First, it’s a beautiful alternative to pavers and natural stones, especially for applications such as patios, driveways, walkways, and pool decks. It also requires less maintenance than those materials because it has no joints where weed growth can occur. Adding to the value of stamped concrete is the material’s longevity. When properly installed and maintained, stamped concrete will last for decades.

From an aesthetic standpoint, stamped concrete is hard to beat when it comes to pattern and colour options, which are virtually unlimited. This solution can also offer high margins for the installer and great inspiration for the architects.

All these reasons are the same also in Africa, but there is another big one:

Africa needs to create jobs for the young population, and Stamped Concrete is a wonderful opportunity. We do not ship finished products from Turkey. We sell the “ingredients”, we train the local workers, and then everything happens in the jobsite. This means that stamped concrete can help to create future artisans and will help the local people to improve their skills.

Flex-C-Ment adds to all these benefits and also unique sales strategy offering the products in combination with training and technical support. These allow the African companies to train a large number of workers with a low investment.

Our mission is to create beautiful and innovative surfaces at an affordable price. For this reason, we believe a lot in the African market. We are very convinced that it is possible to plan projects with a modern and pleasant design without increasing the budget.

In the next few years, all the major governments in Africa will make huge investments to build millions of houses for local people. This will be an economic challenge but also amazing opportunity. For many years, the African market was considered a “poor” market, where it is possible to sell only“second choice products”. We believe that new technologies and new innovative products allow today to offer even in Africa the same solutions sold in Europe and America, but at prices that are more competitive.

How? The decorative concrete is a perfect example. Instead of selling a ready-to-use surface as ceramic tiles manufactured in Europe or in China, it is possible to use local and low cost material as concrete, then train local workers with modern techniques, at the end thanks to Ideal Work products which turns everything into beautiful, durable and colorful surfaces. All this is possible reducing up to 90 percent of the costs, creating skilled labor in Africa and giving architects the ability to customize projects in form and color.

Many homeowners use concrete as a surfacing material for driveways, walkways, patios, floors and other applications because of its durability, but its drab, gray appearance is a turn-off for many people. Stamped concrete is an attractive alternative to plain concrete because it features a decorative pattern and color scheme that can spice up any home or landscape. However, there are also issues with stamped concrete that may not make it the ideal surfacing material for your home. If you are considering a stamped concrete project for your home, consider both the pros and cons of the material to determine if it is a good match for your needs.

Pro: Cost

Stamped concrete is one of the least inexpensive paving materials for patios, walkways, driveways and pool decks. Installation is usually easy as well, so labor costs are usually kept low. As a result, many homeowners on a budget opt for stamped concrete over slate, flagstone, brick or pavers because it can be used to mimic the look of these materials at a lower price point.

Pro: Design Variety

Stamped concrete provides a wide range of design options for homeowners. Many different patterns can be stamped into the concrete so it may be made to look like slate, seamless stone, flagstone, brick, cobblestone and limestone. In addition, stamped concrete is available in a wide selection of colors, including tan, brown, gray, pink, red, beige and gray. In many cases, two colors are used in stamped concrete installation. A base color is combined with the concrete to color it throughout, while a second color known as a release agent is applied to the surface of the concrete just prior to stamping. Using two colors can give the stamped concrete a natural, antiqued look that many homeowners find attractive.

Pro: Low Maintenance

As long as it is properly sealed following installation, stamped concrete is a durable, low-maintenance surfacing material. A sealant helps protect the concrete from harsh weather and prolonged exposure to sunlight. It can be hosed off when it requires cleaning so no special equipment is required. Beyond basic cleaning, the only other maintenance procedure that must be followed with stamped concrete is applying a fresh coat of sealant every few years to restore the surface's luster and lessen signs of fading.

Con: Prone to Cracks

Because it is a concrete surface, stamped concrete is prone to cracks. In most cases, cracks will occur along joints and may easily be repaired. However, cracks may also occur outside the joints. These types of cracks are extremely difficult to repair, and in many instances, efforts to repair the damage only emphasize the cracks.

Con: Difficult to Match

It is extremely difficult to match two different batches of stamped concrete exactly, so if a project requires more than one load of concrete, there may be a noticeable difference between the various sections of the surface. You may face a similar problem when adding on to or changing the shape of a stamped concrete surface because there may be an obvious line of demarcation between the changed area or addition and the original stamped concrete surface.