Stamped Concrete Patios Pros and Cons

Stamped Concrete Patios Pros and Cons

Stamped Concrete Patios

Patios are patio areas outside your home or building that allow you to entertain guests. Patios come in all shapes and sizes and can be made from many different materials. Most patios are practical in nature, though some in the past were decorative only.

Patios can be made from concrete, brick, stone, wood, and vinyl. It is always best to have a concrete patio because it is more economical and durable than the other types of patio materials.

Stamped concrete patios are typically done on front and back yards. They can be made with different colors and designs, giving them a unique look.

Stamped Concrete Patios Pros and Cons

The popularity of stamped concrete patios has been increasing in the past few years. There are many reasons why people choose stamped concrete instead of other types of patios. Stamped concrete is an affordable option for homeowners, it can be used to create designs on the patio, and it is environmentally friendly as well. It is easy to maintain and clean which makes it a great patio for families with children and pets as well.

Stamped Concrete Patios Pros

Stamped concrete patios are one of the most popular choices for homeowners looking to replace their old, dated, or worn out concrete patio. This type of patio offers a number of advantages that can help to make your outdoor living space much more enjoyable

1. Cheaper than Pavers: The biggest pro of having a stamped concrete patio is the fact that the price is significantly lower than that of other kinds of patios. Stamped concrete patios tend to be cheaper because the labor and materials are less than many other kinds of patios.
2. Many colors Available: The many colors available for stamped concrete patios also make this kind of patio a great option for those who are looking for a color that is not offered by other kinds of patios
3. Durable and long lasting: This type of patio is more durable than a traditional concrete patio. If well installed, stamped concrete patio could have a maximum life expectancy of 20 to 30 years.
4. Easy Cleaning: Stamped concrete patios are also known to be easy-to-clean. This is a great pro of stamped concrete patios for people who have kids and pets running around on their patio.
5. Integrates Well with Yards: Not only can this type of patio be used for the exterior of your home, but it also works well for the interior of your home as well.
6. Seamless Finish: This kind of patio looks like it was poured straight from the ground and will match the home perfectly. It doesn’t appear to be a patio at all, but rather it just appears seamless with your yard.
7. Environmentally Friendly: Many people are becoming more eco-friendly in this day and age so having a concrete patio might not be good because other materials are not environmentally friendly. However, stamped concrete patios are concrete but with a polymer coating added to them that is only there for the lifespan of the patio. This gives it a much shorter lifespan than traditional concrete but is still eco-friendly.

Stamped Concrete Patios Cons

1. Not all colors will last: Unlike pavers, some of the colors you choose for your stamped concrete patio might fade away after repeated use or severe weathering. This is why it is important to choose the colors that last the longest.
2. Some people have difficulty cleaning it: Many people have trouble cleaning stamped concrete patios because it can be difficult to get off certain substances from it. This is why when choosing a stamped concrete patio, it is important to choose one with a high-quality sealer that will not be easily removed easily and will withstand any weathering or harsh conditions you put your patio through.
3. Not very DIY friendly: This is a pro for some people but a con for others. If you don’t like doing any DIY projects and would rather pay someone else to do them, then this is not the kind of patio to use. However, if you enjoy DIY projects and can do them yourself, then this will be a great patio for you.
4. Expensive to Replace: When you have a stamped concrete patio, it is expensive to replace the sealer and other materials that must be replaced all the time. This is why many people only last for one or two versions of the patio before it is so worn out it’s not worth fixing anymore.
5. Not as durable as pavers: Because there are so many colors that are available for stamped concrete patios, however, some of the colors will fade after heavy usage or severe weathering. This isn’t the case for all colors but it is a factor that many people do not consider when choosing the patio. This is why many will decide to only choose the colors that are more likely to last.
6. Requires Maintenance: The fact that it requires maintenance is also a pro for some people and a con for others. The polymer coating used on stamped concrete patios can chip, fade, crack or come off if you are not careful with it or if you don’t take care of it well enough. With stamped concrete being a more economical choice upfront, if you choose to seal the surface, you will be committed to resealing it every 2-5 years. This is why it is important to choose a high-quality sealer that will not fade or wear off easily.
7. Not environmentally friendly: Some sealers or polymer coating used in stamped concrete patios could also be environmentally unfriendly as well. When choosing a stamped concrete patio, it is important to look into how much of the polymer coating was used in the actual concrete itself, and how strong and long lasting of a protection it truly provides.
8. Repairs can be difficult: Sometimes repairs to a stamped concrete patio can be difficult depending on what happened, and where it happened. There are ways you can repair your stamped concrete patio, but if you are not careful you could end up making the problem worse or damaging it further.
9. Can be damaged by freeze/thaw cycles and deicing salts: It is also important to note that if there are any cracks or chips in your patio, the freeze/thaw cycles and deicing salts can make the problem much larger. This is why it is important to take care of small problems right away in order to prevent them from becoming larger problems later on.
10. Installation can be difficult: The installation process of having a stamped concrete patio can also be difficult depending on how big or how much you need done. You can pay someone to install it for you or you can do it yourself. If you do the installation yourself, make sure that you are well prepared before doing it otherwise you could spend a lot of time and money and end up not being happy with how it turned out.
11. Can be slippery: Although stamped concrete is much more durable than many other patio materials, there are times when it will be slippery. If you are going to be using your patio for recreational purposes, it is important to consider having some non-slip material like paver stones or a plastic mat.
12.   Can crack easily Although stamped concrete is one of the most durable types of concrete, there are times when it will still crack. Not only with it crack while it is being installed but it could also sometimes crack over time as well. This was found to be the case in a school playground when they were putting on a new layer of stamped concrete pavers. The commercial grade is very durable, but people don’t take proper care of it. If the concrete isn’t properly cured or if it gets used too soon after installation, there is a greater chance of it cracking. Abrasive cleaning and improper use are also high risk situations for cracking to occur.
13. Can be expensive: The cost of stamped concrete can be anywhere from $12/sq.ft for regular use to $40/sq.ft for commercial use (4 x 4 patio). This is much more than other types of patio materials such as brick or natural stone.
14. Requires professional installation: For anyone that has not had much experience working with concrete, installing stamped concrete may not be the best idea. It is much easier to install when you have proper training. Otherwise, mistakes can quickly add up, and before you know it, your project will be in limbo.

Stamped Concrete Patio Installation Process