Using Texture Mats

By Tanya Bryant, Brickform

After pouring the concrete, it should be vibrated or lightly tamped.

Texture mats are tools that are designed to give a 3-dimensional impression to partially set concrete. This recreates the look and feel of natural stone, brick or tile. There are many variables to consider on when and where to start to texture the concrete: Temperature; Sunlight; Shade; Wind; Access and Depth of the stamp tool.

Use a wood float to create an even surface, which corresponds to the finished grade of plus or minus 1/8" in ten feet in any direction.

The slump should not exceed four inches. A retarded-set, water-reducing admixture should be used, but the concrete must not contain any other admixture, such as Calcium Chloride or waterproofing additives that contain Calcium Chloride.

After placing, the concrete should be vibrated or lightly tamped and then wood floated to an even surface, which corresponds to the finished grade of plus or minus 1/8?EUR??,,????'?? in ten feet in any direction.

Variations in color and texture should be expected and are normally desired, since they increase the natural appearance of the surface.

The Application of Seamless Texture

Seamless Texture is a fast way of stamping concrete, as there is no set direction or lay. Once you have considered all the variables and you are happy that the concrete will hold up to the weight of the person and the tool you can place your first stamp.

Using a minimum of 3 large texture skins you place the first flat on the surface of the concrete using the handles. When placing your stamps ensure that you do not drag the stamp across the concrete as this will scuff and scratch the surface.

Using a pounder, press the mat straight down into the concrete using no more force than is necessary to press the mat flush to the concrete.

The second and third should overlap your first stamp by 4 to 6 inches. Once you have stamped the texture evenly into the concrete you have to under lap the first skin form the other two before you can pick it up to move it to its next position. Repeat this process until you have covered the complete area. (If the concrete is too soft to continue stamping you should refrain from stamping until it has the same consistency and then only should you continue.)

When you move each stamp you should rotate it by 90 degrees, this will ensure that you don?EUR??,,????'???t see a repeat in the design. Using a small texture skin you can work around any hard to reach edges like steps, walls and columns. This is called detail work.

Continue by picking up the placed mats and using them on the next row.

Application of Patterned Texture

Patterned texturing tools require careful layout and tool placement to insure project quality. Joint spacing should also be considered as a criterion for tool placement. Enough tools must be used to span the entire slab in one direction and begin the second row. Place the first flat on the surface of the concrete using the handles, if possible always start against the structure or any straight edge that will permit the tool to remain square.

When placing your stamps ensure that you do not drag the stamp across the concrete as this will scuff and scratch the surface. Continue to set the remaining tools into place lining up the edges with the notch to keep the pattern square to itself. (See the technical data sheet for the tool being used.)

Upon completion of the texturing process, re-check your work and do any touch-up that may be necessary with chisels or other hand tools.

Once you have set the tools in place using a pounder or tamping tool, the next row may begin. Always set the next row tight to the existing row to keep the lines tight and square.

Additional detail can be done using a touch wheel and chisel to carry joints into the edges and wall lines. After the excess release agent has been washed away, and the concrete is thoroughly dry, we recommend that a good-quality, acrylic-based sealer be applied. This will bring out the richness of the color and prevent the color from being worn away.

The textured concrete should then be left to set for at least three days. At the end of this period, the excess release should be washed off the surface of the concrete and sealer added.

Building Blocks

10 to 18: Hours, the typical time installers allow for concrete texturing applications to cure.

Source: Stampcrete Initernational, Ltd.