ServicesStamped Concrete
Stamped Concrete in Laguna Hills
We pour stamped concrete that looks like slate, stone, brick or wood plank, without the loose pavers or high upkeep. You pick the pattern and color. We build the base, time the stamping right and seal it so it still looks good years from now.
Patterned concrete, poured like it's our own yard
Stamped concrete is regular concrete with texture pressed into it while it's still soft. Done well, it passes for natural stone at a glance. Done badly, it shows blurry patterns, blotchy color and cracks that cut right through the design.
It's a good fit when you want the look of pavers or flagstone on a patio, walkway, pool deck or driveway but would rather have one solid surface. No weeds between joints, no pavers heaving out of place.
We treat each job like we're working next door to our own house. That means we tell you plainly what a pattern will look like on your slab, we keep your yard clean while we work, and we don't sell you extras you don't need.
What goes into a stamped concrete job
- 01
Demo and haul-off
If old concrete, pavers or turf are in the way, we break them out and haul them away. You're not left with a pile of rubble on the side of the house.
- 02
Base and reinforcement
We grade and compact the base, then set rebar or wire to suit the slab. A pretty surface on a weak base cracks, so this step gets real attention.
- 03
Color in two layers
We can mix color into the whole pour, broadcast a color hardener on top, or both. Then a release agent goes down before stamping, which leaves darker tones in the low spots for an aged, natural look.
- 04
Stamping at the right moment
Stamp mats go on when the concrete is firm enough to hold detail but soft enough to take it. We bring enough crew to stamp the whole slab inside that window, so the pattern stays crisp from end to end.
- 05
Joints that follow the pattern
Concrete will crack somewhere, so we cut control joints to give it a place to go. We line those cuts up with grout lines in the pattern so they hide.
- 06
Sealer
After the release agent is washed off, we apply sealer to bring out the color and protect the surface. Near a pool or on a slope, we can add grit to the sealer for better footing.
Questions about Stamped Concrete?
Call(949) 386-2816Signs stamped concrete is the right call
Your plain slab looks tired
Gray broom-finish concrete does its job but adds nothing to the yard. If the old slab is worn or cracked, replacing it with stamped concrete gives you something you'll actually want to sit on.
Pavers keep shifting
Loose pavers trip people and grow weeds in the gaps. One continuous stamped slab gives you a similar look with no joints to pull out.
You want stone without the price of stone
Real slate and flagstone cost more to buy and lay. Stamped concrete gets close to that look on a concrete budget.
You're redoing the backyard anyway
If you're already planning a new patio, pool deck or walkway, that's the cheapest time to add pattern and color. Doing it later means pouring again.
How the job runs
- 1
A walk-through at your home
We come out, measure, look at drainage and talk about how you use the space. We bring pattern and color samples so you can see them in your own light. Then you get a written estimate that lists each part of the job.
- 2
Prep day
We protect walls, plants and anything we're working near. Then we demo, grade, compact and set forms and steel. If a permit is needed, we handle that before we pour.
- 3
Pour and stamp day
This is the long day. The truck arrives, we place and level the concrete, add color, and stamp once it's ready. Expect noise and a busy crew for most of the day.
- 4
Wash, seal and clean up
A few days later we wash off the release agent and seal the surface. We pick up forms and debris and leave the area swept. You can walk on it in about a day and drive on a stamped driveway in about a week.
What moves the price
Every stamped job is priced on its own. The size of the area matters, but it isn't the only thing. Here's what we look at when we write your estimate, so you know where the money goes.
- Pattern and detail
- A simple stone pattern goes down faster than a detailed border or a mix of patterns. Hand-tooled edges and extra colors add labor.
- Color method
- Integral color through the whole slab costs more in material than a surface hardener alone. Some jobs use both for the richest look.
- Site access and demo
- If we can back a truck up close, the pour is simpler. A backyard reached only through a narrow side yard may need a pump or wheelbarrows, and old concrete to remove adds time and haul-off.
- Soil and slope
- Clay soil, common across the area, can move as it wets and dries. Slopes, extra base material or more steel to handle that show up in the price.
Stamped concrete questions we hear a lot
Will stamped concrete crack?
Most concrete develops some hairline cracks over time. Our job is to make that less likely and less visible. A compacted base, proper steel and control joints hidden in the pattern lines do most of that work.
Is it slippery around a pool?
Sealer can make the surface slicker when wet. For pool decks and steps we add a non-slip grit to the sealer and often suggest a pattern with more texture. We'll show you samples so you can feel the difference.
How often does it need resealing?
Plan on resealing every two to three years, sooner on areas that get full sun all day. Fresh sealer keeps the color from fading and makes cleanup easier. It's a weekend job many homeowners do themselves.
Can you stamp over my existing slab?
Not with a full stamped pour. New stamped concrete needs its own depth and a sound base. In most cases we remove the old slab and pour new, and we'll tell you honestly if your situation is different.
Can the driveway and the patio match?
Yes. We can run the same pattern and color across your driveway, walkways and patio, or use a border to tie different areas together. Many people pick one main pattern and a plain or accent band at the edges.
Let's look at your space together
Tell us what you have in mind and where it's going. We'll come out, bring samples and give you a straight written estimate.