Stamped Concrete Overview and Installation
Stamped Concrete Is a Trend That's Catching Fire
Thanks for signing up!
There was a problem registering. Try again later
Did you mean ?
You can opt-out at any time.Please refer to our
for contact information.
illisphotography/E+/Getty Images
Updated July 02, 2014.
Excuse my excitement, but stamped concrete is awesome. It's one of those home remodeling trends that seems to be catching fire lately, and for good reason. I've seen it for years, and wasn't much impressed by it. Only expensive commercial applications looked decent, and even that was a stretch. Recently, though, new texturizing and pigmenting trends allow homeowners to introduce it to their exteriors.
What Is It?
Stamped concrete involves pouring slab concrete for driveways, , patios, etc., and then impressing both patterns and textures onto the concrete before it is fully dry. For many years, a lesser form of stamped concrete was often seen that merely duplicated patterns.
But the newer types of stamped concrete impart textures that duplicate many different surfaces such as cobblestones, brick, pavers, wood, seashells, and more. Also, pigment is usually added to stamped concrete to further duplicate the look of such patterns.
Why Not The Real, Original Surfaces?
Brick, pavers, and cobbles look great, but since they form a surface of many interlocking pieces, they are susceptible to frost-heave and other changes in the underlying surface. Sometimes this can be good, if you're trying to cover an uneven surface--the brick, pavers, stone, or pavers will conform to the surface. But if you have a good, flat, and level under surface, you'll want your concrete to be laid the same way. Reinforcing rods within the stamped concrete help to tie the pavement together and strengthen it.
Also, bricks, pavers, cobbles, etc. allow for weed to grow up through the cracks. Since stamped concrete is a solid, continuous surface, nothing can grow up through the &cracks.& As you may already know, the &cracks& in stamped concrete are simply impressions in the concrete that only partially go through the surface.
Does It Look as Good as Brick, Concrete Pavers, Cobbles, etc?
It's all in the eye of the beholder, but in my view it does not. Aesthetically, it's a close second. I have seen versions that attempt to duplicate the look of exterior wood plank flooring. It looks great on its own terms, but it can never be mistaken for the real thing.
As such, you may want to choose stamped concrete that isn't trying so hard to dupl it can have any number of patterns, textures, and colors.
Can I Do it Myself?
Not recommended. The process of laying stamped concrete is almost an art. Not only that but special tools and an experienced crew of up to four people are needed. Save yourself the frustration and find a good concrete contractor who has experience in laying stamped concrete.
What's the Process?
Place the concrete. Concrete should be no less than four inches thick.
Add color. Color is added either in the mixer or after concrete placement. The first method is called &integral coloring& and the second method is called &broadcast or surface coloring.& Broadcast coloring involves evenly spreading dry color across the surface of the concrete.
Apply release agent. Release agent allows the texturizing mats to come off without taking off concrete.
Lay mats. Texturizing mats are laid in succession. Since there are usually not enough mats to cover the entire surface, when one is finished it is applied to another area of the concrete.
Let dry 24 hours.
Pressure wash the release agent off.
Clear sealing.
Powered By ZergNet
Stamped Concrete Is a Trend That's Catching FireE-mail this article
Invalid E-mail address
Add a personal message:(80
character limit)
Your E-mail:
Invalid E-mail address
Sending your article
This article had me seeing red: A 61-year-old man in Stone Mountain, Georgia, because she was crying at Walmart.
Violence isn't the answer, but I think if a strange man slapped my toddler the police would have to carry him out of the store on a stretcher.
Robert Stephens had warned the girl?s mother, Sonya Mathews, that if she didn?t quiet her child, he would "do it for her." He slapped the toddler "four or five times across the face," and then told the mother, "See, I told you I would shut her up."
Another shopper restrained Stephens unti he was arrested and charged with cruelty to children in the first degree. He's being held without bond.
