Stamped concrete on floors: Benefits, types and application method
The decorative and construction sector has experienced so many changes in recent years that we currently have innumerable options for any kind of renovation or decorative reform. The professional has a high variability in the products, which has caused those with the greatest potential to stand out above the rest as the favorite coatings of experts.
Thestamped concrete It is a decorative material that offers us features such as admirable resistance, unique decorative potential due to the versatility it offers in its design, excellent properties when it comes to floor coating, among others.
What is a stamped concrete floor?
Stamped concrete floors, or imprinted pavement, present a decorative option for all types of walkable surface where we will find a product where unusual aesthetics converge, accompanied by high resistance capacities, giving it a long life wherever it is applied.
One of its main talents, and by what this decorative coating is mostly known for, is its great ability to mimic all types of designs, materials, and shapes. Stamped concrete has the peculiarity that, when it is fresh, the professional can apply different molds that will allow him to modify its design. Some of the options most in demand by professionals and clients are: stones, bricks, wood, cobblestones, tiles, etc.
Thanks to its unique aesthetics, any environment or room decorated with this coating will stand out for conveying a great elegance and sophistication. Such is its potential that its use extends over all types of areas, being an equally effective material in urban, residential or commercial areas. Its features will give it that strong and beautiful character with which no surface will go unnoticed.
Qualities that stamped concrete floors provide us
Stamped concrete has become one of the preferred options by experts for the decoration of pavements due to the conveniences that this material gives us, as well as the potential of its results, leading to innovative surfaces that, of course, will be the center of attention of any visit.
Long lifespan
As we have previously mentioned, it is a decorative coating which will provide a great strength to the surfaces covered by this. In its performance we find a material resistant to UV rays, to sudden changes in temperature, to weather action, to shocks, stains and scratches, as well as to constant pedestrian traffic. All this makes it a product of surprising resistance, which will give it a long lifespan.
Exclusive results with a unique aesthetic
In the stamped pavement we find a coating with unique aesthetic capacities that will allow us to create environments with a high decorative potential, managing to create surfaces with different shapes and textures, as well as with a wide variety of colors: red, slate, white, black, gray, sand, wood or brown.
Its maintenance will be an easy task
A thankful product to say the least, as when it comes to maintenance it demands the minimum to keep it in great condition. Its amazing resistance avoids having to carry out excessive care on a regular basis. Only those surfaces affected by car traffic should be taken into account, on which it is advised to renew them once a year by applying varnish, in order to prevent possible wear and tear from abrasion.
The A, B, C of cleaning, you don't need more
Its cleaning is simple, you just need to sweep and then use a hose, so that you can remove any remaining dirt. Oil or petroleum stains will also not be a problem, as they clean up easily.
Weeds never die, are you sure?
By giving us tile-style paving of larger dimensions it allows us to prevent weeds from growing through it, creating areas with a neat and exclusive aesthetic.
It moulds to any surface
Known as one of its big plus points, its high malleability. A decorative material that can be deformed due to compression and all without breaking, which gives us the installation on any type of room or surface.
First thing, ensuring safe non-slip environments
As we say, we are talking about a decorative covering so complete that it goes beyond the aesthetic to offer us a product that guarantees safe surfaces with a non-slip finish and also, water resistant.
Easy and hassle-free installation
Unlike other decorative materials for floors, printed concrete is a coating where the installation will be very quick and easy, since the hardening mortar is done on the same site. It should also be noted that its simplicity will vary depending on the design, the more complex the geometric shapes represented, the more difficult the application will be.
These are the most requested types of printed concrete floors
Its versatility has become one of its strong points and for which it has such a reputation in the decorative sector. By using the different molds on the fresh concrete, you can give the floors a custom look that perfectly imitates other materials or textures, which we will show below:
Brick
The brick, one of the most demanded molds by customers and therefore one of the most popular. This design gives a contemporary and modern air, creating surfaces with an interesting texture. An ideal design for exterior cladding such as terraces, sports tracks, as well as parks.
Wood
Undoubtedly, one of the most interesting and exclusive options that stamped concrete can offer you. With this design, we manage to create pavements that imitate wood, creating environments with a rustic and elegant effect, and saving us all the drawbacks of wood, among which its high cost stands out, as well as the excessive maintenance it requires.
Tile
Thanks to stamped concrete we will achieve all the aesthetic advantages of decorating with tiles, but adding the features of stamped pavement. The surfaces will show a strong character and personality, as well as a surprising anti-slip finish and high resistance to weather conditions.
Stone
A decorative proposal that is really successful to be carried out on stamped concrete floors outdoors, due to its ability to give the surface a natural style. It stands out for its great realism, resulting in a rustic environment with a strong character.
Slate
For lovers of the exclusive who seek to renew their floor and do not want it to go unnoticed, stamped concrete offers one of the most special and elegant appearances, slate. A unique aesthetic that will be perfect to create an environment where the floor is the perfect link, providing harmony to the room.
Cobblestones
Simple and effective. Who doesn't like a cobblestone floor? A safe alternative with which to guarantee a successful result. The road will have an aspect of great decorative value and with all the advantages of stamped concrete.
White stamped concrete
And if anything is known by all, it is that white looks good wherever it is used. In the case of stamped concrete floors, it could not be less, showing us a design with which to give surfaces greater brightness and successfully prevent the penetration of sunlight. This design is ideal for use in gardens, terraces, swimming pools... And in a large number of outdoor spaces.
