Printed concrete, often called textured concrete or relief, reproduces stones, such as slate, tiles, brick and even wood. The wide variety of patterns and colors make it popular to embellish patios, pool terraces, alleys and more. In addition, it is a paving option which at first glance requires less maintenance than other surfaces, but it may be only a little illusory.The advantages and disadvantages of printed concrete
When it is time to choose a finished surface for your patio, your entrance or your sidewalk, it is likely that you want a product that is aesthetic, durable and profitable. Printed concrete is an increasingly popular choice due to the fact that it can be made to imitate higher -end materials such as cobblestones, bricks and stones for a more affordable cost. Before making your final decision, however, take into account the advantages and disadvantages of this type of concrete.
A wide choice and an aesthetic that can give the illusion of quality
There is certainly not a lack of choice when it comes to choosing a concrete surface printed for your house. Concrete is available in several colors, patterns and textures. Mimicking almost all surfaces, from marble to stone via aged wood, printed concrete offers an aesthetically pleasant surface that adds cachet to your accommodation.
A rather affordable installation but a random quality
One of the advantages of stamped concrete is its ease of installation. The installation of such a surface requires much less labor than that of a conventional paving. It is above all a question of mixing, pouring and precision of installation. But this a priori easy approach on paper is also the front door to many amateurism errors.
Concrete is a mixture of water and cement powder. If the mixture contains too much water, there is a risk of rough edges and poor finish. Prémature swelling and cracking are a problem with printed concrete if the mixture is too dry.
A questionable sustainability
Although printed concrete can be easy to clean and requires no maintenance to keep its structured appearance, one of its main drawbacks is that there is a lack of sustainability compared to other finished surfaces.
It is important to pay attention to where you install the printed concrete, because it split and scratches easily under a heavy load. This concrete is not a good choice for a garage entrance or any other place on which the cars are driven or parked. On a pedestrian path, a driveway or a patio, it is less likely to crack under pressure; However, it is always likely to break for time and bad weather.
Cracks: the fatal fate of printed concrete
Regarding concrete and cracking, it is not a question of knowing if the surface will yield, but when it will yield under the effect of climate change and sagging. In a mild and Mediterranean climate, you do not have to worry about the cracking of stamped concrete due to dilation and contraction which is accompanied by high temperature variations, but the surface is very likely to crack over the years.
It is difficult to match the color and consistency of the surface when repairing a normal concrete slab, and the printed concrete makes the correspondence of the color and the consistency of the surface. Although it is less expensive than other surface choices, this concrete can end up costing you more long -term if you are disturbed by unsightly cracks.
Other choices of ground surfaces, such as self -locking cobblestones or waxed concrete, are more expensive than concrete printed at the start, but cost less in the long term thanks to their simpler maintenance and their solidity.
The different possible applications of decorative printed concrete
Printed concrete is commonly used for patios, sidewalks, alleys, pool terraces and interior floors. The capacity of the concrete printed to resemble other building materials makes stamped concrete a less expensive alternative than the use of other authentic materials such as stone, slate or brick in the short term. But in the end, other materials are more interesting over time such as waxed concrete.
Standed concrete can also be used as follows:
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- To obtain a unified aspect for kitchens, bathrooms, entrances, family rooms or basements in new houses.
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- Rejuvenate an existing old concrete.
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- It can also be used for counters and worktops.
What are the different forms of printed concrete?
From an aesthetic point of view, printed concrete is difficult to beat when it comes to patterns and colors, which are practically unlimited. Many people are inspired by the surrounding landscape or the architectural style of their house and choose patterns and colors that mix with stone, tiling or existing textured concrete elements. For example, if your house has a brick exterior, consider echoing this theme using a simple brick border, or choose a pattern and a colored arrangement that harmonize with your surrounding landscape.
The patterns available:The patterns of natural stone such as slate, slab and stone of the fields are the most common, followed by brick, pavement and wood. The patterns can be pressed in concrete even in complex projects with steps and fountains.
Existing colors:The most popular colors are gray and earth tones; However, brick patterns are often colored in red or orange. The colors can be mixed, stratified or aged with dyes or pigments, thus creating a practically infinite list of possibilities. Several colors can be used within the same project for a realistic coloring of the stone, decorative borders or a contrasting color pattern.
Price of concrete printed per m2: how much does it cost?
Printed concrete can be expensive depending on the cost of materials and labor on the local market and the complexity of work, but the old adage that «you have for your money» has never been more true. With printed concrete, you will get a surface that lasts less long and requires more maintenance than most other competing materials, which can result in significant sums to pay during its lifespan. The basic patterns printed in one color and a single pattern cost € 60 to € 120 Le m2high -end projects can rise up to € 200 per m2, 3 to 4 times more than waxed concrete.
Our opinion on printed concrete
For lasting decorations over time, we do not recommend the use of printed concrete. It can crack and disintegrate in bad weather, which can have repercussions, especially outdoors where some customers have had concrete particles in the filter of their pool. In addition, it is one of the most expensive coatings on the market.
Rather, we advise to carry out your work with ecological waxed concrete that we offer in kit. In addition to landing easily, it is much more stable than many printed concrete. To find out more do not hesitate to discover our file on the installation of waxed concrete.
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