Concrete resurfacing is a way to refinish old concrete to look new again. A concrete coating is applied over the existing surface, offering a variety of color, texture and pattern options. This type of decorative concrete restoration can be done on driveways, patios, pool decks and even indoor floors.
Conventional wisdom holds that old concrete must be torn out and replaced to improve the look. But there are many repair options available that will save you money, conserve resources, and eliminate disposal problems.
Resurfacing old concrete is perfect for:
Fixing cracks
Addressing discoloration
Hiding surface imperfections
Updating outdated finishes
Covering unsightly concrete
Completely resurfacing concrete with an overlay is one way to upgrade the look, and you can choose from a wide variety of color and pattern options. If your concrete is in good condition but just needs a facelift, you can also stain, stencil or engrave it to improve the appearance. Here, we tell you all you need to know about restoring existing concrete, including procedures, application techniques, and decorative options.
In any case, the underlying concrete for a resurfacing project must be sound. It is not feasible to resurface concrete that is heaving, has severe cracks, or is damaged due to freeze/ thaw damage. Resurfacing will not solve underlying soil problems.
When resurfacing concrete, you can get any look you want. Here are some popular options:
Stamped concrete overlays
River rock or pebble coating
Cool deck finishes
Epoxy coatings with color flakes or metallic pigments (garages)
Spray down texture coatings
Broom finish applications
Integral or topically applied color
Stenciled patterns or hand carved designs
DOES CONCRETE RESURFACING LAST?
If you use a high-quality resurfacing product and have it professionally installed, you can expect it to last 10 years or more. Some contractors have even seen resurfacing last 25 years! But if you go with a DIY resurfacing kit from a big box store, they don't last as long.
Proper cleaning, maintenance and protection go a long ways to making your new surface long-lasting. Make sure to have your concrete sealed, and then reseal as needed.
DECORATIVE CONCRETE RESURFACING IDEAS
There are a variety of decorative overlay options to cover concrete driveways, pool decks, patios, parking areas, and almost any other concrete surface.
Borders are often resurfaced with a different pattern than the interior of the slab surface- providing bold highlights.
PREPARING CONCRETE FOR RESURFACING
The most critical factor when covering concrete with an overlay is to prepare the substrate properly. Overlays are designed to adhere tenaciously to existing concrete. But they must have a clean, solid base to grasp on to. That's why overlooking the prep work, or not doing the job thoroughly, is the most common cause of overlay delamination and failure.
Concrete Coatings of Illinois (Before)
Concrete Coatings of Illinois (After)
The basic steps in surface preparation include:
Cleaning the concrete to remove all substances that could inhibit the ability of the overlay to bond, such as dirt, oil and grease. It's also necessary to strip away any coatings, sealers or paints that may have been applied to the concrete.
Removing any unsound concrete, such as minor spalling, scaling or delamination, down to solid concrete.
Filling active cracks so they don't mirror through to the overlay. Typically any cracks equal to or wider than the width of a credit card will require repair. (See steps in repairing cracks for a concrete resurfacing job.)
Profiling, or roughening, the concrete surface to improve the "grip" of the overlay.
Using a machine that mechanically abrades the concrete, such as a grinder or shotblaster, is one of the most effective ways to prepare concrete substrates for resurfacing. This equipment not only removes most contaminants and unsound concrete, it will also leave behind a roughened surface profile. (Read more about proper surface preparation procedures and equipment.)
Clearly, this is a simple overview. The procedures will vary depending on the condition and age of the concrete and the surface preparation guidelines recommended by the overlay manufacturer. This is a job best left to a professional who will be able to assess the condition of your existing concrete and determine the scope of work required to ensure good overlay bonding and performance.
HOW TO RESURFACE CONCRETE - STEP BY STEP GUIDE
Here's a pictorial overview of preparing concrete for resurfacing with Ultra Surface Polymer:
Check out these examples of restored and resurfaced concrete work:
Before
After
Hotel Pool Deck Gets a New Surface
Restoring this indoor pool deck only took Travis Winters, the owner of Nebraska Concrete Coatings, five days. The hotel manager wanted to improve the appearance of the pool area to increase guest satisfaction and reduce the amount of maintenance required to keep it looking good. The existing deck was stained and rough on bare feet. The concrete was ground down, acid washed, neutralized and power washed. Then cracks were repaired and a skim coat applied. A diamond pattern and brick border were taped off and colored to create a decorative look.
There’s nothing worse than an entryway that is unattractive and unsafe. For this home, Barry Fisher of Unique Concrete knew exactly how to solve the problem. After the tiles were removed and the underlying concrete prepared, a 1 ½-inch layer of unbonded reinforced concrete was applied. The fresh concrete was then stamped and hand chiseled to recreate the look of natural stone and tile. There are no visible control joints because the concrete is heavily reinforced with wire mesh.
Resurfacing isn't the only option for transforming existing concrete. Below is a list of decorative procedures and application techniques that you should also consider.
