Stamped & Decorative Concrete
Get the elegant look of natural stone, brick, or slate at a fraction of the cost with custom decorative concrete finishes in Sioux Falls, SD.
(605) 305-1070
Your Concrete Does Not Have to Look Like Plain Gray
Most people picture a flat, gray slab when they think of concrete. But today's decorative concrete techniques can produce surfaces that look like cobblestone, flagstone, brick, natural slate, or even wood plank, all at a much lower cost than the real materials they replicate.
We specialize in stamped and decorative concrete for patios, driveways, walkways, pool decks, and interior floors. Our team works with you to choose a pattern, texture, and color that fits your home and your vision. The result is a surface that's just as durable as standard concrete but looks far more custom.
If you're planning a new concrete patio or concrete driveway, adding a decorative finish during the same pour is a smart upgrade that dramatically changes the look and feel of the finished surface.
Decorative Concrete Finish Options
There are several ways to make concrete look beautiful. Here's a breakdown of the most popular options we offer, along with a quick note on where each works best.
- Stamped concrete: We press rubber stamp mats into the wet concrete to create patterns that mimic stone, brick, cobblestone, slate, or wood grain. Works great for patios, driveways, and pool decks.
- Integral color: Color pigment is mixed directly into the concrete before it's poured, creating a consistent tone throughout the entire slab rather than just on the surface.
- Acid staining: A chemical stain is applied after the concrete cures to create rich, mottled earth tones. Each slab ends up with a unique, almost marbled look. Popular for interior floors and covered patios.
- Water-based staining and dyeing: Water-based stains and dyes give you more predictable, consistent color options than acid staining, with a wide range of colors available.
- Exposed aggregate: The top layer of concrete paste is washed away to reveal the natural pebbles and stones within the mix. Creates a textured, slip-resistant surface that looks very natural.
- Salt finish: Rock salt is pressed into the fresh concrete and then washed out after curing, leaving a pitted, textured surface with a subtle, organic look.
What to Expect When You Choose Decorative Concrete
Decorative concrete requires a higher level of skill than plain flatwork. Timing matters, weather matters, and the sequence of steps during the pour needs to be done precisely. Here's what the process looks like from your side.
Design Consultation
We'll meet with you to look at pattern samples and color options. We can show you physical stamp samples and color swatches so you have a realistic idea of what the finished surface will look like. This step is important because once the concrete is poured and stamped, the pattern and color are permanent.
Site Prep and Base Work
The foundation for decorative concrete is identical to standard concrete. We excavate, compact the gravel base, install reinforcement, and set forms. The difference starts at the pour.
Color, Stamp, and Finish
For stamped work, we apply the color hardener to the surface after screeding. The stamps are then pressed into the concrete while it's still workable. Timing is critical — too early and the stamps sink too deep, too late and the concrete is too stiff to accept the impression. We have the experience to read the concrete and hit that window precisely.
Sealing for Protection and Gloss
After curing, decorative concrete gets sealed with a penetrating or film-forming sealer. This protects the color from UV fading, prevents moisture infiltration, and gives the surface a wet-look finish that makes the pattern and color pop. Resealing every 2 to 3 years keeps the surface looking its best for decades.
For a complete look at everything we do in Sioux Falls, visit our concrete contractor home page.
Ready to Design Your Decorative Concrete Surface?
Give us a call and we'll come out to look at your project, show you pattern and color samples, and give you a detailed quote. No pressure, no obligation. Let's talk about what's possible for your space.
(605) 305-1070Common Questions About Stamped and Decorative Concrete
Stamped concrete can be more slippery than a broom-finished surface, especially when wet and sealed. To reduce this, we can add anti-slip additive to the sealer, choose a pattern with more texture, or use a matte finish sealer rather than a high-gloss one. For pool decks and areas with heavy foot traffic, we always discuss slip resistance with you before selecting a finish.
Stamped concrete typically costs 50 to 100 percent more per square foot than a plain broom finish slab, depending on the complexity of the pattern and the number of colors used. However, it is still significantly less expensive than natural stone, brick, or pavers for the same surface area. For most projects in Sioux Falls, stamped concrete runs between $12 and $22 per square foot installed.
Yes, in many cases existing concrete can be resurfaced with a concrete overlay and stamped or stained to add a decorative look. The existing slab needs to be structurally sound with no major cracks or settling issues. If your current concrete is in good shape but looks dated or worn, resurfacing with a decorative overlay can completely change the look without a full replacement. We'll assess your existing slab and give you an honest recommendation.