Is Concrete Overlay a Good Idea? How Strong is Concrete Overlay?

Want to resurface your worn-out and old concrete floors? Get a concrete overlay in Richmond, TX to make it new again. It can be manufactured into appealing designs and look wonderful when applied correctly. Unlike concrete, the modern concrete overlay is durable and robust enough to withstand more battering. So, it can be used for heavy driveways. Read below to know if the concrete overlay installation is worthwhile or not.

What Are Overlays?

Overlays are surface topplings installed over the existing concrete labs for repair or decorative purposes. They are 6mm thick or more than that. They can be bonded partially, fully, or unbonded to the concrete surface. The overlays are made using epoxies, polymer-modified concrete, polyester, polymer concrete, and Portland cement concrete.

How Long Does Concrete Overlay Last?

Concrete overlays have a lifespan between 10 to 15 years. But when maintained and applied, they can stay up to 25 years.

Other factors that create an impact on the durability of a concrete overlay include:

• The amount of preparation work performed on the concrete.
• The quality of overlay material.
• How much regular maintenance and resealing.
• How well it is applied.

What Causes Cracks in Concrete Overlay?

With time, a concrete overlay cracks. The timespan differs depending on numerous factors. However, it eventually requires replacement. Many overlay professionals say that the substrate is the most common culprit that induces cracks in the concrete overlay.

Shrinkage crack can also occur due to an overlay topping too thick or incorrect application. Other factors create cracks in overlays like impact shock, wear, and tear, or environmental conditions.

Remember, cracks can develop in concrete overlay even if you hire the most experienced contractor and use high-quality material. Cracks in an overlay form due to:

• Sun damage.
• Thermal expansion.
• Shifting of the earth beneath the bottom concrete layer.
• Impact damage.

Incorrect preparation and poor application methods make the concrete overlay more prone to damage. So, if you see cracks, talk to an expert to get advice on whether to replace the overlay or repair cracks. You can prevent cracking by ensuring the repair of every crack in the bottom concrete layer.

Benefits of Concrete Overlay Flooring

Modern concrete overlays have high tensile strength as compared to concrete. It is mainly when the varieties of overlay incorporate epoxy. Decorative concrete overlays have less maintenance and an environmentally-friendly design.

So, you do not need to do much to keep your concrete floor looking excellent. Keep up a mopping and sweeping schedule to eliminate spills and grime. To make the floor more stain-resistant, you can even wax or seal them.

You can enjoy multiple options such as a wide variety of finishes, stencils, colors, stamps, and stains. They will help you create a unique appearance for your floor. Adding an overlay to your concrete floor is much more cost-effective compared to installing a new tile, hardwood flooring, or a new carpet.

As you know, concrete is one of the most robust materials for flooring. A concrete overlay incorporates pigment or stains. Therefore, the floor stays stronger. These coatings are also highly resistant to etching and staining from heavy equipment or chemical use. Thus, you can expect the concrete overlay to stay as long as your floors.

So, a concrete overlay offers the following benefits:

• Enhance surface drainage.
• Fix surface flaws.
• Minimize rough surfaces on floors.
• Boost flooring appearance.
• Enhances structural capacity.
• Boost skid resistance.

Make sure you recruit a professional concrete contractor in Richmond, TX. They have an immense experience in concrete overlay installation.

Enjoy the Home of Your Dreams Instantly with a Concrete Overlay

Remodeling your existing floors at home can be challenging. Instead of spending money to redo your floors completely, get a concrete overlay.

It can be placed directly onto any existing subfloor without requiring big modifications.

One advantage of concrete overlays is that they are versatile. Therefore, they can be applied horizontally or vertically as per the requirement. So, take your damaged concrete floor to the next level with a concrete overlay. It is easy and quick to install. It will shield your flooring and minimize the amount of repairing you require.