SERVICES
all CONCRETE services
- Commercial and Residential
- Garages
- Building Slabs
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Porches
- Patios
- Footings
- Stamped Concrete
- Concrete Counter Tops
- Outdoor Kitchens
- Fire Pits
- Fire Places
- Water Features
Caring For Your Concrete
Concrete is a durable material that will last a lifetime if properly cared for.
We’ve added a few links to learn more about the care and maintenance of your concrete.
Why Concrete?
Concrete driveways are a more affordable alternative than asphalt. Concrete is poured at 4″ thick, and standard asphalt thickness is 2″. There is virtually no maintenance with concrete, as asphalt has to be sealed every couple of years.
Below are some benefits of choosing concrete for your residential or commercial flooring.
- Concrete is functional and naturally durable. It never needs replacement.
- Concrete is easy to maintain and clean.
- Concrete is allergy-friendly - it does not harbor dust, dirt, pollen, and other allergens and produces no irritating fumes from glues and adhesives.
- Concrete is a "green building" material, using some of the earth's most common and abundant minerals for its raw materials.
- Concrete flooring & counters add a sense of rustic beauty and timeless simplicity to any environment.
- Concrete is made from natural, earthy elements, rendering each flooring or countertop design uniquely original.
- Concrete allows unlimited possibilities for creative, custom design and artistry from sleekly contemporary to richly traditional.
- Concrete transitions well with other natural materials such as granite, marble, wood, glass & metals, allowing easy adaptability to any setting.
pros and cons of
stamped concrete and pavers
There isn’t a right or wrong choice when it comes to stamped concrete vs. pavers. If installed correctly, both can be a beautiful and lasting addition to your home. Each has pros and cons, which should be examined before making a choice.
It can be a toss-up when deciding to go with stamped concrete vs. pavers. When installed properly, both are excellent products. Just remember not to settle for the cheapest price. As with most other things, you usually get what you pay for.
PROS OF PAVERS
Because pavers are small and individually placed, there are never any cracks to worry about. Most repairs can be done quickly by replacing a few individual pavers, lifting them, and putting more sand underneath. Adding to or changing the shape of pavers can be done anytime rapidly down the road, and you can match the previously placed pavers exactly.
CONS OF PAVERS
Paver installation usually costs more than stamped concrete. Brick and interlocking pavers aren’t too costly, but other pavers, such as stone, can be expensive. Settled pavers can cause tripping hazards. Pavers can be a maintenance nightmare trying to keep up with dropping individual pavers and removing the growing weeds between them.
PROS OF STAMPED CONCRETE
Generally, stamped concrete is less expensive compared to pavers. Installing pavers is usually much more labor-intensive and time-consuming. Stamped concrete requires less maintenance. Nothing more than a coat of clear sealer every few years is all that is needed. Because stamped concrete is one continuous slab that should be rebarred together, there’s no worry about tripping hazards that individual pavers can create. The most significant advantage of stamped concrete is its versatility. Many patterns, textures, and colors are more readily available. You can also use concrete stains, dyes, and scoring techniques to enhance stamped concrete further.
CONS OF STAMPED CONCRETE
Almost all concrete eventually cracks can be a significant disadvantage compared to pavers. Cracks that may occur away from the control joints are impossible to fix, and any repairs usually end up more unsightly than the crack itself. If you want to change the shape or add on to stamped concrete, it’s almost impossible to exactly match the existing concrete without it looking like it was added on.
cost of stamped vs regular concrete
There are many factors to consider when determining stamped concrete cost.
How big is the project?
What pattern and color is chosen?
Is the project accessible for heavy equipment and trucks?
What is the location (region)?
Are there cold weather expenses?
How soon do you need it?
The size of the project will affect the square foot price of stamped concrete. Typically, the square foot price will decrease as the project size increases. Of course, this is true in just about all aspects of business.
The pattern and color selected affect the price because of the difficulty level with each stamping pattern and the cost of some colors compared to the rest. Seamless stamping patterns are the cheapest, and the price increases when you get into the patterned stamps. Some colors cost more to produce, especially when using integral colors.
The accessibility of the project can significantly affect price. If contractors can get to it with tractors and concrete trucks, then much money can be saved because less labor is required, and they don’t need buggies or pumps to pour the concrete.
Where you live can make a massive difference in cost. For example, stamped concrete will probably cost 2-3 times as much in California as in Indiana. As with most services, the price is directly related to the cost of living.
Pouring concrete in cold weather carries expenses that warm weather doesn’t. Precautions must be taken to ensure the sub-grade and the concrete don’t freeze. This may include using insulation blankets and accelerators in the concrete mix.
Expect to pay an inflated price if you demand that your project be done immediately or pushed ahead in the contractor’s schedule. A contractor usually won’t change his schedule and possibly anger other customers without making it worthwhile.
All these factors must be considered when determining stamped concrete cost. As a general rule, stamped concrete will be 2-3 times the price of regular concrete. But try to think of it as an investment. When appropriately installed and maintained, it will last a long time and increase the value of your property.