I'm a concrete contractor and I speak to many people out estimating and considering work with my business. Often people think stamped concrete is totally different than regular concrete and it's really an entirely different product. This is somewhat true, however the basics of the two 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 can be used for a driveway, they will generally function as same thickness and also have exactly the same design strength.
Informative post|Learn here is 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 region 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 example, a driveway that handles car and light trucks is normally poured four inches thick. The concrete mix can be specified that 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, like a broom. After that, the concrete is cured with either water and burlap, or the simple way with a membrane forming curing compound.
Stamped concrete is very similarly placed to regular concrete. Generally all of the steps will be the same except the finishing steps. The concrete is also colored that is usually put into the mix. It is also 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 find the concrete really smooth. We use air entrained concrete inside our area due to harsh winters, which isn't supposed to be troweled so we usually just obtain 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 which is an antiquing colored release, or liquid release agent is 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 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 is not much difference between your two other than what they look like on the surface. Many people they think stamped concrete is just not as durable as regular concrete and that is just not the case. The thing that could ensure it is less durable is the texture of the stamped concrete. In an environment that gets snow, stamped concrete will get damaged by snow removal equipment like snow plows.