Black stamped concrete
Choosing black has many advantages. It stands out for creating elegant and suggestive environments where small details stand out. Its unique quality is that its drying time is less than that of other tones, an advantage to consider.
Grey stamped concrete
Decorating experts know the potential of grey color when applied on any surface and especially on floors. With a printed pavement of this color, we will achieve a road that perfectly matches the rest of the room, which will allow us to play with design to get exclusive finishes.
Steps to follow for the application of a stamped concrete floor
Stamped concrete presents us with a versatile, resistant and attractive material, with which to generate finishes of high decorative value. Despite having a much simpler installation than other decorative coverings, we need an expert who knows the product in detail, to bring out all the properties of the material. Next, we will show the necessary steps to follow to carry out an optimal installation:
1. Preparation of the pavement
We must ensure that the pavement is free of any type of particle: dirt, humidity, fat, dust... Subsequently, once we have ensured that the floor is in perfect cleanliness conditions, we will prepare the levels and slopes. It will be necessary to apply a polycrete film to prevent the concrete from dehydrating and finally, we will delimit the work area, through perimeter joints, to later pour the concrete.
2. Pouring the concrete
This step of the process is fundamental to ensure later that our surface enjoys great resistance and, therefore, extend its lifespan. We will make use of polypropylene fibers by adding them to the concrete, as well as using the steel mesh and joints on those perimeters where necessary. Finally, in a uniform manner, we will pour the concrete into the floor.
3. Compact and bleed the concrete
We should use a trowel or in any case, a leveller, in order to smooth the pavement.
4. Trowel the concrete
When the concrete is still fresh, we must ensure that there is no excess humidity that could cause possible blisters in the pavement. To do this we must trowel it.
5. Classic or modern model, you choose
You can choose between using the traditional system, sprinkling the color hardener, or a more modern system, which is about tinting the future imprinted concrete by coloring it in mass.
6. Smooth the surface
In this step, we should have a steel trowel to ensure that the support ends up free of porosities, as well as irregularities and, subsequently, on the edges, go over them with an edging trowel to finally avoid chippings.
7. Apply the releasing agent
This product can be liquid or in powder form and it will be necessary to apply it so that later it will be much easier to remove the mold and with that, the result of the pavement will be flawless.
8. Stamp the floor with the imprinted mold
This will be one of the most relevant steps to finally obtain quality results. We should choose the design or texture desired to print on the imprinted concrete floor. At MyRevest®, we have up to 100 types of shapes, to achieve rigid or flexible models that adapt perfectly to the support. By using a tamper, it will be much easier to engrave the drawing on the imprinted pavement.
9. Remove the mold release and clean the imprinted concrete floor
By using a pressure washer, we ensure that there is no remaining product residue
Protect the imprinted concrete floor with a varnish
Through airless, roller or brush, we will apply two coats of one of our specialized varnishes, in such a way that we can seal and protect the imprinted concrete on the floor. As a tip, it is recommended to renew the varnish every two or three years, in order to keep the imprinted pavement as new.
Tips to keep in mind for the maintenance of the imprinted concrete
It will be easy to keep our imprinted concrete floor in good condition as long as we act in the correct way. It is necessary to know the information to know how to act in each situation and, following the steps, the floor will look excellent over time.
Daily cleaning of the support
Its maintenance is very simple, but if cleaning is also performed every two or three days, the support will continuously look like new. You will only need to use a vacuum cleaner or a broom to remove dust. If it is an interior imprinted concrete floor, cleaning will be somewhat easier than in the case of outdoor pavements, on terraces, pools, etc. Where it will tend to accumulate more dirt.
Specialized cleaner for more persistent dirt
As is common, pavements tend to be stained from time to time with certain products which are more complicated to remove, such as grease stains. For these cases, we have a specialized product which is ideal for removing this type of dirt, our range of cleaners MyCleaner.
First of all, it is advised to scrub with hot water, in such a way that it allows us to soften the oil or grease stains. Subsequently, the cleaner will be poured and left to act for 5 or 15 minutes, to finally rinse it with water before MyCleaner has dried.
Joint review
It is recommended to be foresighted and be aware of the state of the joints, in order to anticipate any incident such as the growth of grass. Periodic cleaning of these is also suitable.
Don't forget to renew or repair your printed concrete floor from time to time
It is recommended to renew or repair the printed concrete floors from time to time, in order to maintain them in excellent conditions that allow them to shine as on the first day. For this, at MyRevest® we have the ideal repair mortar to perform this function. Prior to its application, we must confirm that the surface is free of dust particles, paint or grease. The support should be moistened and once the mortar is applied, we seal the surface.
Reasons why the support should be renewed
- To renew or change the color, using a repair mortar which allows us to modify the color according to the needs that the project requires.
- Due to environmental wear such as rain, hail, abrupt changes in temperature, as well as pedestrian traffic, abrasion and the passage of time. These factors directly affect the surface of our pavement, making a repair of each necessary from time to time.
As a tip, it is advisable to carry out a renewal or repair in a timely manner, when we see the first indications that our printed concrete floor is being affected by the different factors of everyday life. A quick action will save us time and money in the future, as well as help us maintain the surface with a sublime appearance.
If you would like to know more details about printed concrete floors, contact our team of experts. They know the product in detail and will be able to guide you in any type of indecision, with the aim that, finally, you choose the most optimal decision for your decorative renovation.