Decorative Concrete
Decorative Concrete Finishes in Tacoma & South Sound
Not every project needs a full stamp job. Our team adds decorative borders, textured edges, and color accents to standard concrete slabs. A stamped border around an exposed aggregate patio, a colored band along a driveway edge, or a textured accent at the front steps. It is the detail work that makes the difference between plain concrete and something worth looking at.
What counts as decorative concrete
Any concrete finish beyond standard broom or smooth trowel.
- Stamped borders: a 12-18 inch stamped band around the edge of a patio or driveway. Gets the decorative look at the perimeter without stamping the whole slab.
- Exposed aggregate with stamped accents: the center of the slab is washed to reveal the rock, and the border gets a stamp pattern. Two textures in one pour.
- Color hardener accents: broadcast color into specific zones of the slab for contrast. Common on patios where homeowners want a two-tone look.
- Textured banding: hand-tooled or stamped lines that break up a large slab and add visual interest. Useful on long driveways.
- Integral color: pigment mixed into the entire batch. The color goes all the way through the slab, not just on the surface.
Where decorative finishes work best
The most common requests our crew gets.
Patio borders
Stamped or colored border around a broom-finish or exposed aggregate patio. Frames the space and gives it a finished edge.
Driveway accents
Colored bands, stamped borders, or exposed aggregate sections that break up the visual of a large driveway.
Front entry details
Decorative finishes on entry steps, landings, and front walkways. First thing visitors see.
Common questions
Decorative Concrete FAQ
Is decorative concrete more expensive than regular?
Yes, but not by as much as a full stamp job. Adding a stamped border to a standard slab adds 15-25% to the cost. Full decorative pours with color and stamps add more. It depends on how much detail goes into the finish.
Can you add decorative elements to existing concrete?
In some cases. Stamp overlays can be applied to existing slabs that are in good condition. For color, staining or dyeing existing concrete is possible. New borders require pouring new concrete adjacent to the old slab.
How does decorative concrete hold up in PNW weather?
Same as any properly poured slab. Air-entrained concrete with sealer handles freeze-thaw cycles fine. The sealer protects color work and stamp patterns from UV and moisture. Resealing every 2-3 years is the main maintenance.
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