Unbelievably, some of the comments I've seen online skew towards congratulating the man for hitting the 2-year-old girl, or suggest that he should have slapped the mom instead. "Good for him. I wished I slap a couple of the kids I have been around." . "What he should have done is slap the mother since she is being the crappy parent not teaching or paying attention to her kid,"
While people -- often people without children -- tend to blame the parents, there could be any number of reasons why a toddler is crying at a store. Sure, the mom could be over-indulgent, or simply ignoring her kid. Sure, the kid could just be pitching a fit. But it's just as likely that the child could be sick, over-tired, uncomfortable, frustrated, hungry, overwhelmed, or . The mom could be a single parent without childcare, who doesn't have the option of leaving her 2-year-old at home while she runs errands.
Now, we've all had to deal with crying kids on airplanes, or toddlers having tantrums near us in public. And we've all seethed and gritted our teeth or sympathized with the parents and dealt with it. Because while the screaming child may be annoying, we're the adults and we're supposed to practice restraint and self control. Slapping someone else's child goes way beyond
or discipline or corporal punishment. It's assault.
Sonya Mathews told yesterday that she forgives Stephens, adding that she thinks he must have mental issues.
I don't think that I could be so forgiving.
What would you do if a stranger slapped your child?
Lylah M. Alphonse is a Globe staff member and mom and stepmom to five kids. She writes about juggling career and parenthood at
and blogs at
E-mail her at .
This blog is not written or edited
or the Boston Globe.
The author is solely responsible for the content.
E-mail this article
Invalid E-mail address
Add a personal message:(80
character limit)
Your E-mail:
Invalid E-mail address
Sending your article
Posted by HOW DARE YOU
Posted by j2
Posted by pearl
Posted by Jayne
Posted by Jada
Posted by Nancy G
Posted by Lee
Posted by meme1
Posted by selver
Posted by ace
Posted by babs
Posted by TAM
Posted by Elizabeth
Posted by carisa.
Posted by Bob Wilson
Posted by tracy
Posted by Concerned Bystander
Posted by don't mess with mama
Posted by krOutraged
Posted by really!!!!
Posted by Maria
Posted by Lisa
Posted by Eileen
Posted by Karen
Posted by s
Posted by Heather Czerniak
Posted by Yes, I am a Mom
Posted by fifthcrown
Posted by Kerri Hanson
Posted by Knotdefined
Posted by Vena
Posted by Seriously.
Posted by gubba
Posted by Cynthia K.
Posted by Jen
Posted by suspin
Posted by Rickety Cricket
Posted by jlen
Posted by Eden Courtney
Posted by Papa Bear
Posted by Kim C.
Posted by Yes, I am a Mom
Posted by e. zante
Posted by Lauren P. Burka
Posted by Irene
Posted by charlie Watson
Posted by gi gi
Posted by RealityCheck
Posted by Angie
Posted by Outraged
Posted by Lori
Posted by Alxandro
Posted by Daddy
Posted by JohnG
Posted by Mom of a 12 year old
Posted by Mindy
Posted by Amy G
Posted by Mary
Posted by I Love My Kids
Posted by Bonnie
Posted by Mike
Posted by Tom
Posted by Keith
Posted by John D
Posted by reindeergirl
Posted by Kevin
Posted by Calypso
Posted by Heather Musser
Posted by Dora Smith
Posted by Kathy M.
Posted by sk
Posted by Simone
Posted by Posey
Posted by Omar
Posted by BJT418
Posted by kid villa
Posted by sid
Posted by L.J.Wilson
Posted by edna g
Posted by go figure
Posted by MLS
Posted by Muzzles
Posted by Stefan
Posted by LeepII
Posted by phe
Posted by wtf021
Posted by Kevin
Posted by K
Posted by Paul
Posted by susan campbell
Posted by Jonathan Placebo
Posted by Grizzly
Posted by AMM22
Posted by W
Posted by Slappy McSlapSlap
Posted by BOS22
Posted by Grizzly
Posted by Carrie
Posted by A-Rod
Posted by Liz Pakula
Posted by Pete
Posted by swampangel
Posted by Tom
Posted by Grizzly
Posted by Columbine
Posted by Infoferret
Posted by a day at walmart
Posted by chins
Posted by geoff
Posted by Ridiculous
Posted by eric
Posted by mynamsbrandon
Posted by boogersnot
Posted by BostonBlonde
Posted by Knotdefined
Posted by Paul
Posted by Allison
Posted by Catharine
Posted by g
Posted by g
Posted by oldmoldymom
Posted by ThisManInJail
Posted by LockUpThatJerk
Posted by Rick Snooker
Posted by Jenn
Posted by Michael Goldfield
Posted by m
Posted by nancestef
Posted by Kid lover/hater of evil doers
Posted by allriledup
Posted by merilisa
Posted by unbelievable
Posted by MPJ
Posted by WhatWouldYOURmomSay?
