Vertical Stamped Concrete: Applications, Benefits, and Molds
Stamped concrete is a versatile, multifunctional decorative solution capable of adapting to different textures, colors, and surfaces to create unique works with a very high level of customization.
This construction technique has achieved great success thanks to the functional and aesthetic properties it brings to the spaces where it is used, resulting in stamped concrete floors and vertical surfaces that stand out for their great hardness and resistance, as well as their design.
Specifically, vertical stamped concrete is used on facades or walls in public and private spaces, creating vertical surfaces that can withstand extreme weather conditions, blows, and impacts without deteriorating their appearance.
What is Vertical Stamped Concrete?
Vertical stamped concrete consists of layers of pavement constructed on a vertical-facing coating. A key feature of vertical stamped concrete is its strong adhesion to the substrate, providing great resistance.
Its field of application is very broad, as it can cover walls, facades, or interior and exterior partitions, coating these surfaces with a material that provides added durability and a decorative touch in its finishes, addressing the need to introduce new construction methods that elevate the design and personalization of all types of spaces.
The Many Advantages of Vertical Stamped Concrete
This decorative technique has many strengths that we want to detail so that you can fully understand what this material can bring to any space, indoors or outdoors, thanks to its outstanding features.
Mechanical Resistance
Thanks to the anchoring system, its connection to the substrate is very easy and quick, a feature made possible by its composition. Additionally, when it comes into contact with the surface, it forms a greater hardness over it.
Therefore, when looking for an exterior coating that will not peel off in the future and can withstand multiple threats while lasting a long time, this is one of the best options on the market.
Aesthetic Versatility
Thanks to the wide range of possibilities in color, texture, and design, it can adapt to any taste while always offering great performance. Using its molds, numerous effects or textures can be imitated, including natural wood and textiles, among others.
Vertical stamped concrete requires molds to imprint and achieve the desired finishes. When applied while the mortar is fresh, it becomes a very malleable material, capable of creating shapes that are impossible to achieve with other materials.
Very High Durability
In addition to its wide range of aesthetic values, it is resistant to extreme environmental conditions, including UV radiation, making it suitable for outdoor exposure. It is a great option for facades with a long service life, regardless of surface wear, which it tolerates perfectly.
This makes it ideal for both exterior decoration and interiors, as it has a low maintenance cost compared to other options while ensuring impressive finishes for many years.
Superior Waterproofing
When looking for a material that prevents water infiltration upon application, vertical stamped concrete is the perfect ally, as it completely prevents them, guaranteeing total waterproofing of walls, partitions, or facades.
Long Service Life
Stamped concrete boasts high quality and can also be applied to surfaces in a very quick and easy manner. To all this, we must add that this is an absolutely high-quality material that ensures very durable finishes.
And being a very durable stamped mortar, it is one of the best options for repairing or coating any vertical surface. The best results, thanks to its composition, are always guaranteed.
Excellent Value for Money
Its excellent value for money has driven the growing use of this finish, as it offers the best aesthetic and construction properties for any surface or space at a very competitive price. Additionally, its low maintenance requirements make it an even more cost-effective option.
Easy Cleaning
Since it is composed of natural ingredients yet offers high resistance, it is easy to clean. By simply using a pressure washer and a cleaning agent, dust or environmental exposure effects can be removed.
At Topciment, we have the Ecoclean cleaning range, which is specifically designed to adapt to the type of cleaning or stains on any stamped concrete surface. With this, vertical stamped concrete will always shine with its brilliance and appearance.
Main Uses of Vertical Stamped Concrete
Vertical relief-stamped concrete is considered an excellent aesthetic choice, which is why its use has increased both indoors and outdoors on various surfaces, within or outside any structure, thanks to its many beneficial properties, including functionality, resistance, and durability.
For this reason, it has become widely used in the construction and decoration of exterior walls, partitions, and interior walls, such as living rooms or kitchens, offering architectural styles that range from rustic to modern to match any aesthetic architectural style.
This coating represents a qualitative leap, replacing materials that require more intensive care or constant maintenance and offering a different perspective when choosing an application in construction or decoration. With vertical stamped concrete, very different and original designs can be achieved.
By perfectly withstanding impacts and deformations over time, it becomes a highly useful restorative material, being very easy to apply and delivering great results on any surface.
Below, we will explore the main uses of this material or decorative technique.
Swimming Pools
A swimming pool is an environment with constant humidity. Therefore, this construction technique is often used to cover the walls around these areas, as they will withstand humidity like no other material in the sector.
Basements
Basements often experience high humidity levels on a daily basis. These spaces tend to become dark and cold, but by using vertical stamped concrete, they maintain comfortable conditions indefinitely.
