How to Lay Stamped Concrete for a Driveway

Many poured concrete driveways are slippery when wet, bland and architecturally uninteresting. Patterned or textured concrete, commonly referred to as "stamped" concrete, is an easy way to provide both traction and aesthetic beauty. When the concrete is poured and starts to set, a design is impressed into the fresh concrete to provide texture and visual appeal. You can easily design, color and stamp a driveway to resemble brick, flagstone or quarry tile.

Concrete stains
Concrete additives
Waterproof gloves
Eye protection
Dust mask
Concrete sealers
Concrete color powders or liquid
Tape measure
Concrete stamps
Trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Lay out the driveway design. Depth and grade should be measured with a laser level and staked with steel pins. Excavate the driveway to a depth of 12 inches, allowing for pitch and drainage. The soil or old driveway material should be hauled off for disposal or moved to another of your landscape projects.
- 2
  Set up the concrete forms. Forms can be rented from your local building supply store or equipment rental facility. The staff can help you with advice about how to properly stake the forms to withstand the pressure from the poured concrete without buckling.
- 3
  Contact a local rock and gravel contractor with the dimensions of the driveway. The contractor will determine the best type of rock for your project and how much of the material is required for the job. Plan a 6-inch layer of concrete on top of a 6-inch layer of crushed rock. Have the rock delivered to your site.
- 4
  Spread the rock evenly as the base of the entire driveway. Compact the rock with a vibrating pressure plate attached to a backhoe or garden tractor.
- 5
  Pour the concrete and bull-float (smooth and level) the driveway. Following the label directions, broadcast or toss powdered concrete color hardener on the driveway. One or more colors can be used. Float or spread the color evenly on the concrete surface. At this point, if desired, additional concrete hardeners can be applied, following label instructions. After the color is applied, liberally sprinkle the concrete with release powder. This powder is also called "antiquing powder". The release powder has a dual purpose. It allows the mold to release from the concrete and adds another layer of color. Always wear eye protection and a dust mask when applying or removing color powders.
- 6
  Carefully position the concrete stamp or "mat" on the concrete. Use a rubber mallet to tap evenly on the entire surface of the stamp to create an even impression in the concrete. Carefully lift the mat and move to the next area, aligning it exactly with the last stamped impression. Tap with the mallet, lift and reposition until the entire project is stamped. Maintain consistent, even tapping throughout the project so that all of the design is uniform.
- 7
  Allow the concrete to dry for 24 hours. Use a leaf blower to blow off excess release (antiquing) powder. At this point you may elect to add an additional 2 to 4 layers of color. Excess color can be washed off with water. Allow to dry between coats. When you have achieved the desired color and antique effect, allow the concrete to dry for 48 hours.
- 8
  Apply two coats of concrete sealer according to manufacturer's directions.

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