Posted by Dump Mumbles
Posted by marc
Posted by CC
Posted by Arlington Dad
Posted by Worthless, Stupid, Etc. Etc.
Posted by Kimarch
Posted by Grizzly
Posted by Mom2J
Posted by kiki
Posted by CC
Posted by Bob Stutzman
Posted by M Williams
Posted by JB
Posted by Liz Pakula
Posted by Kate
Posted by Slap the dude back...
Posted by splawn
Posted by splawn
Posted by splawn
Posted by My Name is Tina
Posted by Barriah
Posted by BobinVA
Posted by Charlestown mom
Posted by daveh
Posted by David
Posted by Rob
Posted by Doug's Mom
Posted by Glenn Harris
Posted by MJT
Posted by PRichard
Posted by mainermom
Posted by HappyMom
Posted by Karen
Posted by sum serious
Posted by BOSS LADY
Posted by Tenfootradius
Posted by Jay
Posted by Sky Arrow
Posted by lagibbytoo
Posted by louie
Posted by Mary
Posted by Crappy Parents Always Have Excuses Never Consideration for their Children or Others
Posted by Marsha Gilmore
Posted by bobi
Posted by LizM
Posted by ME
Posted by kkcv
Posted by reindeergirl
Posted by ALH
Posted by reindeergirl
Posted by reindeergirl
Posted by jj
Posted by Jen
Posted by ME
Posted by Meredith
Posted by Krystalyn
Posted by Infoferret
Posted by Mark from Alabama
Posted by Douglas Peeke
Posted by Nancy
Posted by Paul
Posted by Michele
Posted by qb qt
Posted by Jennifer
Posted by mr.insightful
Posted by LvlyRenee
Posted by Carol
Posted by MP
Posted by DB22
Posted by EMC
Posted by Tiredofwimpyparents
Posted by Justin Case
Posted by MsManners
Posted by roger
Posted by Chloe
Posted by cantstandya
Posted by NH Native
Posted by smbrooks1
Posted by John D
Posted by Concordian living in Stone Mtn.
Posted by momof1
Posted by CrookedPolsAndCEOs
Posted by Steve
Posted by Wow
Posted by gidgetcommando
Posted by Irish-lad
Posted by Freud
Posted by Colonel Colonel
Posted by josephine
Posted by Trixie
Posted by pat cat
Posted by Dave Bennett
Posted by ava
Posted by Kate
Posted by Linda A
Posted by plattsburghsox
Posted by J
Posted by Smarmy Jack
Posted by bob
Posted by Christine P
Posted by disguted
Posted by Kami J
Posted by Jill
Posted by MsManners
Posted by Jillian Armit
Posted by strict parent
Posted by Dan
Posted by Dan
Posted by Arizona Mildman
Posted by Shiloh Ray
Posted by Julie-in Hawaii - working on Child Abuse laws
LOG IN TO COMMENT
Existing users
Please take a minute to register. After you register and pick a screen name,
you can publish your comments everywhere on the site. .
LOG IN TO COMMENT
Existing users
Please take a minute to register. After you register and pick a screen name,
you can publish your comments everywhere on the site. .
