Concrete Stamping
Concrete stamping is a great and permanent way to make your mark. But first you should pick a complementary shade that fits the house or structure near the concrete stamping. Make sure to give additional attention to grout lines that run continuously. You should also stamp in a way that leaves "stamp" lines at a 45 degree angle to the long side of the general area. Testing, rough drafts and dress rehearsals are always good because they help one make early corrections before the final and sometimes unchangeable result. Therefore, place rugs in the designated area (before laying the concrete) and do a practice or "run thru" of where and exactly how stamping will occur. Remember to always watch out for the little lines and cracks located in virtually every kind of concrete because those lines can interfere with the expansion and adjoining structures. For more complicated problems, consult your contractor or a concrete stamping specialist.When laying the concrete, following the regular practices related to concrete mixing and reinforcement. Always remember to avoid admixtures that have calcium chloride. Instead try using admixtures that use air-retention. Of course different admixture companies have different instructions, but in general they are the same. There are basically two ways to color or shade the concrete: liquid color (integral) or powder color (broadcast). After color has been included, the release agent for the color should be applied. Next, the most time-sensitive part of the process, the texturing of the concrete. After texturing starts, being very delicate yet firm is crucial because of the time it takes to correctly set everything.
Last, clear away all remaining release agent with a pressure washer, preferably, a high powered one. If this entire project seems like a lot for one person to do, you're right! Pulling together a 4 to 5 man crew is recommended.