Kitchens
The kitchen is a space with significant daily traffic that often endures many grease stains and a large number of impacts. Since stamped concrete is easy to clean, it can be used in both domestic kitchens and those in bars or restaurants.
Facades
The exterior of a building is the part most exposed to adverse weather conditions. This construction technique is used for highly exposed exterior walls to protect that outer part of houses or buildings.
Patios and Gardens
These spaces also experience significant exposure to UV rays and humidity caused by rain or the environment itself. Vertical stamped concrete is used in these areas to add aesthetic elements related to nature, among others, which will last indefinitely.
Stonecem® Vertical: The Exclusive Stamped Mortar You Need
Stonecem® Vertical is the stamped mortar designed by Topciment for the creation of vertical stamped concrete surfaces. It offers high resistance, durability, and customizable textured finishes that adapt to any space. It is the perfect alternative to traditional materials like stone or brick, as it is weather-resistant and easy to maintain.
Vertical Stamped Concrete Molds: Choose Your Favorite Design
The molds for vertical stamped concrete are one of the most important elements of this finish, as they allow us to achieve the decorative pavement finishes we desire.
This is thanks to the wide variety of models and designs available in the Topciment range.
Our catalog of patterns is ideal for application on walls and other vertical surfaces. It features a collection of different designs to adapt to users' tastes and the requirements of various spaces.
We offer patterns that imitate construction materials, giving the appearance of other materials in the same sector but with the added resistance and other qualities of stamped concrete. Examples include the "brick wall" mold or "stone slab" mold.
We also have other models that replicate finishes of materials such as slate, stone, or rock to achieve a natural look.
It’s important to note that vertical surfaces can achieve the desired finishes despite their orientation. This is made possible because the molds used for these types of surfaces are much lighter and have smaller dimensions. This allows applicators or professionals to work easily and achieve the desired effects.
At Topciment, we are specialists in stamped concrete molds, offering over 150 different designs. Find the one that best suits your solution.
Colors for Vertical Stamped Concrete Microcement: A Very Wide Range
Vertical stamped concrete can be pigmented in the same way as other materials used in construction. Thanks to this capability, it is possible to achieve highly decorative finishes that allow for maximum customization of all spaces, both interior and exterior.
As it is a material and technique particularly used for vertical surfaces such as facades, it offers a color range that includes tones between gray and brick red, as we know them. However, there are also shades with various nuances between these two extremes.
Of course, the colors used to pigment this material are of the highest resistance, ensuring that the applied or coated areas do not suffer discoloration, maintaining their appearance, nuances, and shine at all times, even long after application.
Cost Per Square Meter of Vertical Stamped Concrete: Influencing Factors
Vertical stamped concrete offers a highly competitive price considering all the decorative and constructive advantages it provides. However, to prepare a final budget for its application, several factors must be taken into account.
One of the most relevant factors is the size of the surface to be coated. In general, the larger the surface, the lower the cost per square meter, as purchasing materials in greater quantities allows for better prices and greater profitability.
Another factor that can influence the budget is the condition of the surface to be renovated. If the substrate has cracks, irregularities, or damage, it will be necessary to repair it beforehand to ensure correct adhesion of the mortar and optimal finishes.
The complexity of the project is also a crucial element that can affect the final price. The more challenging the application, the higher the cost, as it will require more time and specialization from the professionals.
Additionally, other aspects may affect the price, such as the quality of the materials used, the experience of the professionals, or the distance they need to travel from their base to the application site.
Taking all these factors into account, in Spain, the cost per square meter of vertical stamped concrete ranges between 40 and 100 euros (including application).
How Vertical Stamped Concrete is Made
To apply a finish like this, professionals must follow these steps:
- Prepare the Substrate: Ensure that the surface is clean and well-adhered. Sand or mill if necessary and use fiberglass mesh to prevent cracks. Clean with water and apply a bonding agent.
- Render the Wall and Apply the Mortar: Mix the mortar with water until a homogeneous mixture is achieved. Apply a first layer 2 mm thick and place fiberglass mesh. Then, apply a second layer, avoiding bubbles and respecting the expansion joints.
- Pigment the Wall: Allow the exudation water to evaporate and sprinkle the color hardener or vertical stamped mortar. Spread a layer of mortar up to 10 mm thick, smoothing well to achieve a uniform finish.
- Apply the Release Agent: Once the mortar has set, apply liquid or powdered release agent using a roller or similar tool.
- Stamp the Mold: Stamp the wall with vertical stamped concrete molds, ensuring they are clean and well-impregnated. Apply the molds consecutively, removing them once the stamping is completed.
- Clean the Wall: Remove impurities with pressure washing and use specific detergents, allowing them to act for a few minutes before rinsing and letting the surface dry.
- Apply Protective Varnish: Finish by applying two coats of protective varnish according to the desired finish, whether glossy or matte.