In the residential market, stamped concrete is turning heads and boosting curb appeal as a paving material for driveways, pool decks, walkways, patios and entryways, often as an alternative to brick pavers or natural stone. And it's being installed in all areas of the country, from Southern California to Northern Minnesota.

Decorative Concrete of the Tri-State in Ashland, KY

Decorative Concrete Institute in Temple, GA

That's because no matter what the climate, properly installed decorative stamped concrete offers the same durability, strength and permanence as conventional concrete. When the right mix design and placement procedures are used, exterior stamped concrete can be installed year-round in most regions of the country (see our seasonal pouring tips). And it doesn’t matter whether your stamped concrete is exposed to freeze-thaw conditions, the harsh desert sun, or salty ocean breezes. When properly sealed and maintained, stamped concrete will withstand even the harshest weather extremes. Furthermore, with sufficient reinforcement, it also bears up well under vehicle and heavy foot traffic. Because of these qualities, stamped concrete is also a practical choice for enhancing public places, such as theme parks, shopping malls, lobbies, parking lots and zoos.

You can give stamped concrete regional flair by using colors, patterns and textures that blend with the local environment. See these real-world examples of where stamped concrete is being installed from coast to coast:

Northwest

Pool deck in Gig Harbor, Wash.
Pattern: Tile

Patio in Portland, Ore.
Pattern: Ashler slate

Driveway in Spokane, Wash.
Pattern: Arizona Flagstone

West / Southwest

Walkway in Madera, Calif.
Pattern: Random stone

Pool deck in Rialto, Calif.
Pattern: Ashlar slate

Walkway in Tucson, Ariz.
Pattern: Ashlar slate

Mountain

Patio in Aurora, Colo.
Pattern: Seamless stone texture

Courtyard in Denver, Colo.
Pattern: Seamless stone texture

Driveway in Hamilton, Mont.
Pattern: Ashlar slate

Midwest

Patio in Carterville, Ill.
Pattern: European fan cobblestone

Front porch in Cokato, Minn.
Pattern: Wood plank

Pool deck in Denmark, Wis.
Pattern: Seamless stone texture

Mid-South

Pool deck in Humble, Texas
Pattern: European fan cobblestone

Driveway in Lowell, Ark.
Pattern: Ashlar slate

Entryway in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Pattern: Old-World cobblestone

Mid-Atlantic

Pool deck in Crescent, Pa.
Pattern: Brick with exposed aggregate border

Walkway in Charles Town, W. Va.
Pattern: Ashlar slate with a brick border

Patio in Gaithersburg, Md.
Pattern: Ashlar slate with a brick border

Northeast

Pool deck in Acton, Mass.
Pattern: Ashlar slate

Walkway in Belford, N.J.
Pattern: European fan cobblestone

Walkway in Old Greenwich, Conn.
Pattern: Ashlar slate

Southeast

Patio in Douglasville, Ga.
Pattern: Ashlar slate

Walkway in Greer, S.C.
Pattern: Ashlar Slate

Walkway in Opa-Locka, Fla.
Pattern: Ashlar slate

Canada

Pool deck in Ottawa, Ont.
Pattern: Seamless stone texture

Patio in Whitby, Ont.
Pattern: Ashlar Slate

Driveway in Airdrie, Alb.
Pattern: Seamless stone texture

Although you typically see stamped concrete outdoors and underfoot, more people are now awakening to the many applications for stamped concrete indoors. Among the latest trends:

  • Installing concrete floors stamped with tile, slate, fieldstone or even wood-plank patterns in entrances, kitchens, family rooms and basements.
  • Enhancing walls or fireplaces with vertical stamped overlays. These lightweight cement-based mixes can be applied thickly to wall surfaces without sagging, making it possible to imprint them with deep cut-stone patterns.
  • Adding decorative interest to concrete countertops, bartops and bathroom vanities. Even small embellishments, such as delicate leaf imprints, can have a dramatic impact because these surfaces are closer to eye level.
  • Rejuvenating existing concrete floors with stampable polymer-modified overlays, which offer the same design options as conventional stamped concrete.

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