We’re sure you’ve seen stamped concrete at some point in your life, maybe it’s even the material on your driveway. If you’re getting pretty tired of its look, it might be time to update your stamped concrete into a stamped concrete overlay. And we have the perfect ideas to make it modern and stylish for 2019. But first: what it is, how it’s different, its benefits, and its cost – all broken down in this handy guide to stamped concrete overlay in 2019.
How is stamped concrete overlay different from stamped concrete?
We don’t blame you for getting the two confused; stamped concrete and stamped concrete overlay are pretty similar to one another. Both are a kind of decorative concrete, both are customizable and deliver stunning results, but there’s a big key difference between the two. While stamped concrete can only be done on brand new concrete, stamped concrete overlay takes advantage of existing concrete. It simply places an overlay that is then stamped with a design of your choice. The overlay is a combination of cement, silica sand, and some hardeners and adhesives.
Another big difference between the two is stamped concrete overlay cost, but we’ll get to that later.
Why is it better than other flooring materials?
In a hypothetical competition against other flooring materials, concrete does pretty well for itself. It’s famously low-maintenance as it isn’t likely to grow weeds or moss-like brick or pavers and it can hold up against most weather changes. And because of advances in techniques, it’s become easier to repair concrete. It’s also extremely durable. It doesn’t show much wear and tear even when in high-traffic areas and the material itself can last for decades.
There’s also a customization aspect to stamped concrete overlay that other materials simply can’t compete with. The versatility of the material means you can choose any design, color, or pattern – or even replicate other flooring materials like stone, brick, and wood. The customizability makes it a popular choice, and for good reason.
Stamped overlay concrete also updates the look of the entire house and can increase the resale value. And when it comes to practical matters, the concrete overlay has a speedy installation period that can cut down on costs.
But what does it all cost?
Getting a stamped concrete overlay floor almost always costs less than stamped concrete (which can go for as low as $8 per square foot). It will depend on the complexity of the chosen design and where the overlay floor will go. Other factors may affect the overall cost of the flooring, like the area size, whether any repairs need to be done on the existing concrete, whether you will want to stain the overlay, and what kind of sealer you will want to apply on top. Overall, it is a cost-effective choice for home improvement projects that can deliver a great variety of designs.
And now, on to the fun stuff…
Stylish design options for a stamped overlay floor
If you’re in need of some stamped concrete overlay inspiration for your next home improvement project, here are five design ideas that are fun, stylish, and perfect for this year:
- A patterned border for a cost-effective floor design
If your biggest concern for getting stamped concrete overlay floors is the cost, a patterned border is a perfect way to get the most out of your concrete floors without breaking the bank.
Make it fit for 2019 by choosing an interesting, funky pattern to border your floor, or perhaps even use your own design. Keep the middle section plain and in a solid color; the contrast between minimal and maximal will create an eye-catching design that can elevate your space.
- A geometric design that elongates the space
If you want something modern but still visually interesting, geometric designs that are heavy on straight lines and shapes are the design choice for you. Long straight lines can trick the eye into thinking it is a larger space than it actually is.
For a modern take on geometric designs, avoid the use of multiple colors and instead opt for a “shades of grey-and-white” look to complement the design.
- Mimic other flooring materials for more practical floors
If you dream of wooden floors or a flagstone driveway, there is no reason you can’t still achieve that dream with concrete. An experienced contractor will be able to mimic almost any other flooring material that will look almost exactly the same as the real thing. The only thing that won’t be the same is that you won’t have to worry about complicated maintenance schedules and vulnerability to staining, nor will you have to worry about going over your budget.
Light-colored wood and wood lightly stained grey are both popular floor choices this year; jump on the trend with stamped concrete overlay floors that can achieve the same look for less.
- Small design patterns that bring a subtle fun look
If you’re not a huge fan of floors with big patterns but are looking for something unique to improve your floors, you can choose to get small stamp patterns that won’t overwhelm the senses. The level of detail that goes into small-scale patterns can be absolutely gorgeous and will give your space subtle visual interest.
For a modern take on small-scale patterns, small stamp outlines of insects and birds can give your floors a modern tropical feel, while an abstract design that looks hand-drawn will look personal and unique.
- Large design to dominate the middle of the room
On the flip side, subtle might not be your thing or what your room needs. A sunburst, emblem, or personal design is a popular choice for placing in the middle of the room. This is especially good for spaces that are sparsely furnished.
Mandala design is an especially cool way to incorporate design and color into your floors using one large element. Or if you’re an avid traveler, a large compass in the middle of a room can say a lot about your personality.
