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Facts About Stamped Concrete

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

What is Stamped Concrete?

Stamped concrete describes the process of coloring concrete and then taking a rubber stamp and pressing the concrete surface with patterns resembling brick, cemented stone, paving stone, hardwood, and much more! This unique and surprisingly affordable process can create a myriad of custom designs.

Stamped Concrete Colors & Textures

Stamped concrete, also known as decorative concrete, imprinted concrete, patterned concrete, and painted concrete, provides countless cost-effective design options. Stamped concrete can be manipulated to match almost any color or pattern you can think of, ensuring that you have a unique, aesthetically pleasing concrete surface.

Popular Stamped Concrete Projects

•     Stamped Concrete Pool Decks: A stamped concrete pool deck can give your landscape that extra element of aesthetic beauty that you have been looking for. This is why stamped concrete has become one of the most popular  pool deck materials around.

•     Stamped Concrete Walkways: Unlike bricks or pavers, stamped concrete is a continuous concrete surface. So you don’t have to worry about shifting or weeds and grass creeping through the cracks as you would with bricks and pavers.

•     Stamped Concrete Patios: Decorative concrete can mimic the appearance of other popular materials, such as limestone, flagstone, crushed granite, pavers, brick, and even wood. Oh yea, and did I mention that stamped concrete is cheaper to use than all of those other materials?

•     Stamped Concrete Driveway: Stamped concrete is one of the most aesthetically pleasing driveway options on the market today. Although plain gray cement is still the number one driveway material used, more and more people are choosing to install a stamped concrete driveway, because of its instant curb appeal.

If you think Stamped Concrete might be right for your home, contact Marrocco’s Stamped Concrete by calling 877.479.7100 or by clicking here.

Customer service and personal contact is foremost in our business plan. In order for us to retain the level of expertise we expect and you deserve, we place our strongest efforts in the geographical area of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Carroll County, Columbia, Frederick, Howard County, Montgomery County, Rockville, Towson, and Queen Ann’s County in Maryland. In Virginia we service Fairfax County and Loudon County. And we cover Washington D.C. as well.

Marrocco’s Stamped Concrete specializes in Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland decorative concrete installation, installing Stamped Concrete in Baltimore, Annapolis, Springfield, and more. But even if you are outside of our area of primary concentration, contact us and we will be happy to assist you to the best of our abilities.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Important Facts About Stamped Concrete

The Benefits of Stamped Concrete Walkways

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Are you looking for a unique home improvement project that will add instant curb appeal to your home? Well, look no further. Nothing gives your front yard more of a wow factor than a stamped concrete walkway.

Everyone installs fences, replaces shutters, or landscapes.  But not everyone has a vibrant, colorful decorative concrete walkway. So if you truly want your home to turn heads, break away from boring gray cement sidewalks and install a stamped concrete sidewalk instead.

Benefits of Decorative Concrete Walkways

  • Aesthetically pleasing, providing instant curb appeal.
  • Continuous concrete surface. You don’t have to worry about shifting or weeds or grass creeping through the cracks as you would with bricks and pavers.
  • Stamped concrete is durable.
  • Scratch resistant.
  • Stain resistant.
  • Requires little maintenance.
  • Versatile design options.
  • Stamped concrete’s color and texture combinations are nearly endless.
  • Stamped concrete mimic the look and feel of brick, limestone, flagstone, crushed granite, and pavers,
  • With stamped concrete, it is simple to design a walkway to match any home décor.

It is easy to see why an increasing number of homeowners are choosing stamped concrete over bricks, pavers, and, of course, gray cement.

If you think Stamped Concrete might be right for your home, contact Marrocco’s Stamped Concrete by calling 877.479.7100 or by clicking here.

Customer service and personal contact is foremost in our business plan. In order for us to retain the level of expertise we expect and you deserve, we place our strongest efforts in the geographical area of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Carroll County, Columbia, Frederick, Howard County, Montgomery County, Rockville, Towson, and Queen Ann’s County in Maryland. In Virginia we service Fairfax County and Loudon County. And we cover Washington D.C. as well.

Marrocco’s Stamped Concrete specializes in Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland decorative concrete walkway installation, installing Stamped Concrete walkways in Baltimore, Annapolis, Springfield, and more. But even if you are outside of our area of primary concentration, contact us and we will be happy to assist you to the best of our abilities.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Pavers vs. Stamped Concrete

Finding a Stamped Concrete Contractor in Maryland

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

Choosing decorative concrete for your new walkway, patio, or pool deck is easy. Choosing a stamped concrete contractor to complete your home improvement project is hard. Luckily for you, we have compiled a step-by-step guide to help you find a reliable contractor.

1.   Educate Yourself: Know the ins and outs of your stamped concrete project before you even start searching for a stamped concrete contractor. The more you know, the easier it will be to find a decorative concrete contractor.

2.   Search the Internet: Compile a list of potential contractors.

3.   Set up Interviews: When talking to a contractor, clearly communicate your ideas. And be sure to ask lots and lots of questions (ask each contractor the same set of questions).

  1. How long have you been in business?
  2. Can I have 3 references from customers in the past 12 months?
  3. What professional/trade organizations are you are a member of?
  4. What insurance coverage do you have?
  5. Do you have a “before and after” picture portfolio?

4.   Narrow Your Search: Based on your interviews, narrow down your potential contractors to your top 3 favorites.

5.   Ask for Estimates: But do not make your decision on price alone.

6.   Call References: Ask the following questions:

  1. How long ago did this contractor work for you?
  2. What was the quality of the finished project?
  3. Did the project go over the original estimate?
  4. Did the contractor stay on schedule?
  5. Did the contractor stay on-site to supervise during the project?
  6. How accessible was the contractor?
  7. And, most importantly, would you recommend this contractor?

