Pelican Parts Forums - Thoughts on Stamped Concrete for backyard

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Here there 3 km long sidewalk in a park adjacent to a lovely beach has a 2m wide colored stamped path and a 1m wide smooth path adjacent to it. I blade on the smooth sector. Most walkers, runners, and bicyclists use the smooth sector. The decorative aspects of the stamped area are pleasing. Before you get out the Jack hammer, check out some Bali Modern or Bali House photographs. Contrasting stone, bricks, and concrete make for some beautiful texture variations.

Diverdan

Even experienced contractors screw up the stamped/patterned concrete. Had it done around my pool, viewed and used him before, but they sealed it too soon after a rain and sealer came up.

Gator grip is added to sealer so it isn't slippery: Amazon.com: BonWay 32-540 Gator Grip Slip Resistant Additive for 1 Gallon: Home Improvement

Concrete is typically colored, and additional, contrasting color is broadcast on the wet cement.

Just reported a post to the mods...only my second time ever doing that, but probably won't be my last :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911 (Post 7987265)

Just reported a post to the mods...only my second time ever doing that, but probably won't be my last :)

I do it all the time. Been on this forum for 14 years, unfortunately it's so big now that people troll google and post here b/c it comes up all the time in searches.

I have stamped concrete in the backyard all the way around the pool.

You do have to seal it at least every other year or it will stain.
But it is well worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig T (Post 7985458)

Perfect timing for this question....I'm doing interlocking pavors as we speak. Here's why...

Eight years ago I was faced with your exact same situation. We re-landscaped our entire back yard, with outdoor living area, fireplace, and a rock formation pool. We decided to go with stamped and colored natural granite-look concrete to tie into the rock pool. They put a cool product in the sealer called "Sharks Skin" to keep if from being slippery when wet.

For two years I loved it. But, the sealer wore off quickly and it looked faded and terrible...and DID get slippery when wet. It was surprisingly expensive to reseal, done twice in five years. The natural contours in the stamp hold water and developed algae or some type of moss.

Then the cracks started. Most in expansion joints, but not all. With concrete, it's not IF it cracks, just where and how bad.

Last week I had a major irrigation issue and had to tear out my front patio and walkway (1200 sq ft). I went with pavors without a seconds thought. This picture is from this morning. They started yesterday and should finish today :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1396017118.jpg

Yep! Good advice here! We have stained and textured concrete for a patio and walkway in the backyard and I have to stain and reseal every year or two. We stained the concrete after it was cured (Smith Color Floor) and the sealer is good, but very expensive, foul-smelling and not durable. It looks nice after I reseal it and it lasts for almost 2 years, but I've already noticed that I'll have to restain and reseal in the spring after our especially severe winter.