Professional Home Referrals-Get The Look Of Stone With Stamped Concrete

SPRINGBORO, OH, April 07, 2011 (Press-News.org) Stone and paver patios can enhance a landscape and be the center piece for your guests to enjoy for a Saturday evening barbecue. Although, a natural stone or paver patio can be expensive there are alternatives with stamped concrete creating the real look of pavers or natural stone including flag stone, brick, cobble stone, slate and more. Paver patios can be very tedious and more costly for the average DIY'er having to lay each individual paver or stone. Concrete is placed quicker and easier. Durability is an issue as well. Concrete will last years longer than pavers and the maintenance will be less cumbersome as well.

Cost

Basic $8-$12 per sq/ft. A bit more expensive than typical gray concrete but you'll get the desire to choose at least one color to integrate and provide a visually appealing driveway, patio, or walk.

Intermediate $12-$18 per sq/ft. With this price point, more colors (2-3) are utilized and several patterns can be incorporated. A border pattern may be added to really bring out the main colors in the field. This level is a bit more labor intensive and provides a high end look.

Advanced $18 and up per sq/ft. This price point will bring you the ultimate in concrete stamping. Providing a very high end look incorporating saw cutting, staining, multiple patterns, and hand artistic effects.

Maintenance

As with any concrete you will still need to maintain the surface. You will want top speak with your installing contractor to determine what the best type of sealer is to use. You will want to apply a sealer every couple of years. The color will fade a bit but with a good sealer, the color should remain vibrant. Be cautious if you are not sure if a sealer was applied originally as there may be compatibility issues and the finish may become compromised. You may want to do a test patch and let it go through several weather cycles to determine if the sealer you have chosen will be a good fit for your application.

Needing a driveway, back yard patio, or walk completed for spring? Contact us today to get connected with a professional that can do the job right. Visit us on the web at http://www.prohomereferrals.com or via email at info@prohomereferrals.com for more information on completing your project the right way.