Stamped Concrete Vs Stamped Overlays

Lying near the humid subtropical climate zone, Orlando’s weather can turn hot in summer, cool to cold nights in winter and comfortably warm in spring and fall.  Given this weather conditions, outdoor living areas e.g. patios, porches, exterior kitchens and courtyards are common features in most homes and business. Being the main entertainment area, owners would, naturally, want to make their outdoor living space more presentable.

One way of doing this is by stamped concrete. Stamped concrete is the process of pouring about 4 inches thick of concrete (combination of cement, sand, gravel and water) on a limestone compacted base. The concrete is colored integrally or with color hardener, coated with an antique release and then stamped with patterns to create a stone, brick, tile and even wood effect. The combination of durability that comes with using concrete plus the availability of countless options of patterns and colors to choose from, stamped concrete has become one of the current outdoor living trends in Central Florida like Orlando. It seemed the logical choice for outdoor living spaces given the constant exposure to the harsh Florida elements.

A more inexpensive way of improving the outdoor space area is by stamp overlays which involve covering an existing concrete. Destroying and hauling concrete is hard and expensive work. If the existing concrete is still structurally sound, this is the choice of finish if one wants
to maintain the standard flooring. Stamped concrete overlays can be applied as thin as one fourth to three fourths inch and still maintain its durability just like a normal concrete surface.

The stamped concrete topping systems include:

=> Primer System consisting of acrylics, latex, or epoxy which is installed before or during topping installation.

=> Stamp overlay material composed of cement, aggregate and sometimes additional chemicals or dry polymer for water add-mixtures which delay the drying so it can be imprinted with a pattern before it sets up and hardens.

=> Release agent which comes in wet or dry formulations. This will make it easier to release the stamp mats without sticking during the stamping process. Some come with color to add realism to the finished floor.

=> Made of rubber, stamp mats are used to imprint or transfer pattern to wet overlay material. These are often shallower than the standard concrete mats for the thinner material thickness for which it is intended.

=> Coloration Systems are used as integral color or for surface treatments and highlights.

=> Sealer System is added to the cured stamp overlay material to protect it from staining, wear and tear, and the elements.

=> Specialty Tools include scribing tools, edgers, tampers and other similar tools to place and put finishing touches on the stamped concrete overlays.

The installation process would take about 3 to 7 days depending on system and finish chosen and most can be walked on within 24 hours, a couple of days if expected traffic is heavy.

It is recommended that surface be resealed every 3 to 5 years. However, in places where there is only foot traffic resealing can be done every 5 years.

Depending on purpose or situation, either method will still transform any outdoor space into a beautiful customized area ideal for relaxation and entertainment.

Article Source: http://www.compensationsecrets.co.uk/