Stamped Concrete in Blue Island

Stamped concrete is how you get a flagstone patio or a brick-look front walk without setting a single stone. The concrete is poured and leveled, then colored, and while it is still soft our crew lays big rubber mats across it and tamps the texture in. A second, darker shade settles into the grooves so the stones look natural and a little weathered. Once the slab cures, we wash it and roll on sealer, which deepens the color and helps keep stains and water out. It takes good timing and enough hands on pour day, because the whole surface has to be stamped before it gets too stiff. It also takes planning: control joints still need to be cut, and we line them up with the pattern so they blend in. We back our stamped work with an 8-month warranty on cracks larger than 1/8 inch, and on a stamped surface the repair is done with an overlay so it fits the finish. In a town full of brick bungalows and older frame homes, a warm-toned stamped patio or walk tends to look like it has always been there.