Imprinted Concrete

jimbling

Hey guys,
Have been thinking of doing some work in the back garden. Putting in a patio or something.
Came across the concept of imprinted concrete. Must say, I've never heard of it. The pics look pretty good on the site below, and there seems to be a major saving over actual block/slab patio.
What do you think? Any of ye done this or seen this done before?
www.imprintedconcrete.ie

ircoha

jimbling wrote: »

Hey guys,
Have been thinking of doing some work in the back garden. Putting in a patio or something.
Came across the concept of imprinted concrete. Must say, I've never heard of it. The pics look pretty good on the site below, and there seems to be a major saving over actual block/slab patio.
What do you think? Any of ye done this or seen this done before?
www.imprintedconcrete.ie

Have never been able to recommend this in an Irish context with our damp climate and propensity for moss and algae and slime. And that is before I consider the contractors with whom it is generally associated: it is the modern version of dodgy tarmacadam.

Re the website:
there is no sign of them here: http://www.cro.ie/search/

they dont comply with regs re company reg details on the website,
the web is designed by some chaps in dot ro

The contact gives no fixed address and the fixed line number is afaik an agency where you dont make direct contact with the 'workers' this setup is well proven for what it is.

To sum up, I dont like the product and I dont like the link

Jnealon

I too am interested in getting this done but I would be weary of getting a company that does not list it's address on their website. That said ask to see examples of their work and make your own mind up.
According to the cro they are based in Palmerstown.

jimbling

ircoha wrote: »

Have never been able to recommend this in an Irish context with our damp climate and propensity for moss and algae and slime. And that is before I consider the contractors with whom it is generally associated: it is the modern version of dodgy tarmacadam.

This seems a bit strange. As far as I knew, concrete was better for damp climates/moss/algae/slime etc. I thought the main reason people don't use concrete was it's looks?
Any sites i've found (in uk too) state that it the imprinted concrete is a much better solution than tarmac / paving for those exact reasons. It is also supposed to be much more maintenance free... far less costly in the long run.
And the imprinted concrete is supposedly far stronger and longer lasting than regular concrete.

I wouldn't be too worried about the site, that was just an example I found. There are plenty others around, as well as places I can physically walk in to as well.

I just had a walk around the neighbourhood and one of the drives looks like it is done in this method. I'll try and grab him someday and ask about it. Only problem is he doesn't really like us :eek:

knighted

i done a course a few years back with colourstone in cork -a real proffessional outfit ,i am not connected to them but here is a link to there increte (stamped concrete ) http://www.colourstone.ie/increte.html
they have contractors all over ireland

there is another big outfit somewhere in wexford and are a proper company and ithink they will hire you the equipment to do it yourself whereas the ones in cork wont ,

stapeler

The crowd in Wexford are http://www.matcrete.ie/ where they provide training and hire the equipment.

jimbling

thanks for the info guys. Ill start looking into it.

does anyone know the cost of this in comparison to other methods?

DerekZoolander

maybe you could go for a patio/basketball court Jimbling??? just an idea!

you read my mind with this thread bud.

jimbling

DerekZoolander wrote: »

maybe you could go for a patio/basketball court Jimbling??? just an idea!

you read my mind with this thread bud.

lol, just saw this now... its a pity you don't have the brains of derek zoolander!

seriously though... I want the b ball court, but have to do it in a way that adds value to the house, otherwise it's pretty pointless.
Thought the concrete might be cheaper so easier to convince the lads to chip in... but not so sure it is now.

Maybe a proper DIY job would be best... u up for it?
Obviously, I'd just be delegating from the sidelines and not getting my hands dirty ;-)

EllaE

I got this done last year myself and I'm delighted with it! In relation to costs we found that it was less than a third of the price of cobblelock. We were able to get it done over our concrete driveway so I think this helped keep prices down.

There's a good few people doing it. We found loads when we starting looking around which was funny considering we hadn't even heard of it till we got a leaflet through the door!

Wishbone Ash

jimbling wrote: »

Came across the concept of imprinted concrete. Must say, I've never heard of it

Imprinted concrete is everywhere these days!!

Those reddish/terracotta coloured speed ramps and speed cushions are done in imprinted concrete.

jimbling

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Imprinted concrete is everywhere these days!!

Those reddish/terracotta coloured speed ramps and speed cushions are done in imprinted concrete.

ya, since I came across it I'm seeing it all over the place. Not the most observant me :rolleyes:

Snowdrop

I've just had it done. It is fine but not quite as good a finish as cobblelock. We weren't happy with the first job and they redone it. We paid €2300 versus €3700-4000 for Cobblelock. The advantage is because it is sealed there will be no problem with weeds etc. We will have to reseal it evey couple of years but can buy the sealer in Woodies and do it our self.

jimbling

Snowdrop wrote: »

I've just had it done. It is fine but not quite as good a finish as cobblelock. We weren't happy with the first job and they redone it. We paid €2300 versus €3700-4000 for Cobblelock. The advantage is because it is sealed there will be no problem with weeds etc. We will have to reseal it evey couple of years but can buy the sealer in Woodies and do it our self.

What size area was that for?

Snowdrop

About 35sqm i think.

mcguiver

Snowdrop, can you name the crew you used/ or alternatively pm same?
I'm looking to have this done, but there seems to be a huge amount of cowboys out there!!

