Had to pick between a broom finish and a stamped patio last month

Customer wanted a backyard patio done cheap but kept asking about stamped patterns. I told her broom would hold up better in our freeze thaw cycles up here in Minnesota. She went with stamped anyway and three weeks later the sealer is already peeling in spots. Anyone had luck convincing people not to go for the fancy look on a budget?

3 comments

3 Comments

lindal1319d agoMost Upvoted

Read a local contractor's blog post that said stamped concrete on a budget almost always ends up peeling after the first winter in cold climates like ours. The sealer just can't handle the moisture getting underneath when it's applied thin to save money. Did you offer a discount on a broom finish to try and sway her decision?

emery_black19d ago

Wait, you think I actually tried to talk her out of it? I just smiled and nodded while mentally measuring the distance to the nearest exit. Honestly, if someone wants cheap stamped concrete after hearing all the warnings, that's between them and their future regrets.

the_miles18d ago

Yeah, you'd think she'd learn from all those horror stories. But some people just gotta learn the hard way, I guess.