So, you are thinking about adding some curb appeal with Stamped Concrete. That is a smart decision. It is a great way to get the look of natural stone, brick, or wood. You get this without the high price tag as well as without a lot of maintenance. Our team at Neighborly Concrete Solutions sees homeowners in Murray weighing these options quite often. It is not always clear which one is right for your home. We will talk about the differences between new Stamped Concrete and Stamped Concrete Overlays.
New Stamped Concrete: The Full Deal
This is what most people think of when they consider Stamped Concrete. We will excavate the area as well as prepare the base. Our team will then pour fresh concrete. After that, while it is still wet and workable, we press the patterns right into the surface. We will add color hardeners or stains to the surface as well as seal it up. This process gives you a brand new Stamped Concrete installation for your Murray home.
Cost
A brand-new Stamped Concrete installation is generally the more expensive choice upfront. You are paying for all of the materials as well as the labor for excavation. Our team also handles the forming as well as the pouring. In addition, there is the stamping and finishing work. You are looking at anywhere from $8 to $28 per square foot for a new Stamped Concrete project in Murray. This cost does not include removing any old concrete if it is already there.
Durability
New Stamped Concrete is very durable when it is done right. It is a solid slab of concrete. This is just like your standard driveway or patio, but it has a decorative finish. It can easily last 25 to 30 years or even more. The patterns are pressed deep into the slab. This means they are not going anywhere for a long time.
Maintenance
All concrete needs regular sealing. We tell our Murray clients to plan on resealing their Stamped Concrete every 2 to 3 years. This protects the surface from our hot, dry summers as well as our snowy winters. It also prevents fading and keeps water from getting into those textured grooves. If you skip the sealing, your Stamped Concrete will show wear faster.
Appearance
This is where new Stamped Concrete really stands out. The patterns are pressed into fresh, wet concrete. You get deep, natural textures that look very realistic. Our team can achieve a very authentic stone, brick, or wood plank look. This look has a lot of depth as well as detail for your Murray property.
Stamped Concrete Overlay: The Smart Refresh
A Stamped Concrete Overlay is also called concrete resurfacing. This is a different kind of project. We apply a thin layer of a special polymer-modified cement mix over your existing, structurally sound concrete. Once that layer is down, we can stamp patterns into it. This is just like we do with new Stamped Concrete. Neighborly Concrete Solutions offers Stamped Concrete Overlays for homes in Murray.
Cost
The cost is often a big reason why people choose an overlay. A Stamped Concrete Overlay is usually much cheaper than a full tear-out and replacement. You are typically looking at $3 to $15 per square foot for a Stamped Concrete Overlay. Decorative stamped overlays usually fall into the $8 to $15 range. If your existing concrete is in good shape, you save a lot of money. You do not have to demolish and haul away the old material.
Durability
A Stamped Concrete Overlay that is installed correctly can last a good 25 years. This is similar to new concrete. This is especially true if the concrete slab underneath is sound. The key here is proper installation.