Pattern Imprinted Concrete Driveways and Patios

If you don't like the look of block paving, Paving slabs or a tarmac driveway then why not consider concrete. Pattern imprinted concrete is a very popular choice for driveways, paths, patios, swimming pool and hot tub surrounds and is an ever increasing choice for indoor flooring such as kitchen and dining rooms. With the use of under floor heating the printed concrete floor can be a comfortable surface to walk on. Imprinted concrete can create stunning replicas of other materials such as block paving, stone, old style cobbles, slate, decking and comes in many varied colours. Its almost an endless list of materials that can be reproduced with coloured decorative concrete. The idea of transforming plain concrete into the coloured, decorative concrete we see today was first thought up in the USA nearly 50 years ago.

Most popular type of concrete driveway

But by far, the most popular way in which pattern imprinted concrete is used today is with patios and concrete driveways. With its very stong structure of the concrete (in most cases, the concrete not only contains cement but also either steel reinforcement or fibres) and is almost maintainance free finish to the surface of the concreted area. Now the old, plain, grey dull slab of concrete is becoming a thing of the past with its uses mainly limited to flooring in commercial installations. Pattern Imprinted concrete is much more affordable today as more concrete contractors are offering to install printed concrete, so the choice of driveway installers that can give you a free estimated for your drive or patio is increasing. Also there are more suppliers that sell the colour pigments and sealers for concrete, So as more suppliers to the concrete trade compete for business the cost of imprinted concrete supplies has fallen, so large driveways and patios laid with printed concrete are roughly the same price as that of block paving and natural Slab paving .

The beauty of pattern imprinted concrete is in that it is almost virtually maintenance free. Moss, weeds and algae cannot easily grow on the printed concrete surface as there is no wet sand as with block paving or constantly damp areas like tarmacadam. All that is usually needed is a wash down with water as the application of a quality imprinted concrete sealer to the surface of the patern imprinted concrete makes the concrete surface non absorbant, unlike plain concrete which in most cases absorbs dirt and oils. If you are looking for a free price to have pattern imprinted concrete installed or trying to find out more information on the installation of imprinted concrete then please look at our free guides on having a concrete driveway or patio laid.