Obtaining The Finest Printed Concrete Provides Countless Advantages
Stamped, imprinted or patterned building material
, sometimes labelled PIC, is among the most appealing of decorative products currently available for outdoor use. In patios, paths, poolsides and drives, printed concrete looks more appealing by far than plain old varieties do. It is also a lot cheaper and easier to put down than slabs, tiles, decking and paving.
Basically, it's just thin, smooth concrete that is stained and shaped to resemble another material, for example wood, flagstones or bricks. Due to the intricacy of patterns creation, it's not really a DIY project and needs a specialist with the right tools. There are different stamps for the many different colors and patterns available, and an experienced contractor will have these, saving you having to buy them.
While there are over 100 stamp types, the choice of colors is even bigger. You're able to specify an exact shade. Then, it can be colored in two ways, either by get it premixed before delivery or having the dye put on wet, setting concrete. The former is probably better, since color will be consistent right through; if the top alone is dyed, cracking and weathering can expose the dull grey of the original.
Almost all imaginable surfaces and materials can be recreated. You can get a wooden deck appearance, for example, but not have the care and maintenance wood requires. Enjoy the beauty of a Cotswold flagstone or indeed York stone, without paying their prices. Herringbone and parquet appearance on paths without weeds poking through the cracks.
In short, you get every advantage of the hard wearing material but don't have to live with the boring grey uniform surface. It needs hardly any maintenance at all and, when done well, can last for many years. This is why it is so important to use a specialist, not just a regular builder or odd job man. Because there can be problems with poor workmanship.
Problems usually come in the form of flaking and cracks. Neither need occur when you've used a properly qualified PIC practitioner. Flaking happens when color release agents and hardeners aren't applied well. Cracking is the result of not having good crack control joints.
Algae and lichen may form on top, so you'll need to clear and sweep regularly. Stamped concrete does need a reseal every four years or so. That's especially the case when dye is put on the top layer only, rather than being mixed in with all of the concrete mix.
The main advice is constant and bears repeating again. Use qualified, experienced
printed concrete installers who you've investigated. Ideally, get personal recommendations from those who've used this company. Don't heed a great sales pitch or hyped-up claims, nor seemingly bargain prices. It's worth paying for top materials and good workmanship to save money, hassle and time in future. Then, you'll enjoy many years of durable, beautiful hard surfacing through your gardens and outside areas with not a great deal of upkeep required.
by: Jenifer Whitmire
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