Concrete Floors,
Concrete Overlays
Overlays for concrete are designed to add a new and refreshing look to the substrate they are applied to. They cover dull, drab concrete surfaces — or even wood substrates — that are otherwise poor candidates for decorative concrete staining and coloring.
by Robin Suttell
first used concrete overlays to repair cracks and other damage in existing concrete surfaces, from driveways to roadways. Since then, times – and tastes – have changed.
Decorative concrete has quickly become a choice material, for both interiors and exteriors of residential and commercial structures. From counter tops to floors, the reliable gray substrate has undergone a transformation. And overlays play a large role in the rebirth of this old standard.
Like paint, overlays for concrete are designed to add a new and refreshing look to the substrate they are applied to. They cover dull, drab concrete surfaces — or even wood substrates — that are otherwise poor candidates for decorative concrete staining and coloring. Applying an overlay atop an existing surface provides a new look or a fresh, smooth surface that will deliver clean, consistent color and appeal. But aside from creating a new look or different finish, overlays can also make it unnecessary to tear out an existing slab, saving costs and headaches.
Overlays, whether a commercial system or a custom-mixed blend, typically combine cement, various aggregates and polymer resins. These resins add additional flexural, abrasion and compressive strength, which virtually eliminates cracking, chipping, freeze-thaw damage, water discoloration and scuff marks.
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