How much does stamped concrete cost? Price per m2 in 2024
Theimprinted concreteit has gained popularity in recent years thanks to the excellent results achieved with its application outdoors. Its versatility, durability and ability to achieve aesthetic finishes make it an ideal construction material for cladding both vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Its high performance allows it to pave all types of spaces. It is an ideal complement to give a unique style to terraces, porches, concrete patios or garden floors. It is a perfect ally to create beautiful architectural landscapes, thanks to its flexibility in design. But, what is the price of imprinted concrete?.
In this post we are going to present you with everything that can contribute and detail the factors that determine how much the square metre of imprinted concrete is worth.
Imprinted concrete price per m2
The appeal of imprinted concrete is due to its excellent durability and the wide variety of finishes it offers. It achieves pavements with the appearance of stone, cobblestones, slate or wood. The great diversity of moulds and colours allows each project to be personalised to the maximum. On many occasions with a simple addition of colour, different decorations can be achieved.
This building material can satisfy the most demanding tastes, leading to its use in public parks, shopping centres, sidewalks, buildings, garages, airports or industrial estates, among others. In any case, only a professional applicator or a company specialised in the implementation of imprinted concrete can accurately determine the price of imprinted concrete per square metre.
At this point, it's time to know what factors are going to determine the cost of a project in which imprinted concrete is going to be paved.
10 factors that determine the price of imprinted concrete
The final price of the application of imprinted concrete can vary depending on different factors. When paving a floor, a facade, a park, a sidewalk or any outdoor space, you have to take into account the dimensions of the surface, the complexity of the work, the type of mould or the condition of the support before getting down to work.
Below we show you the factors that directly affect the price of imprinted concrete and that will be present in any paving project. Take note!.
1. Support status
The previous state of the surface conditions the price of the imprinted concrete. If the support needs to be repaired or compacted more, the cost will be higher. The type of subsoil must also be taken into account. If it is a soil that has moisture, a plastic will have to be put to prevent it from passing through. The performance of tasks prior to paving, increases the final price of the project.
To achieve a correct application of imprinted concrete, it is necessary for the support to be in good condition before paving. The surface has to be well levelled and compacted, as it is a decisive factor in ensuring the durability of the pavement.
The support must be consolidated and free of paints and greases. This means we need a base without any layer of soil, or superficial roots.
2. Surface dimension
The most common way to extract the price of imprinted concrete is per m2. A larger number of square metres implies more materials, but it should be noted that in large projects the professional has a greater margin to lower the price. The more metres, the more economical it becomes because the material is used more efficiently.
In areas with many square metres, the application of imprinted concrete is more effective and easy, as these are surfaces with greater planimetry. This advantage becomes especially relevant in large areas. In large surfaces, it is highly recommended to use imprinted concrete, given its easy application and that it allows to maximise its price.
3. Complexity of the imprinted concrete work
The complexity of the work is another determining factor when calculating the price of imprinted concrete. We should not venture to answer how much imprinted concrete costs per square metre without first having a very clear understanding of the peculiarities of the terrain. If the surface has changes in level, curves or slopes, it is likely that the cost of labour will be higher. The drainage of water must also be taken into account.
4. Surface to be coated with imprinted concrete
The surface that is going to be paved plays a decisive role that affects another of the factors that influence the price of imprinted concrete. Beyond the state of the support or the number of square meters, the price of imprinted concrete can vary depending on the surface. The conditions of each pavement are different and on many occasions require a different treatment.
Imprinted concrete pavement for swimming pools
More and more people are opting for imprinted concrete to pave the area around the pool. Decoratively, it's a perfect idea to create an elegant environment. In pools and garage ramps, the surface of imprinted concrete has to be treated with a special non-slip varnish, which will result in a price increase. This treatment allows to increase safety in these areas and prevent falls.
Vertical imprinted concrete
Construction techniques are constantly evolving and vertical imprinted concrete is the best example. In this case, it is an application on vertical surfaces, such as walls and facades. Vertical imprinted concrete is more expensive because its application on walls or facades is more costly than on floors.
The products used in the vertical system tend to be more expensive and, in addition, the yields of the products are higher. That is, a larger amount of material is needed to carry out the application.
In the imprint, the powder release agent is used and in the vertical, the liquid release agent is used, an unpigmented product made from non-stick materials, which is more expensive.
5.Type of mould and its influence on the price of imprinted concrete
The decoration of imprinted concrete is one of its most interesting features, as it is a product that can be customised through moulds. Precisely the type of mould is another important factor in calculating how much an application of imprinted concrete costs.
