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Decorative concrete finishes transform basic driveways, patios, sidewalks, or commercial floors into striking design features that can add to the overall design and feel of a property. But how can a layperson decide which decorative finish type is the best for their next residential (or commercial) project? Below, we’ve asked some of the best concrete contractors in Calgary to compare and contrast the various decorative concrete finishes based on affordability, safety, maintenance requirements, and practicality.
Stamped Concrete: Customizable Beauty
Appearance:
Stamped concrete mimics the look of stone, brick, or tile with patterns and colours, and is often requested for patios, driveways, and walkways.
Affordability:
We’ve classified stamped concrete as mid-range in price. It is slightly more expensive than regular concrete due to labour and stamping costs.
Durability:
Stamped concrete that is properly installed and sealed by expert concrete contractors and appropriately maintained by property owners will very likely last many decades.
Safety:
Stamped concrete is relatively smooth, but anti-slip additives – whether added into the sealer or on their own – provide more traction. Additionally, choosing a smaller, more intricate pattern will provide more traction than a larger design.
Maintenance Level:
Sealer or rejuvenator* every 1-3 years is required if you want to preserve the colour and reduce the risk of cracking. Sealing is especially critical in regions subject to freezing temperatures, since de-icing salts can contribute to excess chipping and cracking. *While you can’t completely replace a sealer with a rejuvenator/re-emulsifier, you can save significantly on costs by alternating sealer with a rejuvenator/re-emulsifier.
Viability of Repairs:
If your stamped concrete cracks and you want to attempt to repair it yourself, understand that it will not be as easy of a repair compared to something like exposed aggregate because it’s difficult to exactly match the patched product in terms of both colour and stamped pattern. That said, if you take very good care of your stamped concrete and feel confident you won’t crack it (by taking the time to diligently seal it every 1-3 years, not dropping anything heavy on it, etc.), then it can still be a smart move.
Practicality in Winter:
Clients often gloat about how happy they are with how easily snow glides off their concrete when shoveling in the winter. Additionally, if you feel that more traction will be needed, discuss with your contractor what anti-slip measures they can take, such as anti-slip additives in their sealer, or if you should opt for a smaller, more intricate pattern.
Consensus:
Stamped concrete is a decorative finish that often beautifully marries durability with customization. Its durability depends on (a) whether the client is able to commit to a maintenance schedule, and (b) the experience and integrity of the contractor. If you do choose to install stamped concrete in Calgary, remember to choose an experienced concrete contractor.
Polished Concrete: Sleek, Low-Maintenance, Best Indoors
Appearance:
Polished concrete is a high-gloss, smooth finished surface, often used indoors in commercial spaces or residential basements.
Affordability:
As with all decorative finishes, polished concrete has a slightly higher cost due to the polishing process, but its low maintenance schedule can offset any initial price differences over the long-run.
Safety:
It’s often not recommended for exterior or high moisture areas due to its low traction.
Maintenance:
Very low; occasional dust, mopping, and cleaning are sufficient.
Practicality:
Not ideal outdoors; shoveling snow can pose challenges.
Consensus:
Polished concrete is best for indoor residential or commercial spaces where aesthetics and easy cleaning are priorities.
Exposed Aggregate: Natural Aesthetic, Slip-Resistant, and Durable
Appearance: Natural Beauty
Exposed aggregate reveals natural stones in the concrete, creating a textured, slip-resistant surface. Because of its natural beauty and safety, it is a popular choice for exterior sidewalks, patios, driveways, or any commercial high-traffic outdoor area.
Affordability: Best
Exposed aggregate is generally the cheapest of the decorative finishes due to lower time (labour) requirements to expose the stones, compared to polished concrete or stamped concrete.
Safety: Excellent
Excellent. Exposed aggregate is arguably the safest decorative concrete finish due to its highly textured surface. Even when wet, slip potential is reduced. Pittman’s experienced concrete contractors in Calgary feel it’s the best decorative concrete finish for exterior surfaces – even for most Canadians – both for this reason, and the next:
Maintenance: Low
Periodic sealing – on average, every 1-3 years – is the schedule we recommend to protect the colour and surface of exposed aggregate. As with stamped concrete and polished concrete, property owners may alternate sealing with using a rejuvenator/re-emulsifier if they want to save on maintenance costs.
Practicality and Upkeep: Excellent.
The maintenance of exposed aggregate is excellent due to lower resealing requirements, durability against freeze-thaw conditions, and lower need for repairs if it happens to crack.
Consensus:
Exposed aggregate is the best decorative concrete finish for people who prefer a natural aesthetic but still want some customization, or for people living in regions that receive snow, and/or high traffic areas where safety, durability, and low maintenance are of utmost importance.
Decorative Concrete Finishes: Comparison Summary
How do you know which decorative concrete finish is best for you? Consider these questions:
- Is the concrete indoors or outdoors?
- How important is low maintenance to you?
- Based on personal or environmental factors, will your concrete likely experience cracking or damage over the long-run? (Damage/cracking is more likely to occur if property owners cannot reliably commit to the required maintenance schedule, if very heavy/sharp tools or equipment are repeatedly dropped on it, etc.)
- Do you prefer the concrete to be incredibly safe on its own – without additional measures?
Often, clients prefer a combined solution: polished concrete indoors, stamped concrete outdoors on patios, and exposed for driveways or high-traffic commercial areas.
Still Unsure? Partner with Calgary Concrete Experts
At Pittman Concrete, our Calgary contractors specialize in decorative concrete solutions for homes and businesses. We have 28 years’ experience executing residential and commercial/industrial projects from start-to-finish. All quotes are free, and design consultations with our award-winning designer are free for all projects valued over $30,000 CAD.
Request your free quote today.