Posted by HOW DARE YOU
Posted by j2
Posted by pearl
Posted by Jayne
Posted by Jada
Posted by Nancy G
Posted by Lee
Posted by meme1
Posted by selver
Posted by ace
Posted by babs
Posted by TAM
Posted by Elizabeth
Posted by carisa.
Posted by Bob Wilson
Posted by tracy
Posted by Concerned Bystander
Posted by don't mess with mama
Posted by krOutraged
Posted by really!!!!
Posted by Maria
Posted by Lisa
Posted by Eileen
Posted by Karen
Posted by s
Posted by Heather Czerniak
Posted by Yes, I am a Mom
Posted by fifthcrown
Posted by Kerri Hanson
Posted by Knotdefined
Posted by Vena
Posted by Seriously.
Posted by gubba
Posted by Cynthia K.
Posted by Jen
Posted by suspin
Posted by Rickety Cricket
Posted by jlen
Posted by Eden Courtney
Posted by Papa Bear
Posted by Kim C.
Posted by Yes, I am a Mom
Posted by e. zante
Posted by Lauren P. Burka
Posted by Irene
Posted by charlie Watson
Posted by gi gi
Posted by RealityCheck
Posted by Angie
Posted by Outraged
Posted by Lori
Posted by Alxandro
Posted by Daddy
Posted by JohnG
Posted by Mom of a 12 year old
Posted by Mindy
Posted by Amy G
Posted by Mary
Posted by I Love My Kids
Posted by Bonnie
Posted by Mike
Posted by Tom
Posted by Keith
Posted by John D
Posted by reindeergirl
Posted by Kevin
Posted by Calypso
Posted by Heather Musser
Posted by Dora Smith
Posted by Kathy M.
Posted by sk
Posted by Simone
Posted by Posey
Posted by Omar
Posted by BJT418
Posted by kid villa
Posted by sid
Posted by L.J.Wilson
Posted by edna g
Posted by go figure
Posted by MLS
Posted by Muzzles
Posted by Stefan
Posted by LeepII
Posted by phe
Posted by wtf021
Posted by Kevin
Posted by K
Posted by Paul
Posted by susan campbell
Posted by Jonathan Placebo
Posted by Grizzly
Posted by AMM22
Posted by W
Posted by Slappy McSlapSlap
Posted by BOS22
Posted by Grizzly
Posted by Carrie
Posted by A-Rod
Posted by Liz Pakula
Posted by Pete
Posted by swampangel
Posted by Tom
Posted by Grizzly
Posted by Columbine
Posted by Infoferret
Posted by a day at walmart
Posted by chins
Posted by geoff
Posted by Ridiculous
Posted by eric
Posted by mynamsbrandon
Posted by boogersnot
Posted by BostonBlonde
Posted by Knotdefined
Posted by Paul
Posted by Allison
Posted by Catharine
Posted by g
Posted by g
Posted by oldmoldymom
Posted by ThisManInJail
Posted by LockUpThatJerk
Posted by Rick Snooker
Posted by Jenn
Posted by Michael Goldfield
Posted by m
Posted by nancestef
Posted by Kid lover/hater of evil doers
Posted by allriledup
Posted by merilisa
Posted by unbelievable
Posted by MPJ
Posted by WhatWouldYOURmomSay?
Posted by Dump Mumbles
Posted by marc
Posted by CC
Posted by Arlington Dad
Posted by Worthless, Stupid, Etc. Etc.
Posted by Kimarch
Posted by Grizzly
Posted by Mom2J
Posted by kiki
Posted by CC
Posted by Bob Stutzman
Posted by M Williams
Posted by JB
Posted by Liz Pakula
Posted by Kate
Posted by Slap the dude back...
