I'm a concrete contractor and I speak to many people out estimating and considering work with my business. https://beaumontconcretetx.com/ think stamped concrete is completely unique of regular concrete and it's really an entirely different product. That is somewhat true, but the basics of the two are the same and they are usually specified the same, when used in the same application. For example, if stamped concrete or regular concrete can be used for a driveway, they will generally function as same thickness and also have 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 type of gravel or native soil base that's compacted. The region is then formed with lumber or manufactured forms. Reinforcement is usually installed in the bottom that is usually rebar or wire mesh. The concrete is specified to a desired thickness which is designed for its application. For instance, a driveway that handles car and light trucks is usually poured four inches thick. The concrete mix can be specified which is usually a 4000 psi mix here in areas which have severe winters. That's the strength the concrete reaches in 28 days. Concrete is placed, striked off, bull floated then gets a non slip finish, just like a broom. From then on, the concrete is cured with either water and burlap, or the easy way with a membrane forming curing compound.
Stamped concrete is quite similarly placed to regular concrete. Generally all the steps are the same except the finishing steps. The concrete can be colored which is usually added to the mix. It can also be colored with a color hardener, but most contractors use an intrinsic 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 in our area as a result of harsh winters, which isn't said to be troweled so we usually just get it smooth as possible with a magnesium bull float. Following the concrete sets to a desired hardness, the concrete is imprinted with the rubber like stamps. A release agent that is an antiquing colored release, or liquid release agent can be used to help keep the stamps from sticking to the concrete. Some contractors will put curing paper on the concrete to cure it till the next day when the concrete will undoubtedly be washed and sealed with a higher gloss sealer that is also a membrane forming cure.
So in summary stamped and regular, there isn't much difference between the two apart from what they appear to be on the surface. Many people they think stamped concrete is simply not as durable as regular concrete and that's just not the case. The only thing that could make it less durable is the texture of the stamped concrete. Within an environment that gets snow, stamped concrete can get damaged by snow removal equipment like snow plows.
