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When the phrase "concrete dyke" is mentioned, it's most likely to bring up a plain gray driveway. Concrete driveways cost an average of $4 to $5 per square foot. This is the most economical option. The cost of a driveway will be divided almost equally between labor and materials, although both will increase depending on its size or shape.
Stamped cement looks very natural because the majority of stamping materials are made from real materials. Stamped concrete contractors will often combine surface-applied and integral colors in order to achieve natural-looking hues, similar to what you would find in real stone. Stamped concrete is actually more attractive than real concrete. You won't see weed or moss growth at the joints and it won’t rot/splinter if your imitation of wood planking.

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Natural stone patterns, such as flagstone, fieldstone, and slate, are the most common types of stamped concrete. The next most popular types of stamped concrete are cobblestone, brick, and wood. There are also seamless stamps which give texture, but not with joint patterns. You can press patterns into concrete even for complex projects that have steps and fountains.



It is important to get at least three estimates written and to verify the references of any contractor you choose to do your projects around your house or business. For stamped concrete, it is especially important to get a contractor that can show you their past work and give you actual samples of the colors and patterns they offer. Some decorative concrete contractors offer showrooms that have all their samples displayed. Another option is visiting the contractor’s website. Here you can often see photos of their projects, as well as details about the decorative concrete they are specialized in.

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It is best to avoid using deicing sodium on stamped concrete, particularly during the first winter after installation. Deicers can cause major surface damage (primarily spalling and scaling) by forcing the thawing/refreezing of moisture. Concrete can be chemically attacked with ammonium and sulphates. Products that contain ammonium nutrites or ammoniumsulphates are particularly harmful. They will cause less damage than salt rock (sodium chlorineide) and calcium chloride but they can cause severe damage to plants and metal corrosion. Sand can be used as traction. Learn more about how to maintain concrete drives and the effects that deicing salts can have on sealer performance.



Heated driveways can be a great option for those living in colder areas that see a lot of snow and ice. It is possible to have a radiant heating system installed under the driveway to prevent ice accumulation. This will help keep your driveway safe in snowstorms. Heating a driveway will cost you between $10-20 per square foot. Concrete doesn't like cold temperatures and heating it can prolong the life of your driveway. This makes it a good investment as well as a selling point.

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Because stamped concrete is a textured concrete, it is often more slippery than normal concrete. It can also become slippery if the sealer or film-forming agent has not been applied. There are many things you can do if stamped concrete is to be used in a high-traffic area such as an entranceway or pool deck. Talk to your contractor about any concerns.
Natural stone patterns like flagstone, slate, and fieldstone are the most well-known types of stamped cement concrete. Close behind are bricks, cobblestones and wood patterns. There are also seamless stamped that add texture to the concrete, but with no joint patterns. Even complex projects with stairs and fountains, you can still press patterns into concrete.

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When hiring a contractor to do work around your home or business, it is important that you get multiple written estimates and verify their references. You should ask for samples and a portfolio of work from stamped concrete contractors. Some decorative concrete contractors even have showrooms where all of their samples are on display. Another option is to visit their website. There you will often find photos of their work and information about the different types of decorative concrete they offer.




Wait at most a week before driving down the driveway. Also, wait at minimum a month before parking any heavy vehicles. Allow concrete to dry for at least one month before sealing it.

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Most commonly, stamping happens on freshly poured concrete. You can cover existing concrete in good shape with a stamped overlay. This will give you the same look of conventional stamped concrete. Learn more information about stamped concrete overlays.

Concrete manufacturers experimented with decorative concrete techniques from the 1890s. Brad Bowman (considered to be the "father” of modern concrete stampeding, invented and patents new methods for making concrete that looks like flagstones and other non-concrete substances in the 1950s. He used wooden stamps with multiple concrete pieces that could be imprinted at once.

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Floating concrete is a key part in the finishing process. After concrete has been poured and smoothed, the final crew uses a variety or tools to smoothen and polish the concrete. The surface's smoothness will depend on the amount of floating. It will also determine how strong the slab will be. If there is too much floating, it will make the slab look rougher and more industrial. This is also when skilled workers are able to add decorative finishes or colors onto the slab's surface.

As can be seen in the Pantheon, the ancient Romans used simple concrete stamping techniques. Concrete companies that received bids from the government for public works projects in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth centuries used concrete stamps with the company name and the year of concrete pouring. This created a visible historical record about when sidewalks were constructed.