As a general rule, the heavier and more relief it has, the more expensive it will be. The price of imprinted concrete can also be higher if we want geometric patterns or very specific decorative shapes. A project where a unique decorative pattern is used will not cost the same as one where different shapes, textures and colours are combined.
In this regard, blanket moulds are very thin and have hardly any relief, so it will be more economical. However, theprinted moulds for the imitation of stone, slate or wood are more expensive because they have more relief and the thickness is greater.
To achieve the desired finish, you have to use the type of mould that provides the appropriate texture. The most engraved textures are usually used on ramps.
Wood imprinted concrete
The wood imprinted concrete requires a specific mould to create a realistic effect of natural wood. As we have detailed before, it is a more expensive mould than those that offer a thin thickness. The price of the wood imprinted concrete can vary depending on the company, the amount of square meters, the machinery that is going to be used, the labour, the geographical area or the type of finish that is desired to achieve.
The wood effect imprinted concrete is created through a special stamping and texturing process. A hardening mould is applied to the fresh concrete to achieve the look of wood on the surface. It is used in patios, garages, terraces and parks, among others.
It is designed to achieve an aesthetic finish without the need to cut down trees. It combines elegance with ecological value.
It's a good alternative to wood, as it is a material that can be applied outdoors and does not wear out easily. It generates a unique aesthetic finish on which you can circulate and which has a high resistance to impacts.
6. Decorative style
Generally, decorative elements significantly influence the price of imprinted concrete. It's not the same to pave the floor or the wall with a simple decorative pattern, as to opt for a design with different edges and shapes. The higher the level of customisation, the higher the cost.
If you opt for total customisation with two or three different colours and a variety of shapes, the cost will increase significantly. The high customisation offered by imprinted concrete also requires more working hours, especially if we want everything from geometric patterns to logos or images.
The installation or use of some type of border is also an important factor when defining the price of imprinted concrete per square meter. This ornament with repeated patterns implies a higher labour cost. This type of ornament is not always used, but it is important for finishing application jobs on the street. A white coloured imprinted concrete can also be placed that imitates light stones, something especially used on the edges of swimming pools.
The best recipe is to put yourself in the hands of proven professionals who have maximum knowledge of the moulds. Quality execution requires expert hands.
7. The variety of colours to determine the price of imprinted concrete
The variety of colours that imprinted concrete allows contributes to the high level of customisation that this building material offers. Obviously, if you use more than one colour the price will be higher. The shade of the colour also influences. The imprinted concrete mortar is more expensive if the colour is lighter, as more material is needed. Darker shades are more economical.
8. Type of varnish to protect the surface of imprinted concrete
The type of sealant varnish or resin used to waterproof and protect the surface of imprinted concrete is also a factor to consider when calculating the cost per square metre of imprinted concrete. Generally, water-based varnish is cheaper than solvent-based varnish.
9. Climatology, a key factor in the price of imprinted concrete
The climatology of the area is a factor that must always be taken into account. If the paving occurs in places with very low temperatures, it is necessary to resort to a special concrete that is additive. This additive is more costly. On the other hand, if the environmental conditions are adverse, the application will have to be suspended, which will extend the working time.
10. Limitations on access to the work area
If imprinted concrete is to be applied in a house where the concrete mixer cannot enter, it will be necessary to hire additional machinery, which translates into an increase in cost. Before starting the paving of the floor, the facade or the area near the pool, all the inconveniences that the workspace may present must be taken into account.
How much does it cost to repair an imprinted concrete surface?
There are a number of errors in the application or improper use of imprinted concrete that can increase its price. Bad practices cause defects to appear in the coating over time.
The cost of the repair will depend on the magnitude of the problem. The best method of prevention of problems is to resort to professionals who are specialised in the application of this material.
In this way, difficulties such as the deterioration of the resin are avoided, which usually occurs because it has been applied when the concrete was still very wet. As a result of this poor application, white spots will appear on the pavement. These spots can also arise if an excessively thick layer was applied at the time.
The correct application of the material, but above all the correct preparation of the support prevents the appearance of cracks and fissures. In this case, poor ground settlement due to the lack of material thickness, will require a repair of the surface.
Respecting drying times, taking into account environmental conditions and using the appropriate material for the application is the best way to avoid problems in the future and, incidentally, avoid an increase in price over time.
In short, if the coating needs to be repaired for any of the reasons just mentioned, the price of imprinted concrete will skyrocket. Taking this into account, we are going to stipulate a range of the approximate cost per square meter according to the geographical area.
In Spain, the price of imprinted concrete varies depending on the area, ranging from 40 to 100 euros. In Italy, the average price of imprinted concrete is around 40 euros. In France, the cost ranges between 60 and 100 per square meter, while in Germany the price of imprinted concrete is between 50 and 60 euros per square meter.