A Guide to Stamped Concrete
A stamped concrete finish gives a plain gray concrete surface a visually-appealing design and color. A stamped concrete veneer must bond to a solid concrete slab of normal thickness. The stamped concrete often uses a different colored release agent to give the finished product highlights. The release agent keeps the stamps from sticking to the wet concrete. The stamps are usually for rent at a concrete supply house and are available in different shapes, sizes and print designs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 1-by-4 inch wood board
- Saw
- 2-inch nails
- Hammer
- Water bucket
- Cinder block
- Straightedge
- Concrete float
- Concrete stamp set
- Rubber mallet
- Concrete saw
- Broom
- Water hose
- Concrete sealer
Instructions
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Build a concrete form with 1-by-4 inch wood boards. The form must completely surround the stamped concrete's perimeter. Custom cut the boards to size with a saw and nail the corners together with 2-inch nails and a hammer.
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Secure the forms to the area surrounding the stamped concrete. Position the form supports every 6 feet. Stake the forms to the ground along the outer edge of a patio or walkway. If the form rests on a solid concrete slab, hold the form in place with a water bucket or cinder block. Adjust the form's shape and position with the stakes or heavy objects.
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Mix the concrete using the manufacturer's recommended instructions. Pay special attention to the directions about adding color. Improper mixing of the colorant causes an uneven finish. When mixed, the concrete should have the consistency of toothpaste and all colorant swirls must disappear.
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Pour the wet concrete into the form. Start at the far end or a corner and work to an open edge. Avoid working into a corner.
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Screed the wet concrete's surface with a long straightedge. Place each end of the straightedge on the form. Work the straightedge back and forth across the forms, shaving all of the high spots from the wet concrete. Add leftover concrete to any low spots.
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Float the wet concrete with a concrete float. Start at the far end or a corner of the wet concrete and work to an open edge. Floating the concrete smooths the surface and removes any tool marks.
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Wait for the water seepage to dry off the wet concrete's surface, usually 10 to 30 minutes. The concrete expels water as it firms up. Do not wait for the concrete to fully set before continuing. It should have the consistency of cold butter -- light pressure will not break the surface, but increased pressure will.
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Broadcast the release agent evenly across the wet concrete's surface. Cover all exposed areas of the wet concrete. The release agent's color will highlight the stamp's impressions. Release agent will wash off during cleanup with water.
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Lay out the stamps on the ground next to the wet concrete. Notice the pattern and the way the stamps touch each other.
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Set the first stamp on the wet concrete. Adjust its position until it sits exactly as desired, then press the stamp into the concrete. Use a rubber mallet to fully seat the stamp on the concrete's surface. The sound the mallet makes when it hits the stamp will change when the stamp is fully installed. All other stamps will use this stamp as a reference.
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Set and press each additional stamp into place, using the first stamp as a guide. The stamps must fit tightly against each other. Seat each stamp with the rubber mallet. Work from the far edge toward the outer edge. Use the installed stamps as a pathway.
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Lift the stamps from the wet concrete. Pull the original stamp first, then pull every other stamp. After reaching the far edge, pull the remaining stamps from the wet concrete working from the far edge back to the starting point. Let the wet concrete dry overnight.
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Cut a 2-inch deep expansion joint in the stamped concrete with a concrete saw, if the stamped concrete lays on a slab with pre-cut expansion joints. Place the concrete saw's blade in the slab's expansion joint near the edge of the stamped concrete, then allow the slab's expansion joint to guide the saw blade as it cuts the stamped concrete. If the slab shifts in the future, the expansion joints will prevent cracks in the stamped concrete.
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Sweep the excess release agent and cement dust from the stamped concrete with a broom, then wash the area with a water hose. Let the stamped concrete dry completely.
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Apply concrete sealer to the stamped concrete. Follow the sealer manufacturer's instructions. For best results, choose a clear, non-yellowing sealer designed for heavy traffic.
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Tips & Warnings
Plan the stamped concrete installation around an ideal weather report that forecasts two to three days of warm, dry weather.
References
Resources
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