By Alex Joy
If you’re looking to add a driveway to your home in Portland, you most likely want to go with an option that is durable, affordable, and aesthetically pleasing. Stamped concrete is an excellent option that fits into those descriptions. With its ability to mimic high-end material options such as stone pavers at much lesser costs, they keep growing as the popular choice among homeowners.
So, if you’re wondering whether stamped concrete driveways are the right choice in Portland, you may want to consider the following advantages and downsides of it. Read more on our website at https://portlandstampedconcrete.com/.
Varieties
There are a wide variety of options to pick from when deciding the kind of stamped concrete surface for your landscape. These options are not just in colors, but also in textures and patterns. Stamped concrete can also imitate almost any surface including weathered lumber, marble, stone, etc. Aesthetics is one of the major reasons why homeowners love to install stamped concrete driveways in their homes. It is a cost-effective way to boost the attractiveness of your landscape.
Ease of installation
Easy installation is one of the main advantages of stamped concrete driveways in Portland. When compared to pavers, the intensity of labor required for the installation of a stamped concrete surface is far less, especially when you consider that in the installation of pavers, each paver has to be hauled and set. All that’s required for stamped concrete installation is to mix, pour, and stamp the concrete.
As easy as the installation is, the chances of error during the installation of stamped concrete can be high. Concrete is a mixture of cement powder and water. There’s a risk of a poor finish and rough edges when the water content of the mixture is in excess because concrete easily adjusts to the stamp. Also, an excessively dry mixture can cause bulging and premature cracking.
Durability
Another good thing about stamped concrete driveways is that they are easy to clean and require little to no maintenance to sustain their patterned appearance. However, in comparison to other finished surfaces, stamped concrete may not be as durable.
Stamped concrete may not do well with excessively heavy loads, making them easily have cracks and scratches. So, if you intend to drive heavy trucks on your driveway, then stamped concrete may not be an excellent option. For a patio, path, or walkway, stamped concrete is likely to do well as it can easily withstand the pressure of light loads.
Repairs
If you’re wondering if stamped concrete will crack, then your question should change from “if” to “when”. It’s simply a matter of time, a stamped concrete surface will eventually give way because of settling and weather changes. This is mainly because the temperature fluctuations can cause the concrete to expand and contract, ultimately causing the concrete to crack.
One major problem with repairing stamped concrete surfaces is that there’s always the issue of being able to match the original color and pattern. It is always very difficult to restore it to its original state. While stamped concrete is not as expensive as other driveway choices, it could cost you more in the long run if cracks are a huge turn-off to you.
Is stamped concrete slippery?
Concrete can easily absorb liquids, stains, and spills. Because of the porous nature of this material, it is best that stamped concrete be sealed after it has cured. The typical material used in sealing outdoor concrete surfaces is clear acrylic. This helps the concrete to repel water and enhances its color.
Once the sealer dries, a plastic-like fill is formed over the concrete surface. Now, here’s the issue: Since the sealer is resistant to water, pools of water tend to form on the concrete surface, which makes then makes the surface slippery. This downside is particularly common when the sealer has been applied in an excessively thick layer.
Fortunately, there are a couple of ways to make stamped concrete surfaces less slippery. One of the most effective ways to do this is to mix the sealer with a non-slip additive before the sealer is applied to the concrete surface. Some of the commonly used additives include silica, polymer beads, or glass beads. With any of this added, the sealer gives a gritty texture.
Conclusion
Stamped concrete can be an excellent choice for the driveway of your home in Portland. It remains one of the most aesthetic choices you can go for. They are easy to install and maintain. Mixing non-slip additives to the sealer is a sure way of making the stamped concrete surface safe for you, as it makes it easy to maintain grit on the surface even when wet.
Although stamped concrete is easy to install, excess water in the mixture can make the installation go bad. That’s why you should let hire a professional to do the job for you. Check out Angie’s list of reputable stamped concrete installers in Portland.
