Artistic Concrete has been a family owned and operated business for over eighteen years. We started out doing foundations and then gradually switched over to strictly Decorative Stamped Concrete. We service Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts. We pride ourselves on our craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.

DECORATIVE STAMPED CONCRETE

Decorative Stamped Concrete traces its roots to the early 1970’s, has grown in popularity in the last five to ten years. When correctly installed, it can closely resemble the colors, texture, and overall look of natural stone, wood, tile, brick, and many other patterns. In most cases the work is so good that the untrained eye cannot tell the difference. However, because Decorative Stamped Concrete maintains the strength and durability of concrete, it last longer, looks better, requires less maintenance, and costs considerably less than the material it imitates. In some cases stamped concrete can be applied over an existing concrete surface.

CONCRETE INSTALLATION PROCESS

If the existing concrete must be removed, it is broken up and hauled away. Next we install temporary plastic forms as specified in the layout. Then, to create a more solid slab we install the rebar. The end use of the slab determines the thickness and rebar spacing. Once the forms and rebar are in place, the concrete arrives and is placed into the forms. If the concrete is traditional broomed concrete, the top is smoothed and a broom is used to give the surface a brushed look, then control joints are cut. The concrete hardens inside the forms. The process for Stamped Concrete is the same until the point of pouring. If you chose a color it is added to the concrete inside the truck and then mixed for about ten minutes or until the color is evenly distributed. After the concrete is poured into the forms, we float and smooth out the concrete. Next, right before we start our stamping process we spray a release agent directly onto the concrete. This allows the stamping mats to stay clean of concrete and allow a detailed imprint. After we are done stamping we then spray a charcoal color as a secondary to give you an even more natural two-tone effect. We then come back the following day to strip our plastic forms and to prep the surface for sealer. After the sealer is applied, you can usually walk on and use your Stamped Concrete just a couple of days later, with the exception of driveways, which take about six to ten days to drive your vehicle onto the surface.