This article describes why a driveway sealer should be used for stencil or stamped concrete.
Concrete is being reinvented as the preferred material to use in home construction as well as home décor. Concrete is no longer the boring grey and drab material but rather a flexible medium where it can be made to match any design material like stone, brick or even wood. This is especially true on driveways! With the use of stains, it can now be colored in different shades, an alternative to more expensive materials. It is also a material of choice when going green. Concrete is sustainable unlike wood and is actually recyclable. This is unlike carpet and vinyl tiles that pose a problem during its disposal and replacement.
Stamped and stencilled concrete driveways are some of most common techniques converting concrete into a decorative concrete material. Stamped and stencilled concrete is done by adding texture to fresh concrete where it is made to resemble stone, brick wood or any design that the owner prefers. This is done by pressing moulds unto fresh concrete driveways where it is still mouldable. Brick patterns are the most commonly used but any pattern and design is possible. Colors can be added using dry shakes.
Stenciled Concrete and stamped concrete uses the same process, the only difference is stenciled concrete uses disposable stencils like paper instead of rubber stamp mats. Another difference is using stencils creates ready-made grout lines since color is added after the stencil is placed unlike stamped concrete where the concrete is colored before being stamped. Stenciled concrete gives the illusion of grout lines since it keeps the concrete free of color under the stencil. Powder released agents are also used in stamped concrete for easy removal of the mats.
Whether stamping or stencilling your concrete driveway, applying a driveway sealer will help enhance the color and protect the concrete’s surface. Although concrete is a relatively cheap and inexpensive material, applying decorative finishes can be quite expensive. It is best that steps are made to protect it. Sealing driveways will protect them from traffic especially heavy foot traffic and automobiles!
There are basically two types of concrete sealers for external stamped and stenciled concrete, these are film forming sealers or penetrating sealers. Film forming sealers will protect the surface of the concrete driveway while penetrating sealers will soak into the concrete making it waterproof. Water-based are the preferred type of sealers to date since constructors are veering away from solvent type driveway sealer.
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