Is decorative concrete the same as stamped concrete?

When it comes to decorative concrete, the term encompasses a wide range of concrete coatings and finishes. Stamped concrete is only one of the many finishes available under the umbrella of outdoor decorative concrete.

Stamped concrete

Stamped concrete is another popular decorative concrete method. Stamping a design and/or texture into freshly laid concrete is essentially what it is. It should be noted, however, that you may only stamp new concrete, not old concrete.
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Concrete that has been patterned or textured to resemble brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile, wood, and other patterns and textures is known as stamped concrete. Patios, walkways, roads, pool decks are all prominent uses for stamped concrete.

Flake flooring

Flake flooring is a decorative and long-lasting epoxy floor coating that can be applied to new or old concrete surfaces to protect and decorate them. Polyurea or polyaspartic resin, rather than epoxy, is now commonly used on exterior concrete since it withstands the sun better.
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Flake flooring consists of a primer, basecoat, colorful flake chips (similar to paint chips) that are broadcast 100 percent over the wet base coat, and one or two clear top coatings. Flake flooring is an excellent way to dress up your outside concrete.

Acid staining

Acid staining is a concrete finishing procedure in which water, hydrochloric acid, and acid-soluble metallic salts are mixed together. This combination penetrates the concrete and chemically reacts with the hydrated lime.

The stain creates a little scratch on the concrete surface, allowing the metallic salts to penetrate more easily. Various mixtures cause the concrete to take on various colors, depending on a variety of product and concrete characteristics.

Many individuals choose a bronze or copper treatment because it illuminates the concrete and gives it a rustic character!

Concrete overlay

A concrete overlay is a thin layer of polymer-modified concrete that is applied to existing concrete to resurface or repair it. Concrete overlays are thin-colored cement-based concrete products that are applied over existing concrete for repair or decoration. Depending on the desired finish, overlays can be applied as thin as a feather finish up to 3/4′′ in most circumstances.
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Because you can have different stencils or patterns put into the overlay, such as brick borders or to mimic wooden planks, it's a really unique way to decorate concrete. You may also use color washes to give the concrete overlay a cool rustic aesthetic by allowing the color wash to sit in the low regions.

Honed concrete

The word 'honed concrete' refers to a level of grinding that results in a matte surface that is even and smooth. Honed concrete is similar to polished concrete, except instead of being polished, it is left with a rougher surface. This makes honed concrete grippy, making it ideal for outdoor use where you want the stone exposure of polished concrete but yet want it to be safe to walk on in a variety of settings.