Stamp Colors and Patterns
Concrete doesn't have to be gray. In fact it doesn't have to look like concrete at all. Our sophisticated stamps, patterns, stains, and coloring techniques mean that there is literally no limit to the range of looks you can have – all with the durability and low maintenance of concrete.
Stamps You've seen a lot of stamped concrete without realizing that was what you were looking at. That's because stamping can replicate the look of flagstones, bricks, slate or cobbles at a fraction of the cost of laying pavers or stones. Want your driveway to look like a Parisian pavement with fan shaped cobble stones? Stamping can do that. Imagining what medallion or border effects would do for the look of your patio, sidewalk, pathways, or driveways? We can create any medallion or border you like with our stamped concrete. Stamping mats are molded from the materials they reproduce so that Parisian cobble comes from Parisian cobble, wood stamps are molded from wood, so they have exactly the same texture. As for the look that's where our skills with colors come into play but tell us what you have in mind and we can make it for you. Colors Concrete comes in absolutely any color you like and yes, that can include gray. There are a number of different ways we can color your concrete including integral color, dry-shake color hardeners, and powder or liquid release agencies. Sometimes to get the desired effect we combine different color techniques. Integral color is mixed in as part of the concrete batch and has the benefits of being a totally homogenized, even color that will never fade. Chip or grind down an integrally colored slab of concrete and the concrete that's exposed underneath will be the same color. Many or our customers are looking for something a bit brighter and more eye catching than the color effects of integral color, however. For them we turn to dry-shake color hardeners which come in an infinite range of bright colors and consist of aggregates that we distribute as the concrete dries. That layer floats at the top of the concrete and also helps to make it more resistant but it takes a little more work. Powders and liquid release are usually used with stamping because they help avoid the stamp sticking to the concrete but can also be combined with other coloring techniques for subtle and finely tailored effects. Ask to see our gallery of the beautiful effects we can achieve with concrete. Stains Staining is another way of creating beautiful effects. Stains react chemically with the concrete and give a deliberately uneven, more mottled effect that works brilliantly with stamping patterns to create subtle a subtle look of different shades. Patterns While a lot of stamping patterns are about reproducing random stone, cobbles, flagstones, or slates some people want a different look with bold patterns. For example they may want whales and dolphins cavorting around their pool side or dazzling geometric patterns across their driveways. Concrete has no limits so nor do we. |
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