I'm a concrete contractor and I talk to many people out estimating and considering work for my business. Often people think stamped concrete is completely different than regular concrete and it's really an entirely different product. This is somewhat true, however the basics of both are the same plus they are usually specified exactly the same, when used in the same application. For example, if stamped concrete or regular concrete is used for a driveway, they'll generally function as same thickness and also have exactly the same design strength.
Regular concrete can be your everyday concrete used in sidewalks, driveways, patios, roads, and anytime regular pavement is constructed. It's generally positioned on some form of gravel or native soil base that's compacted. The area is then formed with lumber or manufactured forms. Reinforcement is usually installed in the base which is usually rebar or wire mesh. The concrete is specified to a desired thickness that is created for its application. For Click here , a driveway that handles car and light trucks is normally poured four inches thick. The concrete mix is also specified which is usually a 4000 psi mix here in areas which have severe winters. That is the strength the concrete reaches in 28 days. Concrete is placed, striked off, bull floated then gets a non slip finish, such as a broom. From then on, the concrete is cured with either water and burlap, or the simple way with a membrane forming curing compound.
Stamped concrete is quite similarly placed to regular concrete. Generally all of the steps will be the same except the finishing steps. The concrete can be colored that is usually added to the mix. It can also be colored with a color hardener, but most contractors use an integral color. After bull floating is when things the process changes with stamped concrete. Some contractors go one step further and trowel the concrete to get the concrete really smooth. We use air entrained concrete inside our area as a result of harsh winters, which isn't said to be troweled so we usually just obtain it smooth as possible with a magnesium bull float. After the concrete sets to a desired hardness, the concrete is imprinted with the rubber like stamps. A release agent which is an antiquing colored release, or liquid release agent can be used to help keep the stamps from sticking with the concrete. Some contractors will put curing paper on the concrete to cure it till the very next day when the concrete will be washed and sealed with a high gloss sealer which is also a membrane forming cure.
So to summarize stamped and regular, there isn't much difference between your two other than what they appear to be on the surface. Many people they think stamped concrete is simply not as durable as regular concrete and that is just not the case. The only thing that could ensure it is less durable may be the texture of the stamped concrete. Within an environment that gets snow, stamped concrete will get damaged by snow removal equipment like snow plows.