Concrete is one of the most durable and widely used materials on the market. At the general consumer level, it is most commonly used for driveways, patios, and other functional areas. With the amount of foot and vehicle traffic, weather erosion, and various other causes of damage and discoloration, resurfacing your concrete is essential for revitalizing these areas on your property.
The goal of concrete resurfacing is to bring life and proper functionality back into your concrete. This is done by repairing cracks and pits that have developed over time and adding in a new layer on top. This new layer can be standard concrete or a more decorative layer. There are lots of options for resurfacing your concrete, and you can explore all your options through the best concrete resurfacing services.
Before jumping into adding in the fresh, new layer of concrete, the existing top layer must be cleaned and scraped. This ensures that the new concrete has the best surface to adhere to. A high-strength pressure washer is the best choice for removing all that unwanted dirt, grease, oil, and other debris. Small cracks in the concrete can be left alone and covered by the new layer, but larger ones will need proper filling and care before the resurfacing layer is added.
You may be tempted to think that replacing the old, worn-out concrete is your best option. If the concrete is unstable and damaged beyond repair, you will need to replace it. But, it’s likely that your concrete could just use a new finish on top. Resurfacing your concrete will repair all the surface-level damage while making it look brand new and stylish. Concrete that has been resurfaced by professionals can last 10 to 25 years.
Resurfacing is cheaper and faster than replacing concrete. If your concrete still has some life left in it, resurfacing is a great way to extend its lifespan.
Unlike ordinary concrete, resurfacing concrete is designed to be applied in thin layers on top of the existing slabs. A long-handled squeegee tool is used to spread the new concrete evenly over the clean surface. The concrete dries pretty quickly and is usually done in 2-3 layers before the job is considered complete. This is also done in warm weather with no rain in the forecast for at least 8 hours after the initial application to ensure the concrete dries fully and correctly.
There are many design options for resurfacing your concrete. Truly, you can get any look you want for your concrete with the proper tools and assistance. Here are some of the more popular design options:
Simply staining the concrete can add new life to the dull surface. Concrete stain is made specifically for this purpose and can be applied to the area using a sprayer.
Get a stylish finish without the need for a full floor replacement. Any type of stone, wood, brick, or other patterned option can be stamped on top of fresh concrete.
Also referred to as epoxy stone and river rock coating, pebble coating adds a ton of detail to your concrete by topping it off with a layer of small rocks. This is an excellent way to conceal the long-term damage and unevenness of very old concrete without having to fully replace it.
Metallic-colored flakes mixed into epoxy make for a unique way to style a concrete floor. Most common in garages and other work areas, metallic pigments create a specific aesthetic to your concrete.
Made with acrylic, spray-down coatings use an air-powered spray gun to cover the surface in a paint-like substance. This can be finalized from there using a topcoat sealer, or a trowel is sometimes used to smoothen the coating, making a unique pattern on the concrete.
As the name implies, a broom finish uses a horsehair broom over the freshly laid concrete in order to create light ridges. This adds a texture as well as improves the slip resistance of the flooring.
Adding a bit of sand to the concrete mixture may create an effect similar to that of a broom finish. Adding in this bit of texture will make the concrete flooring more slip-resistant.
For the best in stone restoration and reservation, contact Prestige Stone Restoration.
