Concrete Floor Overlay: A Cost-Effective Solution to Beautify Your Surfaces
Do you have a grey-looking concrete floor that you want to improve without spending a lot of money? Are you looking for a way to permanently cover surface imperfections on your existing concrete?
If so, a concrete floor overlay might be the perfect solution for you.
What is a Concrete Floor Overlay?
A concrete floor overlay is a polymer-modified cementitious material that can adhere to almost any adequately prepared surface while retaining the properties of concrete.
Overlays can be applied to many surfaces, including wood decks, making them a versatile option for home improvement.
Types of Concrete Overlays
There are four main types of concrete overlays: stamp-able overlays, micro-toppings, self-leveling overlays, and multipurpose overlays.
Micro-Toppings
If your concrete surface can only allow a thin concrete overlay application, then a micro topping is the best option.
Micro toppings can go up to a depth of an eighth of an inch and can be used for both wall and floor treatments.
They offer flexibility and numerous coloring options to achieve a new and beautiful look for your worn-out concrete surface.
Stamped Concrete Overlays
Stamped overlays are one of the most popular options for concrete overlays. They can be used indoors and outdoors to give your concrete surface the appearance of tile, brick, wood, or stone. Stamped overlays are thicker than micro-toppings, ranging from ¼ to inches in depth. They replicate the appearance of traditional flooring materials, and they take staining superbly.
Self-leveling Overlays
Self-leveling overlays are perfect for flattening your concrete floor on your own or as an underlayment with other flooring products. However, they require professional installation as they are quite temperamental.
Multipurpose Overlays
Multipurpose overlays are mainly composed of sand and are used primarily for spray textures, re-booming, and texture troweling.
They provide an opportunity to explore different designs and styles, as long as you have a trowel, broom, and hopper gun.
Concrete floor overlays are a cost-effective solution to transform any floor into a work of beauty and elegance.
They can be used on both vertical and horizontal surfaces, and you should work with a professional installer to ensure they are applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
With such wide varieties available, you might be overwhelmed choosing the preferred decorative finish, but with this guide, you can make an informed decision on the type of overlay that best suits your needs.