Stamped concrete, commonly referred to as patterned concrete or imprinted concrete, is concrete that is designed to resemble brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile and even wood.

Stamped concrete can be used to beautify pool decks, driveways, entries, courtyards, and patios. Due to the wide array of options when it comes to concrete pattern, concrete colors, and the cost of stamped, or imprinted concrete in relation to the materials it is a substitute for, the choice of stamped concrete is becoming more popular and frequent.

Colors and patterns for stamped cement are often chosen to blend with other stone, tile or patterned concrete elements at the residence. Complex designs incorporating steps, courtyards, and fountains can be achieved when patterns are pressed into the concrete. Stamped concrete can also be blended with other decorative concrete elements such as exposed aggregate finishes and acid-etch staining, along with a particular pattern, such as running bond brick, hexagonal tile, worn rock or stone. Concrete provides the perfect canvas for creating an economical replica of more expensive materials, and yet still maintaining a very natural, authentic look.

The concept of doing stamped concrete work with a volumetric mixer is for the most part identical to providing colored concrete. In order to stamp the concrete it  needs to be colored.  You may want to refer to the icon on the website labeled “Colored Concrete”. Nonetheless volumetric mixers do play a role in the stamping of concrete. Pending how the stamping of the concrete is done it can be a long and arduous process and involve several logistic factors such as the availability of manpower and current weather conditions which can provide serious challenges to successfully completing the job. In addition, most stamped concrete applications are flat work which is most likely one of the last items to be completed on a residential or commercial housing project. In many of these cases a direct access the forms will be difficult. Be prepared to have a pump on hand so you can get the concrete to the site quickly and efficiently.  The ability to produce concrete on site with a volumetric mixer provide the contractor the ability to perform this type of work without delay and without having to sacrifice the quality of the concrete. Fresh concrete on demand is an advantage to the potential challenges contractors face, and a volumetric mixer can not only make the job go easier but can be more lucrative to the provider of the concrete as well.