Pattern, Color and Texture
Stamped concrete is pressed with mats while it is still soft. The mats leave the shape of stone, slate, brick or wood plank. Color can be mixed into the whole batch, cast on the surface, or both.
Ask the contractor to show you a sample board or a past slab you can touch. A photo on a screen often looks brighter than the real thing in coastal light.
Sealer and Upkeep
Most stamped slabs get a sealer. It deepens the color and helps the surface shed stains. Sealer wears with sun and foot traffic, so ask how often it needs a fresh coat and what that costs.
Ask about a grit added to the sealer for grip. A shiny sealed slab can get slick around a pool or under a tree that drips.
Where Decorative Work Fits
Stamped and colored work suits patios, front walks, pool decks and driveway borders. Some homeowners do a plain center with a stamped band at the edge to save money.
The same rules for base, slope and joints apply to a decorative slab. A pretty top on a weak base still cracks. Ask the same base and drainage questions you would for any slab.
Permits and HOA
A decorative finish does not change the permit picture. Patio covers need a city permit, and the city guide we read does not cover flat slabs, so check with the city. If you live in a planned community, ask your HOA about color and pattern rules before you sign.