Posted by splawn
Posted by splawn
Posted by splawn
Posted by My Name is Tina
Posted by Barriah
Posted by BobinVA
Posted by Charlestown mom
Posted by daveh
Posted by David
Posted by Rob
Posted by Doug's Mom
Posted by Glenn Harris
Posted by MJT
Posted by PRichard
Posted by mainermom
Posted by HappyMom
Posted by Karen
Posted by sum serious
Posted by BOSS LADY
Posted by Tenfootradius
Posted by Jay
Posted by Sky Arrow
Posted by lagibbytoo
Posted by louie
Posted by Mary
Posted by Crappy Parents Always Have Excuses Never Consideration for their Children or Others
Posted by Marsha Gilmore
Posted by bobi
Posted by LizM
Posted by ME
Posted by kkcv
Posted by reindeergirl
Posted by ALH
Posted by reindeergirl
Posted by reindeergirl
Posted by jj
Posted by Jen
Posted by ME
Posted by Meredith
Posted by Krystalyn
Posted by Infoferret
Posted by Mark from Alabama
Posted by Douglas Peeke
Posted by Nancy
Posted by Paul
Posted by Michele
Posted by qb qt
Posted by Jennifer
Posted by mr.insightful
Posted by LvlyRenee
Posted by Carol
Posted by MP
Posted by DB22
Posted by EMC
Posted by Tiredofwimpyparents
Posted by Justin Case
Posted by MsManners
Posted by roger
Posted by Chloe
Posted by cantstandya
Posted by NH Native
Posted by smbrooks1
Posted by John D
Posted by Concordian living in Stone Mtn.
Posted by momof1
Posted by CrookedPolsAndCEOs
Posted by Steve
Posted by Wow
Posted by gidgetcommando
Posted by Irish-lad
Posted by Freud
Posted by Colonel Colonel
Posted by josephine
Posted by Trixie
Posted by pat cat
Posted by Dave Bennett
Posted by ava
Posted by Kate
Posted by Linda A
Posted by plattsburghsox
Posted by J
Posted by Smarmy Jack
Posted by bob
Posted by Christine P
Posted by disguted
Posted by Kami J
Posted by Jill
Posted by MsManners
Posted by Jillian Armit
Posted by strict parent
Posted by Dan
Posted by Dan
Posted by Arizona Mildman
Posted by Shiloh Ray
Posted by Julie-in Hawaii - working on Child Abuse laws
Email address
Required (will not be published)
About the author
Barbara F. Meltz is a freelance writer, parenting consultant, and author of "." She won several awards for her weekly "Child Caring" column in the Globe, including the 2008 American Psychological Association Print Excellence award. Barbara is available as a
Ask Barbara a question
Barbara answers questions on a wide range of topics, including autism, breastfeeding, bullying, discipline, divorce, kindergarten, potty training, sleep, tantrums, and much, much more.
Send your questions to her at:
meltzbarbara (at) .
Please include your name and hometown.
By Claudia M. Gold, M.D.
By Dr. Claire McCarthy
By Kip Durney
By Lara Salahi
The go-to guide for local parents, packed with events, tips, hot
topics, contests, photos, and more.
Recent blog posts
By Kathryn Cartini
By Patrick Smith
By Becca Olcott & Casey Harrison
By Dr. Sushrut Jangi
By Scott Van Voorhis
By David Zimmerman and Jim Lopata
By Bruins Daily Staff
By Barbara Meltz
By Claudia M. Gold, M.D.
By Mitch Lipka
By Julian Cardillo
By James Alan Fox
By Jim Botticelli
By Melissa Massello
By Peter Post
By Angel Babbitt
By David D'Onofrio
By Boston World Partnerships
By Erik Frenz
By John McDonough
By Scott Kirsner
By Dr. Suzanne Koven
By Elaine Varelas
By Karyn Polwaczyk
By Local Finance Experts
By Dr. Claire McCarthy
By Scott Kearnan
By Dr. Lachlan Forrow
By Joan Salge Blake
By Obnoxious Boston Fan
By Dave D'Onofrio
By Craig Forde
By Melanie Nayer
By Kara Baskin
By Nichole Davis
By Chrissy Horan
By Alice Cook
By Dr. Ishani Ganguli
By Timothy Loew
By David Sabino
By Maura Welch
By Kip Durney
By Lara Salahi
By David Epstein
Select a month
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
April 2013
March 2013
browse this blog
by category
Discipline
Single parenting
Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC}