Stamped Concrete in Pembroke Pines, FL

Stamped Concrete turns a plain Pembroke Pines entry, patio or walk into something that reads as slate, tile or brick, without loose pieces. Patterned mats are pressed into the slab while it is still soft, and color goes into the mix, onto the surface, or both. On streets where the driveways all came from the same builder in the same gray, a stamped walk or border is one of the quickest ways to set a house apart. It is also less forgiving to install than a broom finish.

Where stamped concrete fits

• Front entries and walkways from the driveway to the door
• Back patios and seating areas
• Borders and bands along a broom-finished driveway
• Steps and landings
• Areas next to a pool, with a texture suited to bare feet

Whole stamped driveways are possible, but borders often give a similar look for much less money.

Patterns and colors

Ashlar slate, cobblestone, running bond brick, flagstone and wood plank are the patterns most people choose from. HomeGuide prices stamped work in three tiers: $8 to $13 per square foot for a single pattern in a single color, $13 to $19 when you add colors or a border, and $19 to $26 or more for multiple patterns, stone or wood textures and hand-carved detail. Every extra color or pattern adds labor, so the price climbs with it.

Color and Florida sun

Our sun is strong year round, and the city sees highs in the upper 80s and low 90s for much of the year. Dark colors fade faster and get hot underfoot. Lighter tans, grays and sand tones hold up better and stay cooler. HomeGuide recommends resealing stamped concrete every 2 to 3 years to slow fading, and in this climate we hold to that schedule.

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Timing is everything

There is a short stretch after the pour when the surface will take the mats cleanly. Too early and the pattern slumps; too late and it will not print. South Florida heat shortens that stretch, and a downpour in the middle of it can wreck the surface. So stamped pours start in the morning, enough people are on site to finish the whole area while it is workable, and covers stay close by. If a storm looks likely, we would rather move the pour to another day.

Slip resistance

The sealer that makes stamped concrete look rich can also make it slick when wet. HomeGuide warns that a smooth surface can become dangerously slippery. We pick patterns with real texture for walkways and anything near water, and we can add a fine grit to the sealer for better footing.

Stamped concrete or pavers?

On HomeGuide's numbers the two are close: about $8 to $19 per square foot for stamped and $10 to $17 for pavers. Pavers can be lifted and reset one at a time, but they can drift and sprout weeds between the joints. A stamped slab has no gaps for weeds and looks cleaner, though a repair is harder to hide. We go over both before you decide.