Curio

Interesting. I was thinking of looking into this also but I heard so many stories of the quality of the finish etc. Might give the recommended company a shout and see about a quote...

tombluevest

pic should be installed using a 30n concrete integrally coloured with a good quality pigment.colour hardner should then be applied to the surface.this procedure will give you the very best pic job possible.sealer should be applied as a clear sealer with no colour added.the groundwork is the most important part of the job.expect to pay 65 euros m2 including vat for groundwork and concrete.check out some websites under pattern imprinted concrete.look at previous work done by the company.

burberry

is there anyone round meath or dublin that does this?

tombluevest

i dont think i can mention names of companys here.if you search under pattern imprinted concrete on the internet you will find a few.i do this for a living so any questions just ask.

MBW

Hey, am thinking of getting pattern impressed concrete can anyone that has already got this let me know if you would recommend it please?
Thanks!

MBW

Hi, great to get your feedback unfortunately too late for me - I went with the cobbles stones. This is a photo taken just now from upstairs window - the cement filling started to crumbled after about 4 weeks. Guy that laid them said faulty products never had he seen the lines if it before, company that supplied the stone and concrete style filling said that product wasn't mixed properly! This is what in left with, only got it done in late October 2014. (Not sure if I'll be allowed post a photo)

Safehands

MBW wrote: »

Hi, great to get your feedback unfortunately too late for me - I went with the cobbles stones. This is a photo taken just now from upstairs window - the cement filling started to crumbled after about 4 weeks. Guy that laid them said faulty products never had he seen the lines if it before, company that supplied the stone and concrete style filling said that product wasn't mixed properly! This is what in left with, only got it done in late October 2014. (Not sure if I'll be allowed post a photo)

You went with the cobblestone effect?
Imprinted concrete in Ireland is dodgy for a couple of reasons. 1) the weather here is just not that great, loads of rain. If it is done on a dry day, not too hot, not too windy then it can be very, very good.
2) The people doing it largely don't understand what they are doing. Most of them seal it with a clear sealer mixed with concrete pigment. This results in a painted driveway, and worst of all, a surface painted with a homemade paint that is almost 100% destined to fail. But it looks good enough for the first couple of months, so the contractor can be paid.
One of the reasons why pigmented concrete surfaces look dull, is because contractors throw water on the surface to achieve a good finish. This is fine on ordinary concrete, but it seriously dilutes the pigments in coloured concrete. It should never be done, ever! Try telling these contractors that though, they don't listen.

Sweeney143500

Speaking as a contractor with 25 years experience of doing imprinted concrete I think it is by far the best surface you can have around your house. Our company does tarmacadam and brick paving also so this isn't a biased opinion. Many jobs we done when we started doing imprinted concrete 25 years ago still look as good as the day they were laid, once people look after the surface by sealing it every 2-3 years (depending on traffic) it should hold its colour and shine. With regard to algae and moss discussed earlier this really isn't a problem in comparison with tarmac and brick. Imprinted concrete is very easy to wash off with a small domestic power washer and doesn't make a mess like washing brick. Other benefit is, you don't have joints everywhere that allow weeds to come up through. It should have expansion joints put in to allow the concrete to expand and prevent it from cracking but they won't allow weeds up through them and there's usually very few joints anyway. It's a lifetime job if looked after properly. One tip I would give is to use good sealer whenever you're re-applying it. We have always used Pics High Solids Clear Acrylic sealer, which we source from the UK. AllCrete in Mullingar will probably sell it to someone that walks in off the street though. It's expensive enough at about €135 for a 50l drum but we'll worth the expense to rejuvenate the original finish. The sealers you buy in Woodies and Homebase are no good and the surface will lose its shine in no time with them so stay clear of them. The only negative point people seem to find is that it can be slippy in the winter so to prevent this we mix a non-slip agent through the acrylic sealer and it helps significantly and doesn't stand out either. PM me if you're looking for any more info and I'll respond as quick as I can.

Safehands

Sweeney143500 wrote: »

Speaking as a contractor with 25 years experience of doing imprinted concrete I think it is by far the best surface you can have around your house. Our company does tarmacadam and brick paving also so this isn't a biased opinion. Many jobs we done when we started doing imprinted concrete 25 years ago still look as good as the day they were laid, once people look after the surface by sealing it every 2-3 years (depending on traffic) it should hold its colour and shine. With regard to algae and moss discussed earlier this really isn't a problem in comparison with tarmac and brick. Imprinted concrete is very easy to wash off with a small domestic power washer and doesn't make a mess like washing brick. Other benefit is, you don't have joints everywhere that allow weeds to come up through. It should have expansion joints put in to allow the concrete to expand and prevent it from cracking but they won't allow weeds up through them and there's usually very few joints anyway. It's a lifetime job if looked after properly. One tip I would give is to use good sealer whenever you're re-applying it. We have always used Pics High Solids Clear Acrylic sealer, which we source from the UK. AllCrete in Mullingar will probably sell it to someone that walks in off the street though. It's expensive enough at about €135 for a 50l drum but we'll worth the expense to rejuvenate the original finish. The sealers you buy in Woodies and Homebase are no good and the surface will lose its shine in no time with them so stay clear of them. The only negative point people seem to find is that it can be slippy in the winter so to prevent this we mix a non-slip agent through the acrylic sealer and it helps significantly and doesn't stand out either. PM me if you're looking for any more info and I'll respond as quick as I can.

If it is done properly it can be great. The trouble is, that in Ireland it is rarely done well. The weather is not great for applying coloured concrete. We have a very small window of good weather.

0lddog

Do tool hire companies ( Sam Hire & the like ) keep the necessary to imprint concrete ?

gabbo is coming

mcguiver wrote: »

Snowdrop, can you name the crew you used/ or alternatively pm same?
I'm looking to have this done, but there seems to be a huge amount of cowboys out there!!

Having trouble with cobblelock and weeds

Can you put this stuff on top of cobblelock ?