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Does Stamped
Concrete Fade?
We have heard
nightmare stories from homeowners about how their stamped concrete driveway started off
an attractive brown hue and then
gradually faded into an undesirable pink color. This is due to the
contractor using an integral colored concrete, which is mixed inside the cement
truck. Quality control is very difficult to maintain with integral
concrete, that's why we USE COLOR HARDENERS! Only on rare occasions
is it necessary to use integral concrete.
Cleaning and sealing
stamped concrete created with color hardeners should be done on a regular basis
to combat fading. The frequency will depend on how high a traffic area to cars,
foot traffic, water, and any chemicals the concrete is exposed to. Resealing is a
personal preference. It depends on how high of sheen you like. We recommend
resealing every 2 or 3 years. Like waxing a car, resealing your stamped concrete
will make the colors as vibrant as the day they were installed .
Will Your Stamped Concrete Crack?
Yes, hairline cracking
may occur. Stamped Concrete is just like any other concrete slab in
respects to cracks. To minimize the risks of cracks, our installers go beyond
the standard practices for crack control:
1.
Many years of hands-on experience, advanced technologies,
excellent customer service and communication, superior attention to detail,
licensed and bonded
2.
Jumping jack compacted site
3.
Compacted base (if needed)
4.
3,500 PSI Backyards Plus proprietary concrete mix
including:
a.
Steel reinforcement (rebar), 2'-3' on center; adds strength to
the entire slab
b. Mid to high range water reducers;
less water equals stronger concrete
c.
Air entrainment;
improves freeze-thaw resistance and durability
d.
Thickened edges; adds
strength to edge where grounds slopes away
5.
TWO COATS of Hand trowelled,
high quality, POWDERED color hardeners and release agents vs. integral color (color mixed in the
concrete)
a. Hardens and increases surface density; increases surface to
5,800 PSI
b.
Deeper richer colors
c.
More color choices
d.
More natural "stone look"
6.
AT LEAST TWO COATS of solvent base sealer vs. water base
a. First
coat: diluted with xylene for deeper surface penetration
b.
Second coat: 100% solvent for better seal and color intensity
c.
Shark Grip is added to second coat to add traction to surface
7.
Special Detail crew 3-5 days after original pour
a. Sweep off color release
b.
Power washes entire surface and adds color (if
needed)
c. Grind any areas that are not smooth
d.
Apply sealer as listed above
BEWARE of those who skip one or more of the steps listed above.
Our reinforcement process is the benchmark for quality in the industry. Rebar provides the very best in protection against cracking for
the long term.
How Long Will Stamped
Concrete Last?
If done correctly,
stamped concrete should easily last 10 to 20 years. A lot depends on
expansive soils and proper maintenance. Like all concrete hairline cracks
may occur, but our system is double reinforced, which greatly minimizes cracks.
Maintenance
involves the
occasional cleaning and resealing of the stamped concrete. If resealing is done every 2 or 3
years the colors will remain vibrant throughout the life of the surface.
BEWARE OF
COMPANIES WHO DO NOT OFFER A WARRANTY, ARE NOT IN THE PHONE BOOK, OR DO NOT HAVE
A STORE FRONT. THEY MAY CHARGE LESS, BUT YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO
LOCATE THEM IF PROBLEMS ARISE!
THERE ARE MANY DISASTER STORIES WITH
IMPROPERLY INSTALLED STAMPED CONCRETE!
Do you have minimum order requirements?
We do not have a minimum, but keep in mind
that prices are higher for smaller jobs. Stamped concrete takes multiple
visits to do correctly and the labor costs are about the same for a
100 square foot area as they are for a 400 square foot area. The best
values start at 400 square feet.
How Much Does Stamped
Concrete Cost?
Our cost for
stamped concrete averages around $12 per square foot (depending on the size, slope and accessibility). We
are priced below mid-range when competitively shopping while maintaining the
ABSOLUTE HIGHEST QUALITY AND UTILIZING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES!
WE'RE SO
CONFIDENT THAT OUR PRICE AND VALUE IS SUPERIOR, WE INVITE YOU TO
COMPARE PRICES WITH OUR COMPETITORS:
Colorado Hardscapes:
303-750-8200
Patterned Concrete
of Denver: 303-778-8581
Faux Crete:
303-346-4441
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