Stamped Concrete for Driveways and more
Stamped concrete has hit the construction industry running. One of those ideas whose “time had come”, stamped concrete offers variations of color and texture previously thought to exist only in the application of native or imported stone. The absolutely wild themes available currently are even more diverse every year. New patterns of impressions are discovered every year, resulting in yet more design possibilities. And the color possibilities remain basically endless. The better the installers get at mixing, dying and experimenting, the better the overall look in general. For something as relative new to the construction industry as stamped concrete, its technological and design application advances boggle the mind.
Making driveways of stamped concrete costs a bit more than installing your standard grey cement mix, but the effects are truly arresting. What one gets with stamped concrete is the texture of natural stone, a potentially rough surface mirroring that of grainy and pocked natural rock. But when the color is applied, the work really stands out. Penetrating charcoal powders thrown down on the already-colored cement from the truck result in a look of depth and shadow as they settle into the lower dips of the impressed finish. Hosed off, you see this shadow effect emerge and the results are a two-colored deep and very artistic look.
Other colors work as well, ranging through the entire color spectrum, now resembling more of an artisan’s project than some slab of cold, gray cement. Matching color to a home works a minor miracle in bringing everything together into some thematic consistency. It also pleases the eye dramatically, giving a striking curb appeal.
Another tactic often employed is to use bands of stamped concrete to either rim the edge of standard cement or top even bisect it, bringing out the colors of the banding yet more and reducing the glare and offensiveness of an immense gray slab. Inserting shapes inside the gray look also works -shapes of circles, rectangular effects or shapes of almost any character at all. These are easily done during the initial pours and can result is a much softer, far more interesting look.
Continuing the stamped concrete theme to the sidewalks, entryways or patios that surround the home simply highlights the entirety of the enterprise even more substantially. The themed look goes from simply “pretty” to “stunning” and gorgeous to another degree altogether.
These value-added changes and installations can produce value far beyond the norm. Presenting such a fascinating and thematic face to the world is a rue highlight of adding to curb appeal and yet another way to enjoy one’s living space even more.
