Decorative concrete gives you the durability of traditional concrete with the appearance of natural stone, brick, slate, or wood—without the maintenance demands or installation cost of the real thing.
DPS Concrete Construction creates stamped and decorative concrete surfaces that elevate commercial and residential properties alike, and hold up beautifully through Nebraska's harsh winters and hot summers. Call
(402) 612-7222 to schedule a design consultation.
Decorative Concrete Installation
DPS installs decorative concrete for a wide range of applications where appearance matters as much as performance. Commercial entrances and lobby approaches that need to make a strong visual impression. Patios and outdoor gathering spaces designed for hospitality or employee areas. Courtyards, plaza surfaces, and building surrounds where plain gray concrete would miss the mark. Pool decks where slip resistance, heat reflection, and aesthetics all need to work together. Sidewalk accents and decorative borders that tie a commercial property's hardscape together.
Every decorative concrete project starts with a design conversation. We don't hand you a catalog and walk away—we help you think through patterns, color combinations, and finish options that suit the architecture, the surroundings, and the budget.
Why DPS for Decorative Concrete?
Decorative concrete is one of the most technically demanding types of flatwork. The difference between a beautiful stamped surface and one that looks faded or blotchy within a few years comes down to the skill of the finishers, the timing of the stamp, the quality of the color application, and the sealer system used at the end. DPS has the experienced finishers and the process discipline to deliver consistent, high-quality decorative work.
We use professional-grade stamping tools, integral and surface-applied color systems, and high-performance sealers that protect the surface and maintain the depth of color over time. If you've seen disappointing decorative concrete that's worn poorly, it almost always traces back to shortcuts in one of these areas.
Design Options and Finishes
DPS offers an extensive range of patterns, textures, and color systems:
- Ashlar slate for a formal, geometric stone appearance.
- Random stone for a natural, irregular pattern. Brick and running bond for a classic, traditional look.
- Cobblestone for a rustic, European-style surface.
- Wood plank for interior-quality warmth in outdoor applications.
- Decorative borders in contrasting patterns or colors to frame a field area. Integral color mixed throughout the concrete for consistent tone that won't wear off the surface.
- Antique release colors applied before stamping to create realistic depth and variation. Exposed aggregate finishes that reveal the natural stone in the concrete mix.
- These options can be combined—a wood plank field with a slate border, for example, or an integral color base with antique release highlights.
- We bring samples to your design consultation so you can see what different combinations actually look like before committing.
Decorative Concrete Restoration and Maintenance
Existing decorative concrete can often be refreshed rather than replaced. DPS offers restoration services for surfaces that have faded, lost their sealer, or suffered surface damage:
Resealing to restore color depth and weather protection on faded surfaces. Color refresh using surface-applied stains or dyes where integral color has worn. Surface crack repair using flexible color-matched fillers. Full crack repair addressing the underlying cause, not just the surface symptom. Overlay systems that apply a new decorative surface over sound existing concrete—effectively giving an old slab a new face at a fraction of the replacement cost.
We assess the current condition honestly before recommending restoration vs. replacement. If your decorative surface has structural issues beneath it, overlaying it is money wasted—we'll tell you that before you spend it.
Our Decorative Concrete Installation Process
Decorative concrete requires more steps than standard flatwork, and each one matters:
- Design consultation to select patterns, colors, and finish system.
- Color selection with physical samples under your site's lighting conditions.
- Site preparation including excavation, base work, and form setting.
- Concrete placement with proper mix design for the application.
- Stamping performed at the precise window of workability—timing is critical.
- Curing under controlled conditions to protect the surface and color.
- Sealer application once curing is complete, with the first of periodic resealing scheduled.
We don't rush the stamp and we don't skip the sealer. These are the two places where decorative concrete most often fails, and we treat them as non-negotiable.
Frequently Asked Questions — Decorative & Stamped Concrete in Omaha, NE
Is stamped concrete slippery, especially when wet?
Untextured stamped concrete can be slippery when wet, which is why DPS always incorporates surface texture into our stamped work—either through the pattern itself or through a broadcast anti-slip additive in the sealer. For pool decks and areas with regular water exposure, we specifically design the finish to maximize traction. Properly finished stamped concrete is no more slippery than natural stone or pavers.
How long does decorative concrete last?
The concrete itself typically lasts as long as any other concrete surface—30 to 50 years with proper care. The decorative finish is maintained through periodic resealing, typically every 2 to 5 years depending on traffic and sun exposure. Neglecting the sealer is the most common reason decorative concrete looks worn and faded before its time. DPS can set you up with a maintenance schedule from the start.Concrete is durable, but it can still crack due to soil shifts, shrinkage during curing, weather, or heavy loads. While some small hairline cracks are normal, our concrete driveway contractors in Omaha, NE use proven methods to minimize risk. Reinforcement with steel rebar, proper expansion joints, and high-quality mixes all help prevent major cracking. Regular sealing also protects against moisture intrusion, which weakens concrete over time. With professional installation, cracking can be controlled and often reduced significantly.
Can stamped concrete be repaired if it cracks?
Yes, though matching color and pattern in a repair is more complex than standard concrete work. DPS uses color-matched repair materials and careful texture blending to minimize the visual difference between the repair and the surrounding surface. For crack repairs on stamped concrete, we always address the root cause—settlement, joint failure, tree root movement—or the same crack will return.
Does decorative concrete need to be sealed?
Yes, and this isn't optional. Sealer protects the color from UV fading, prevents water penetration and freeze-thaw damage, and gives the surface the sheen that makes decorative concrete look its best. New decorative concrete should be sealed shortly after the curing period. Resealing every 2 to 3 years for exterior surfaces is a reasonable maintenance baseline, though high-traffic areas may need it more frequently.
Is decorative concrete more expensive than standard concrete?
Yes—decorative concrete costs more per square foot than standard flatwork due to the additional materials (color, stamps, sealer) and the higher skill level required for finishing. That said, it's typically less expensive than natural stone, pavers, or brick when you account for installation and long-term maintenance. For many applications, decorative concrete offers the best combination of appearance, durability, and value.
Ready to turn ordinary concrete into a standout surface?
Contact DPS Concrete Construction to schedule your decorative concrete consultation. We'll bring samples, talk through your options, and give you a clear estimate. Call
(402) 612-7222 or reach us online. We serve Omaha, Council Bluffs, and the surrounding metro.
