Concrete Stamping Basics
Site preparation of concrete is the same for stamped concrete as it is for any slab. The base preparation should be the same as for any concrete application.
by Susan Brimo-Cox
is booming. Potential customers are learning about it in consumer magazines, on HGTV and at home and garden shows, inspiring them to think of adding features such as stamped driveways, faux rock walls or polished concrete floors to their homes or businesses. If you haven't received a request for decorative concrete yet, chances are you soon will.
And if you are thinking about expanding into this lucrative niche, stamped concrete is a good place to start. There is a learning curve, but the techniques of imprinting can be mastered if you have a good grasp of the placing and finishing skills needed for basic concrete.
Site preparation and placement of concrete is the same for stamped concrete as it is for any slab. "The base preparation should be the same as for any concrete application," observes Clark Branum, area manager for Rafco Products. But remember, your sub-base is an important foundation to your decorative work. You want a "compacted crushed rock base with no standing water," Branum says.
The type of mix and aggregate will vary with the regional requirements for freeze and thaw, as well as structural requirements. Don't feel shy about asking the experts. "Most people do not realize how many experts they have available to them," says Steve Johnson, director of marketing for new product development at Solomon Colors. "The first person you should talk to is your ready mix producer."
The thickness of the slab depends on the intended use, but typically it is at least 4 inches. Reinforcements should be placed according to standard concrete practices.
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