Although the quality of your patio depends on your contractor, you are probably looking at between $8 and 12 per square foot for top-quality stamped concrete and as high as $20 per square foot.
Read below to learn more about what factors into this amount and how you can save on it. Stamped concrete is a more expensive material than traditional crushed stone.
The price goes up the higher the quality of the stamped concrete.
What is Stamped Concrete?
Stamped concrete, often called textured or imprinted concrete, replicates stones, such as slate and flagstone, tile, brick, and even wood. It can be mixed in a bag or delivered pre-mixed and ready to use.
It is installed in a similar manner to traditional concrete, but unlike traditional concrete, it can withstand higher temperatures and has a lower moisture content.
Most stamped concrete is poured in a coil form, but you can also get rectangular or circular shapes. It is typically mixed with cement, sand, aggregate, and water. Stamped concrete contractors may also apply sealers or stains.
Stamped Concrete Costs
Stamped concrete costs more than traditional concrete, but this is true for any stamped concrete installation. Most stamped concrete is not “recycled” concrete.
Concrete prices are made up of two main components: cost of the materials, and labor costs. If you choose to hire a professional or do it yourself, there are many expenses that go into the finished project.
Basic Cost
$8-12 per square foot
A cheaper option featuring:
- One stamp pattern
- One color
MID-RANGE COST
$12-18 per square foot
A mid-range choice with:
- Borders
- Contrasting patterns One color
HIGH-RANGE COST
$15-28 per square foot
A high-range choice with:
- Three stamp patterns
- Two colors
HIGH-END COST
$18+ per square foot
The most expensive, but most realistic, selection with:
- Multiple stamp patterns and colors
- Specialty scored designs
- Detailed hand-coloring
Stamped concrete costs can vary widely depending upon the stamped concrete design and the stamped concrete contractor.
There are many factors that play a role in stamped concrete cost, including stamped concrete designs and stamped concrete additions or modifications.
As with any home improvement project, stamped concrete costs will vary depending on the size of your project and local construction market conditions.
Stamped Concrete Patios
The basic stamped concrete for patios starts at about $7 per stamped concrete patio sq. ft. This stamped concrete price only includes the stamped color and the stamped border that outlines stamped concrete patio paver squares, but nothing else.
Stamped Concrete Walkways
The basic stamped concrete for walkways starts at about $9 per stamped concrete walkway sq. ft, with extra costs added for features like stamped concrete borders, stamped color, and stamped design stamped into the stamped concrete walkway surface.
As you can see, stamped concrete costs can vary based on stamped concrete design nuances.
The cost of stamped concrete for patio surfaces is somewhere between $7 to $10 per sq ft – if this were stamped with borders it would be about $8 to $12 per stamped concrete patio sq. ft.
Stamped Concrete Prices for Driveways and Sidewalks
Driveway stamped concrete prices start at about $10 to $15 stamped concrete driveway surface sq. ft., and stamped concrete sidewalk prices start at about $8 stamped concrete sidewalk surface sq.ft, with stamped color and stamped borders again included in stamped concrete costs.
A stamped concrete driveway can run $25 stamped concrete driveway surface sq. ft., and stamped concrete sidewalk prices start at about $9 stamped concrete sidewalk surface sq.ft, with stamped color and stamped borders again included in stamped concrete costs.
A stamped concrete patio with stamped color block designs obviously will cost more than a stamped concrete patio that only uses stamped borders around stamped concrete patio paver squares.
Stamped Concrete Costs for Pond and Waterfall Designs
A stamped concrete pond or waterfall design stamped into stamped concrete surfaces starts at about $15 to $20 per stamped concrete surface sq. ft (depending on the design), with extra costs added for features like stamped concrete borders, stamped color, and stamped design stamped into the stamped concrete pond or waterfall stamped concrete design.
How Much Does It Cost to Lay a Stamped Concrete Patio?
The average patio size is approximately 12’ x 14’, or 168 square feet. If we assume concrete is about an average 1” thickness, the cost to lay a stamped concrete patio should be approximate:
Laying a stamped concrete patio (about 168 square feet, or one and a half yards) should cost about $8/square foot.
Basic: $1,344
Mid-Range: $2,016
High-End: $3,024
Generally, stamped concrete costs $11.00-$20.00 per square foot. There are factors that determine the cost. The thickness of the concrete slab, whether there is any kind of pattern on the top, and the surrounding conditions affect the price.
