In the residential market, stamped concrete is turning heads and boosting curb appeal as a paving material for driveways, pool decks, walkways, patios and entryways, often as an alternative to brick pavers or natural stone. And it's being installed in all areas of the country, from Southern California to Northern Minnesota.
Decorative Concrete of the Tri-State in Ashland, KY
Decorative Concrete Institute in Temple, GA
That's because no matter what the climate, properly installed decorative stamped concrete offers the same durability, strength and permanence as conventional concrete. When the right mix design and placement procedures are used, exterior stamped concrete can be installed year-round in most regions of the country (see our seasonal pouring tips). And it doesn’t matter whether your stamped concrete is exposed to freeze-thaw conditions, the harsh desert sun, or salty ocean breezes. When properly sealed and maintained, stamped concrete will withstand even the harshest weather extremes. Furthermore, with sufficient reinforcement, it also bears up well under vehicle and heavy foot traffic. Because of these qualities, stamped concrete is also a practical choice for enhancing public places, such as theme parks, shopping malls, lobbies, parking lots and zoos.
You can give stamped concrete regional flair by using colors, patterns and textures that blend with the local environment. See these real-world examples of where stamped concrete is being installed from coast to coast:
Northwest
Pool deck in Gig Harbor, Wash.
Pattern: Tile
Patio in Portland, Ore.
Pattern: Ashler slate
Driveway in Spokane, Wash.
Pattern: Arizona Flagstone
West / Southwest
Walkway in Madera, Calif.
Pattern: Random stone
Pool deck in Rialto, Calif.
Pattern: Ashlar slate
Walkway in Tucson, Ariz.
Pattern: Ashlar slate
Mountain
Patio in Aurora, Colo.
Pattern: Seamless stone texture
Courtyard in Denver, Colo.
Pattern: Seamless stone texture
Driveway in Hamilton, Mont.
Pattern: Ashlar slate
Midwest
Patio in Carterville, Ill.
Pattern: European fan cobblestone
Front porch in Cokato, Minn.
Pattern: Wood plank
Pool deck in Denmark, Wis.
Pattern: Seamless stone texture
Mid-South
Pool deck in Humble, Texas
Pattern: European fan cobblestone
Driveway in Lowell, Ark.
Pattern: Ashlar slate
Entryway in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Pattern: Old-World cobblestone
Mid-Atlantic
Pool deck in Crescent, Pa.
Pattern: Brick with exposed aggregate border
Walkway in Charles Town, W. Va.
Pattern: Ashlar slate with a brick border
Patio in Gaithersburg, Md.
Pattern: Ashlar slate with a brick border
Northeast
Pool deck in Acton, Mass.
Pattern: Ashlar slate
Walkway in Belford, N.J.
Pattern: European fan cobblestone
Walkway in Old Greenwich, Conn.
Pattern: Ashlar slate
Southeast
Patio in Douglasville, Ga.
Pattern: Ashlar slate
Walkway in Greer, S.C.
Pattern: Ashlar Slate
Walkway in Opa-Locka, Fla.
Pattern: Ashlar slate
Canada
Pool deck in Ottawa, Ont.
Pattern: Seamless stone texture
Patio in Whitby, Ont.
Pattern: Ashlar Slate
Driveway in Airdrie, Alb.
Pattern: Seamless stone texture
Although you typically see stamped concrete outdoors and underfoot, more people are now awakening to the many applications for stamped concrete indoors. Among the latest trends:
- Installing concrete floors stamped with tile, slate, fieldstone or even wood-plank patterns in entrances, kitchens, family rooms and basements.
- Enhancing walls or fireplaces with vertical stamped overlays. These lightweight cement-based mixes can be applied thickly to wall surfaces without sagging, making it possible to imprint them with deep cut-stone patterns.
- Adding decorative interest to concrete countertops, bartops and bathroom vanities. Even small embellishments, such as delicate leaf imprints, can have a dramatic impact because these surfaces are closer to eye level.
- Rejuvenating existing concrete floors with stampable polymer-modified overlays, which offer the same design options as conventional stamped concrete.