12 Best Sewing Machine For Patchwork And Quilting

Best Sewing Machine For Patchwork And Quilting in 2023

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How to Stamp Concrete Right the First Time - And Avoid Stamped Concrete Nightmares

Stamped concrete mimics old-world cobblestones or chic tiles. A badly stamped concrete driveway resembles a patchwork quilt. Learn how to stamp concrete right the first time and also when to call in a professional.

Why Stamped Concrete?

A stamped concrete driveway can be a beautiful accent to a home. On another front, concrete stamping immediately alters the appearance of a concrete patio and turns drab to fab in an instant. In addition, stamped concrete is a lot cheaper than investing in real cobblestones or tiles and then painstakingly installing them.

Concrete Stamping Pitfalls

Unlike many other home improvement projects, concrete stamping is a mix of art, science and brawny labor. Missing the boat on the science results in a concrete patio that dries before all the stamping takes place; making mistakes in the art segment results in ill-fitting or uninspired designs. Failing in the labor aspect has the homeowner run out of steam halfway through the project.

How to Stamp Concrete

Choose the right concrete
It might be little more than a mixture of sand, water, gravel and cement, but the actual ingredient proportions make a huge difference. Add too much water, and the stamped concrete lacks depth; add too little water, and the homeowner has to learn 'how to remove concrete' in addition to 'how to stamp concrete'. Unless the do-it-yourselfer is well versed in the fine art of concrete mixing, it is wise to purchase ready-mixed product for delivery.

Pick the proper pattern
Straight-line errors are a leading cause of concrete stamping nightmares. Even a small error is amplified in curving stamped-concrete driveways. The beginner may wish to stick with a basic pattern or hire a professional. The advanced do-it-yourselfer may lay out the pattern prior to pouring the concrete to verify the fit and look.

Assemble the crew
Concrete stamping is not a one-person activity. In fact, many of the stamped concrete nightmares result from the lack of time to adequately complete the process. While there is not a lot of force required, the fact that poured concrete presents a rapidly decreasing window of time makes it necessary to have enough help to stamp the entire area in the least amount of time.

Pick realistic coloring
Stamped concrete 'works' - in part - because it creates an illusion. Color helps this process along. Choose a complementary color that completes the illusion and stay away from an en vogue color merely for its aesthetic appeal. While an azure driveway may be hip, it will always make a stamped concrete driveway look like someone ran over it with a pattern mat and then sprinkled the whole area with blue (which is essentially what took place). The choice of a hip color undoes the illusion the stamp offers.

On the other hand, a cobblestone stamped concrete area that is cleverly colored in slate and then properly sealed does further the illusion of the painstakingly handcrafted concrete patio or driveway. Getting input from a professional with respect to color choices is a good idea, even if it is the homeowner who will do the work.

Resource:
Walt Tools. "Overview of stamped concrete process." (accessed February 6, 2020)