Stamped Concrete
Stamped and coloured concrete patios, walkways and steps in Ottawa: published price envelope, sealing and the same Code standard as plain flatwork.
A wide envelope from 2025-26 Ottawa-area and Ontario published prices; the sources spread about three times, so treat it as a range to check quotes against, not a tier list.
Find a Concrete ProAbout Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete is a slab pressed with a pattern while it is still plastic, often with colour added. Underneath the pattern it is exterior flatwork, so the 2024 Ontario Building Code standard is the same as for plain concrete: at least 32 MPa at 28 days and a water-to-cement ratio no higher than 0.45 (Div. B, 9.3.1.6. and 9.3.1.7.). Skilled Trades Ontario lists imprinted, pigmented, stained and exposed-aggregate work in the scope of the Cement (Concrete) Finisher trade, which is a non-compulsory trade, so no certificate is legally required.
Ottawa winters matter. The National Research Council's digest on concrete in winter says surface scaling occurs mainly on pavements, sidewalks and other horizontal surfaces and is most severe where de-icing salts are used. The concrete producers' association of Ontario advises against de-icing chemicals, especially in the first winter; that is industry guidance, not a Code rule.
Sealing is part of the job. The published resealing intervals we read disagree with each other, so follow the sealer maker's instructions and ask your contractor which sealer they use and when the first coat goes on.
Since March 1, 2026 the City of Ottawa requires a hardscaping contractor licence for any business that installs or alters concrete pads, patios, walkways, steps, driveways or retaining walls on private property. Ask to see the licence and check the City's list of licensed hardscaping contractors yourself; we do not check it for you.
What This Work Covers
- Pattern and colour choice before the pour
- Concrete to the Code's exterior flatwork standard
- Control joints placed to suit the pattern
- Sealer, per the maker's instructions
- Borders and a matching step finish if wanted
Popular For
What this work costs
Common questions about stamped concrete
- Why does a stamped patio cost more than broom finish in Stittsville?
- Is $45 a square foot too much for stamped concrete in Nepean?
- Should my Orleans patio quote mention control joints?
- Faded stamped patio in Westboro: resurface, reseal or replace?
- How often should stamped concrete in Ottawa be resealed?
- Stamped concrete in Barrhaven: what is the price per square foot?
- Does the Code set different rules for coloured concrete in Ontario?
- How thick should a concrete front walk be in Kanata?
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Resurfacing worn Ottawa patios, walks and steps with a bonded overlay, and when the slab underneath rules it out.
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Tell us about your stamped concrete job and we'll send it to local concrete contractors in Ottawa. They reply by email.