With some care, this project can cost about $8.00-$10.00 per square foot. About 20% of the costs go to concrete, and another 20% go to required equipment such as a vibrator, mixing hopper, air pump, and nozzle.
The high-end product will be less than $8.00 per square foot.
Surface prep work (cleaning, tamping, and raking) is estimated at 10% of the total project cost. Surface preparation is most important for soundness, clarity of appearance, durability, and proper bonding.
Not all projects require this, but it is important that the sub-base has minimal dirt or dust, that there are no cracks and no uneven patches.
This is because any dirt or dust will settle into the concrete, which can cause voids. If the sub-base is not perfect, it can lead to voids in the surface of the concrete, which is bad for the longevity of the concrete.
If there are holes in the sub-base, it will prevent water from sitting on the surface of the slab for a long time, and the concrete may not bond correctly to the sub-base.
Stamped Concrete vs Pavers: Which Is More Cost Effective?
When it comes to stamped concrete vs pavers, there is a clear winner. Stamped concrete is more cost-effective than pavers in most situations.
Paver brick is a very expensive type of concrete. It is a mixture of sand, cement, and crushed rock that has been compacted into paver bricks.
Because it is a mixture of different types of materials, the long-term cost of replacing or repairing broken bricks is very high.
Stamped concrete patios are a great option for those looking for a budget-friendly option. Stamped concrete is cheaper than stone or other paving materials because it doesn’t require any “expensive cutting equipment” to lay it down.
A stamped concrete patio can be laid down by one person in an afternoon. The cost of a stamped concrete patio will depend on the size, location, and intricacy of the design, but most projects can be completed for less than $4,000.
For homeowners who live in areas with winter weather, using a stamped concrete patio also helps save money.
Stamped concrete is very low maintenance. It will not crack, chip, fade, or stain in the long-term. The only cost associated with it is the initial price for the stamped concrete mix.
What Are the Benefits of Stamped Concrete?
Stamped concrete has many advantages. Here are some of the benefits of stamped concrete.
- Stamped concrete is low-maintenance
- Stamped concrete is comfortable
- Stamped concrete is durable
- Stamped concrete is versatile
- Stamped concrete is waterproof
- Stamped concrete is fire-resistant
- Stamped concrete is low-cost
- Stamped concrete is eco-friendly
- Stamped concrete is modern
Why is Stamped Concrete So Popular?
You may think that stamped concrete is just for driveways and sidewalks, but there are actually a wide variety of modern designs that can be done for patios and other parts of your yard.
There are so many different textures and colors to choose from, and you can create any pattern you want. You could even try and match the design to your house or other structures in your yard.
The design possibilities are nearly endless.
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance outdoor patio, stamped concrete is a great option. This design is as low-maintenance as they come. It doesn’t require much maintenance at all.
You just need to clean it off and mow the grass around it. It is very durable and will hold up for years to come. You don’t have to worry about it getting ruined by the weather.
It will stand up against all of the elements, so you can relax and enjoy your patio without worrying about it.
What About DIY Stamped Concrete?
As you can see, it’s very easy to do. You can use your imagination and come up with some great designs for your patio.
It’s a very durable material, so you can use it for other parts of your house, too.
Wherever you live, you’ll find that stamped concrete patios come in many different shapes and sizes. One of the easiest things to do is get an estimate, but it’s also important to know what you’re looking for.
The main expenses when dealing with stamped concrete are the concrete itself, the color, the stamping mats, and finally, the labor.
If you want a stamped concrete patio in your backyard, you should expect to pay about $2,500 to $3,000 for the concrete itself, $500 for stamping mats, and $250 to $350 for labor.
You should be able to get a good price if you go with a local contractor in your area. If you live in a rural area, you might find that the materials will be more expensive.
It’s not unusual to find an alternative stamping mat in a different color for a few hundred dollars, and some people opt to get creative and use colored bricks for added interest.
Conclusion
Depends on the size, location, and intricacy of the design, but most projects can be completed for less than $4,000 or between $8 and 12 per square foot for top-quality stamped concrete.
If you want a stamped concrete patio in your backyard, you should expect to pay about $2,500 to $3,000 for the concrete itself, $500 for stamping mats, and $250 to $350 for labor.
Leave a Reply