Upgrade Your Curb Appeal with Stamped Concrete

Perhaps it’s not something we like to think about often, but the fact is that first impressions are important. People do judge books by their covers, construct opinions quickly, and buy houses based on curb appeal. Experts have noted that about 82 percent of home buyers will reject a home or accept one simply based on the exterior. A beautiful porch, patio, and driveway that has been landscaped with careful design contributes to a good “gut feeling” for any buyer.

There are several aspects of a home that are actually thought about and judged later on, like the strength of the foundation, the quality of the materials used, and the acreage of the yard. Yet when it comes to an immediate first impression, all those areas can be overlooked in favour of a stunning house-front. You, too, can dramatically increase your curb appeal —and you should see what Elite Concrete can do for you when it comes to fostering your most creative sensibilities.

Understanding Stamped Concrete

One of the best aspects of utilizing stamped concrete is its significant malleability. In comparison to other options that involve setting individual stones into a walkway, concrete provides an incredible flexibility at a much lower cost. While concrete will never cost you as much as a brick, slate, flagstone, or limestone walkway or driveway, it is capable of holding the exact style and look of those stones without any extra effort.

Essentially, you can pick and choose from variations in pattern, colour, and acid staining or washing for texture and effect without worrying about the cost. Imagine your walkway adorned with brick, which can add a classic touch to your entryway. Or, if you enjoy the antique or vintage look of many older houses, a limestone finish created by experts such as the team at Elite Concrete can provide a rustic style without any of the fragility of an actual stone driveway.

Why is Concrete Better?

Concrete is durable, much less prone to cracking, and low maintenance compared to stones that break down due to impact from vehicles and climate. They’re not made to last long-term, whereas the process of stamping from Elite Concrete includes a few steps that make the material sustainable and tough. The first step includes adding a base color, which is done by adding a color dye hardener to the concrete in its liquid state. The second part involves adding a secondary color that helps bring out natural imperfections of the material that you want your concrete to resemble. The last step involves stamping poured concrete to create a design. The stamp is usually made of polyurethane, which is a polymer that a concrete specialist can use to mold a natural look from concrete, and usually, there’s a final step of sealer which protects it even more thoroughly from weather conditions. As you can see, you can easily increase your curb appeal without having to dig too far into your pockets.