Textured Concrete Finishes to Consider for Your Driveway
Adding texture to concrete driveways can give them extra grip and make them safer to walk and drive on. A texture can be created in several ways. For example, stamped and stencilled concrete are two possibilities. Exposed aggregate is another. Here is an overview of these alternatives.
Stamped Concrete
The grooves and indentations of stamped concrete are created using moulds. These stamps come in various designs to mimic substances such as stone pavers or timber planks. After the cement is poured over the driveway, contractors apply a releasing agent and press the stamps into the surface. The releasing agent ensures that they can easily lift the stamp without it sticking and apply it to another area, eventually covering the entire driveway. Different stamps can be combined. For example, moulds that resemble slate could be applied to the middle section of the drive. A contrasting border could be created with a stamp that mimics brickwork. Dry shake colours can give shades of grey, blue, and terracotta.
Stencilled Concrete
Another way to create paver designs and textures on your driveway is with stencilled concrete. This process is similar to that used for stamped paving. After the concrete is laid and a releasing agent is applied, a large roll of stencil material is unravelled, with a contractor at either end and pressed onto the cement. The stencil roll is then cut. The process continues over the next concrete section. The stencils need to line up like wallpaper for consistent lines.
While stamps are reusable, stencils can only be used once and then thrown out. Stencils can be made from different types of water-resistant paper-like materials. This process doesn't typically create as deep indents as stamping does. After the stencils are in position, the contractors will apply the colour. The stencil will create faux grout joins and other patterns.
Exposed Aggregate
While stamped and stencilled concrete are similar in using specially designed objects to create indents, exposed aggregate undergoes a different process. You need to choose which aggregates to add, such as colourful limestone and granite crushed stone, to the cement mixture, which is then poured. The contractors wash away the top cement layer to reveal the aggregates. The texture is created by the stones and pebbles protruding from the paving. The quality of the texture will depend on the aggregate shape and size and how much they're exposed. And you create the colours with your combination of pebbles and stones.