7.    Check Completed Projects: Don’t be afraid to ask references if you can come take a look at the finished stamped concrete project.

8.    Make Your Decision: And make sure it is a decision that you will be happy with.

If you follow the above guidelines, you are sure to find a qualified, reliable decorative concrete contractor!

If you think Stamped Concrete might be right for your home, contact Marrocco’s Stamped Concrete by calling 877.479.7100 or by clicking here.

Customer service and personal contact is foremost in our business plan. In order for us to retain the level of expertise we expect and you deserve, we place our strongest efforts in the geographical area of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Carroll County, Columbia, Frederick, Howard County, Montgomery County, Rockville, Towson, and Queen Ann’s County in Maryland. In Virginia we service Fairfax County and Loudon County. And we cover Washington D.C. as well.

Marrocco’s Stamped Concrete specializes in Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland decorative concrete installation, installing Stamped Concrete in Baltimore, Annapolis, Springfield, and more. But even if you are outside of our area of primary concentration, contact us and we will be happy to assist you to the best of our abilities.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Choosing a Decorative Concrete Contractor

What is Stamped Concrete?

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Stamped concrete, also known as decorative concrete, imprinted concrete, patterned concrete, and painted concrete, refers to the process of pouring slab concrete, adding color, and then impressing patterns and textures onto the concrete before it fully dries. This unique and surprisingly affordable process can create a myriad of custom designs or can be used to mimic the look of other popular materials, such as cobblestones, brick, pavers, wood, seashells, and more.

Process of Laying Stamped Concrete

  1. Place the concrete (no more than 4” thick)
  2. Add color. Color is added either in the mixer or after concrete placement.
    1. Integral coloring: adding the color in the mixer
    2. Broadcast or surface coloring: adding color after surface placement
  3. Apply release agent, allowing the texturizing mats to come off without taking off concrete.
  4. Lay mats. Texturizing mats are laid in succession.
  5. Let dry 24 hours.
  6. Pressure wash the release agent off.
  7. Clear sealing.

Benefits of Stamped Concrete

•     Unlimited variety of colors and patterns

•     Not susceptible to frost heaves or changes in the underlying surface

•     One, continuous surface, so no room for weeds

•     Incredibly durable

•     Excellent longevity

•     Can be installed on slopes and areas that would prove troublesome for other materials

•     Easy to maintain

•     Easy to clean

•     Installation is quick

•     Completely customizable

For good reason, this home improvement trend has seemed to catch recently. Stamped Concrete can be used for driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks, flooring, and more!

If you think Stamped Concrete might be right for your home, contact Marrocco’s Stamped Concrete by calling 877.479.7100 or by clicking here.

Customer service and personal contact is foremost in our business plan. In order for us to retain the level of expertise we expect and you deserve, we place our strongest efforts in the geographical area of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Carroll County, Columbia, Frederick, Howard County, Montgomery County, Rockville, Towson, and Queen Ann’s County in Maryland. In Virginia we service Fairfax County and Loudon County. And we cover Washington D.C. as well.

Marrocco’s Stamped Concrete specializes in Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland decorative concrete installation, installing Stamped Concrete in Baltimore, Annapolis, Springfield, and more. But even if you are outside of our area of primary concentration, contact us and we will be happy to assist you to the best of our abilities.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Stamped Concrete

The Benefits of Stamped Concrete Patios in Maryland

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Have you always dreamed of installing a slate, flagstone, or cobblestone patio, but cannot afford it? Or maybe you are just worried about the constant maintenance. Whatever the case may be, you have forgone the patio of your dreams for one reason or another. But what if I told you that you could have that patio you have always dreamed of for a fraction of the cost and with considerably less maintenance? Well, you can with Stamped Concrete!

Also known as decorative concrete, imprinted concrete, patterned concrete, and painted concrete, stamped concrete refers to the process of stamping patterns and textures into concrete to mimic the look of natural materials, but at a fraction of the cost. Stamped concrete can replicate, in color, texture, and pattern, nearly any natural surface you can think of, but it can also be used to create completely unique designs, as well.

Other Advantages of Stamped Concrete Patios are:

  • Stamped Concrete offers an unlimited array of patterns and colors
  • Stamped Concrete can be installed in areas that may create problems for pavers and other materials such as slopes, uneven ground or hilly areas.
  • Stamped concrete is incredibly durable and easy to maintain, two things that lead to excellent longevity.
  • The installation of stamped concrete is pretty fast when compared to other building materials.
  • Stamped Concrete allows you, the customer, to customize your color, pattern, etc.
  • Stamped Concrete can be used for driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks, and flooring.

If you think Stamped Concrete might be right for your home, contact Marrocco’s Stamped Concrete by calling 877.479.7100 or by clicking here.

Customer service and personal contact is foremost in our business plan. In order for us to retain the level of expertise we expect and you deserve, we place our strongest efforts in the geographical area of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Carroll County, Columbia, Frederick, Howard County, Montgomery County, Rockville, Towson, and Queen Ann’s County in Maryland. In Virginia we service Fairfax County and Loudon County. And we cover Washington D.C. as well.

Marrocco’s Stamped Concrete specializes in Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland decorative concrete patio installation, installing Stamped Concrete patios in Baltimore, Annapolis, Springfield, and more. But even if you are outside of our area of primary concentration, contact us and we will be happy to assist you to the best of our abilities.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Stamped Concrete Patios