Homes are a huge investment for anyone. Having your own home not only gives you peace of mind but also saves you from the periodic costs of rental payments. With all that in mind, you must get everything right when you decide to build a home. It starts with getting the right contractor for the job, providing the necessary materials and choosing the right finishes in all your spaces.
The following piece sheds some light on one of the unique finishes you can achieve when using concrete to build your home. Sit back and get some insight on stamped concrete:
Do You Know Stamped Concrete?
Stamped concrete is a peculiar method of finishing concrete surfaces. The result is an imprinted concrete surface that replicates several materials such as brick, wood, slate and flagstone. The range of colours and patterns at your disposal make stamped concrete ideal for beautifying and finishing pool decks, entrances, driveways and patios. You can also use it on walkways, considering its ability to stand up to wear and tear.
How Does It Compare to Other Materials?
Places such as patios and pool decks are perfect for saving costs and exploring various designs. A comparison of stamped concrete and other materials will help you make a good choice. Stamped concrete performs well in several categories, such as:
- Ease of installation – Stamped concrete is easy to set in place, unlike bricks or natural stone. The latter need lots of cement and careful arrangement.
- Ease of maintenance – Stamped concrete requires less in terms of maintenance. You just need to clean it regularly and repair cracks if they occur. On the other hand, natural stone and precast pavers need continuous maintenance to prevent weeds growing between them. You also need to refill the spaces with sand at regular intervals, especially during the rainy season.
- Ease of customisation – Natural stone and bricks have a limited range of patterns and colour choices when compared to stamped concrete.
Are You Worried About Safety?
You are right to think about the safety of the people in your home. It is paramount to make sure that the surfaces are slip-resistant to eliminate slip-and-fall accidents. Thankfully, the textured surface of stamped concrete makes it more slip resistant than conventional concrete surfaces. However, the surface becomes more slippery when wet. Make sure to use non-skid additives and heavy texture when installing stamped concrete in areas that are likely to entertain lots of pedestrian traffic. Patios, entrances and walkways are examples of areas that need these elements.
To learn about other construction topics, contact companies that sell products like pallets.
