Decorative concrete in Lakewood CA - a new look on a slab that's sound underneath
Tired of a plain gray patio or a worn slab? We help you pick a color and finish, and check the concrete underneath first.
Decorative concrete starts with the slab underneath
Decorative concrete is flatwork, the slabs you walk and drive on, finished for looks as well as use. That means color in the mix, a stamped pattern, exposed stone, a stain or a polish, and stains and polish work indoors too with concrete floor installation. Most calls come from people tired of a plain gray patio or a chipped, worn-out slab.
At Sterling Lakewood Concrete, I check whether your old slab is solid enough to resurface before we talk colors, and if it's heaving or cracked clean through, I'll say so instead of covering it up. Price turns on size, how busy the design gets and new pour versus overlay, a new top layer. Prep and curing, the wait while it hardens, set the schedule, and my estimate spells it out.
- Base dug out and packed, not just raked
- Water runs away from the house
- Joints cut early so cracks land there
- Pour timed to miss the midday heat
One pattern or a custom design
The design you pick sets more than the look, because the busier a pattern gets, the more it costs and the more upkeep it takes to stay sharp.
Single pattern
- When it suits
- You want a clean look, a lower bill and easy upkeep.
- What it takes
- One stamp, one color and a reseal now and then.
Pattern with a border
- When it suits
- You want some detail without signing up for a lot of upkeep.
- What it takes
- A main pattern, a contrasting edge and a second color.
Custom design
- When it suits
- The slab is the showpiece and you don't mind the care.
- What it takes
- Several colors, borders and inlays, and more frequent work to keep the look.
How a decorative job runs
Call or write
Call (562) 249-2521 or send the form, and we'll get back to you to set up a time for me to come out.
Visit and estimate
I come out, check the ground, any old concrete and the access, hear what you have in mind, then write up the prep and finish in plain words.
Prep and pour
Once you're ready we schedule the job, dig out and pack the base, then pour, with me on site running our crew that day.
Finish and walk-through
We add the color and texture, cut the joints, clean up, and I walk the finished work with you. Satisfaction guaranteed on every job.
What to decide before we pour
These choices shape what goes into the estimate, and a couple of them are hard to change once the concrete is down, so it pays to settle them first.
The base comes first
Nobody sees the base on day one, so it's the first cut people suggest, but I'd rather simplify the pattern, because a nice finish on loose dirt settles right along with it.
Where the water goes
We check which way water runs before setting forms, since a slab that falls toward the house sends rain there. Where a yard slopes hard, a concrete retaining wall sometimes comes first.
Lock in the color early
Changing the color of exposed aggregate, the finish that shows the stone, is uncommon after the pour, though a stain or tinted sealer might adjust it. We settle it with you first.
Time off the slab
A new slab needs to cure before it takes weight, so plan on keeping feet off it at first and cars off longer, and I'll go over the wait with you.
What good decorative concrete looks like
Look for crisp pattern lines, even color and joints that sit where they belong, then open any example to see the finish up close.
Tell us about your slab
Call or send the rough size, new or existing, and the finish you like. We reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate, no obligation.
To talk now, call
(562) 249-2521Questions about decorative concrete
Another question? Call (562) 249-2521
How much does stamped concrete cost near Lakewood, CA?
Stamped concrete in the Los Angeles area usually costs about $15 to $30 per square foot, going by one cost guide. Where you land depends on the size of the job, how detailed the design is and local contractor rates, so a smaller area or a simpler pattern keeps the total down. I'll put your figure in writing after I see the slab.
Can my old patio be resurfaced instead of replaced?
Yes, if the old slab is solid and the new layer can bond to it, because an overlay only renews the surface. A slab that's heaving, settling or cracked clean through stays that way under it. Moisture coming up out of the old concrete can also blister or lift an overlay, and that shows up weeks or months later.
Will a decorative concrete patio in Lakewood crack?
Some cracking is likely, because concrete cracks in all but the smallest slabs, though good design and installation can keep it under control. We cut control joints, shallow grooves that give the slab a place to crack in a straight line, and we cut them on time. Ask any crew you talk to how it keeps cracks in check.
How often does stamped concrete need resealing in the Lakewood area?
Every two to three years, going by one Los Angeles cost guide, and that fits Lakewood too. The same guide says upkeep in the area is mostly about protecting the surface from sun and wear. Plan for it when you pick a finish, since it's part of what the slab costs over the years.
What kind of contractor should do decorative concrete in California?
A licensed concrete contractor, which California's contractor licensing board describes as one who forms, pours, places, finishes and installs flat and other concrete work. Under the board's guidance, a landscaping contractor can also take a concrete-only job when it's part of landscape work around a house. We're licensed and fully insured.
What should a home improvement contract in California include?
State law says it has to carry consumer notices and disclosures, and any change has to be in writing, legible, easy to understand and tell you about your right to cancel. You can also ask us to name any subcontractors, with their contact information, license number and classification, and the main contractor stays responsible for the project.