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The driveway is now ready to be concrete poured. A crew of several people will work quickly to fill in the forms with the concrete. In order to ensure the slab's ability to shift and fracture at controlled locations, the finishing crew should make sure there are enough expansion joints--grooves dotted across the surface. Natural settling and shifting can cause slab fragmentation.

Concrete is extremely durable and can withstand even extreme weather. Concrete is a popular material for landscaping design. However homeowners often prefer plain concrete.

Stamped cement looks very natural because the majority of stamping materials are made from real materials. Stamped concrete contractors will often combine surface-applied and integral colors in order to achieve natural-looking hues, similar to what you would find in real stone. Stamped concrete is actually more attractive than real concrete. You won't see weed or moss growth at the joints and it won’t rot/splinter if your imitation of wood planking.

For the least upfront cost, stamped concrete tends be the best option. Concrete is quite affordable, and it can cover a large area of land relatively quickly.

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Stamped or textured concrete, also called imprinted concrete, is a way to replicate natural stones like brick, tile, brick, and slate. This concrete is great for beautifying patios and driveways as well as pool decks and pools. It is an affordable paving choice that requires less upkeep than other materials.

After all the work has been completed, the curing is the most crucial part of a concrete driveway. Concrete does not cure immediately. Instead, concrete undergoes a slow chemical reaction that hardens and reinforces it. This curing process must take place under the best conditions. This starts with the weather. The ideal curing temperature is 70 degrees, with a surface that is kept moist but not wet. Curing in cool weather will take longer. To speed up curing in hot weather, you should dampen the surface with water.

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Stamped concrete creates the appearance of brick, stone, and wood. Concrete can be poured into molds with varying designs to make any type of pattern.
Concrete manufacturers experimented with decorative concrete techniques from the 1890s. Brad Bowman (considered to be the "father” of modern concrete stampeding, invented and patents new methods for making concrete that looks like flagstones and other non-concrete substances in the 1950s. He used wooden stamps with multiple concrete pieces that could be imprinted at once.

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Concrete driveways can be considered virtually maintenance-free, but it's important to keep them sealed and clean. A stiff brush and a hose can do the job, while concrete sealer adds a layer of protection. Sealer should not be applied more than once a month. You should seal your driveway in the fall, especially if you live near snowy areas. This will make sure that the slab is resistant to salts and winter storms.

Concrete driveways need not be just a square or rectangle. Depending upon the space available, you may choose to add a circle or an L-shape for garages that aren't directly facing the street. Installing a curved design is more costly because the contractor must make the forms. Some homes are built on a slope which is impossible to level, and extra labor is required to complete the driveway. Contractors have the ability to evaluate the foundation of concrete and pour it at the right grade.

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Stamped concrete has many steps. It must be performed quickly and accurately to get uniform results across the entire slab. The layout must be planned out and drawn, with all the necessary tools and labor available. After concrete has been poured and set to the required consistency, color hardeners can be applied. Before applying the stamp patterns to concrete, it is tested once again. Finishing the project includes detailing and cutting contraction joints.

These materials can be poured into a mold, or sanded to the desired size and shape. You can find something to fit your budget, even though some materials and designs may be more expensive than others.

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For a smoother surface, you can also use poured concrete. Most builders recommend stamped, poured concrete for wheelchair-accessible spaces since it creates a more even surface. This is ideal for areas with unusual shapes or large surface areas.
When properly installed, stamped concrete is extremely resistant to cracking. Stamped concrete can withstand minor cracking. However, cracks that do develop will blend into the pattern and join lines. There are ways to hide cracks that can be an eyesore. For basic steps to reduce cracking and improve performance, see Why Concrete Cracks.