 |
Above: Ashlar slate
with a visible repeat.
Below: Running the pattern at a 45-degree angle eliminates
unwanted lines. |
 |
Be aware that the tools will also draw
moisture if left on the slab too long, affecting the texture
as well as the color, says Riggs.
Tool
selection, use can help reduce repeats
Some stamps, such as a European fan pattern, are designed
to be used throughout an entire pour, repeating over and over
again. But a visible repeat, in an ashlar slate for example,
is undesirable. For such a project, use a 3-pattern stamp,
with patterns labeled A, B and C or blue, gold and red. "The
different colors dictate a different rock pattern to help
you reduce the look of using a mold." says Sacco. Interchange
these three different patterns frequently throughout the slab.
Smith avoids unwanted lines by turning
some patterns 45 degrees. "A pattern, such as ashlar
slate, that isn't intended to be a straight-line pattern becomes
a straight-line pattern when you start stacking it,"
says Smith. "The way to get around that is to turn it
on a 45 degree angle and all of a sudden all those lines disappear."
Bands and borders can also break up
noticeable lines that develop on large areas. "Hide"
control joints by incorporating them into the design with
complementary bands and orders, suggests Leland. "Banding
with a contrasting color or texture will help break up a large
field," says Riggs.
Borders can also help downplay slight
color variations that can result from different pours.
Sacco uses Creative Images tools to
cover larger pieces of ground with fewer placements of the
mat. The larger Creative Images stamps can break up noticeable
lines that develop on large areas. Note that two men must
lift thew larger stamps simultaneously to avoid scrubbing
the surface of the concrete.
Admixtures
can also help
Admixtures do many different things and some can help minimize
the problems that can occur when stamping concrete.
Calcium chloride and Polar Set accelerate
set time and allow the bottom of the pour to dry at the same
rate as the top, promoting a good stamp. Polar Set doesn't
have any adverse effects with rebar while some colors are
adversely affected by the calcium chloride. So consider your
job when choosing an admixture.
"Fritz-Pak makes good admixtures
that you can add on the job site," says Ralston. This
is especially useful when the site is hotter or windier than
where you started that morning. "Fritz-Pak step retardant
can give you the extra time you need in those conditions,"
he says.
Riggs uses admixtures to control set
times and water cement ratios. But watch out for crusting
and surface cracking with some high-range water reducers.
Riggs likes to use dry shake color
hardeners, which offer a broad range of coloring options.
"Installers need to apply the hardeners evenly to avoid
clumps and wet and dry spots," says Riggs.
<<<BACK
TO PRESS | PAGE NUMBER:
1 | 2
| 3 | 4 | 5
| NEXT PAGE >>> |
