Stamped concrete is a material that is created by imprinting patterns into
the surface of the concrete as it sets.
At the beginning of the process the concrete is dyed and poured. While the
surface still has a pliable consistency a colored powder called a release agent
is spread over the surface of the freshly placed concrete before imprinting
with stamping tools. The release agent forms a bond-breaking barrier that helps
prevent the tools from sticking to the concrete and marring the fragile surface.
During the process, a portion of the colored antiquing release agent becomes
embedded in the surface where it is trapped by the hardening concrete. When
the surface is washed and sealed, an attractive, mottled and antiqued appearance
is obtained with colors ranging from the underlying concrete to that of the
release agent.
To protect the appearance from wearing or weathering away over time, the imprinted
concrete must be sealed and maintained with clear sealer. It produces an attractive,
low-maintenance, semi-gloss film that is resistance to abrasion, many chemicals
and surface staining.
