quickly in popularity, not only imprint the outline of the patterns,
but also provide the texture and "imperfections" to the surface
of the concrete, creating a very realistic surface that can
imitate slate, stone, wood, and a myriad of other surfaces.
Coloring
Concrete - Think Cookies Again
There
are two primary ways to color concrete for colored and stamped
work. The integral method mixes the coloring agent throughout
all of the concrete, usually mixing it in the ready mix truck.
Generally the integral method is best for colors that are more
muted in nature. Just like adding food coloring to the dough,
the effect can be dramatic, but it is difficult to get the more
vibrant colors.
The
dry shake-on method of coloring concrete applies the color after
the concrete is placed, but before it is stamped. The coloring
agent is troweled into the surface, and usually colors the top
¼ inch of the slab. These colors tend to be more vibrant
than the integral method, similar to sprinkling colored sugar
on your favorite cut-out cookies. In addition, since the dry
shake-on method usually contains additional cement, this coloring
system helps create a very durable and strong surface.
When
the stamping mats are used to create the impression, a release
agent is used to prevent the concrete from sticking to the stamp
(like flour with a cookie cutter). In addition to its practical
use, the release agent can also be colored. This will color
the impressions and "imperfections" of the design, adding depth
and character to the final project. This is frequently how the
"grout" color is added on a cobblestone pattern.
Advantages
- This Cookie Doesn’t Crumble
While
colored and stamped concrete driveways will cost more than a
traditional concrete driveway, it usually costs the same or
less than the cobblestone, slate, or other material it resembles.
In addition, you get the durability and low-maintenance advantages
of a concrete driveway. There isn’t the same problem with frost
heave that the alternate materials face.
A
traditional concrete driveway is a wonderful investment, but
a colored and stamped driveway, patio, or walkway may provide
that elegant, dramatic look to your new home. Concrete - it’s
how ideas get built. For more information on colored and stamped
concrete contact the Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association
at (608)250-6304 or info@wrmca.com.
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