Everything You Need To Know About Concrete Overlays And Stamping

Whether it's a driveway, a patio or even a pool deck which you wish to renovate, concrete overlays and stamped concrete are what you need. If you do not want to go through the trouble of installing entirely new concrete from scratch, overlays and stamping are ideal options to consider. Not only can they help repair the imperfections and flaws of your flooring, but they are also an excellent way to save on the costs incurred by new installations.

Here are a few things you need to know about overlays and stamping to renovate your floors.

Concrete Stamping

Stamping involves pouring fresh new material on your existing foundation which has been damaged by excessive use. Portland cement is commonly used to make this new concrete. The flaws and imperfections of your floors can be hidden when stamping is utilized.

The process of stamping is reliably straightforward. Once new concrete is poured on to the damaged floor, it is stamped using molds. The stamping technique helps create unique, appealing designs and textures which improve the overall look of the floor.

As in the case of ordinary flooring, the cement floors can also be stained after the actual stamping process. Often, after stamping and staining, the concrete floor mimics floors of different materials, including natural stone floors and wood floors. At times, it may seem like the surface has seams or cracks after stamping, but this is normal and should not be concern.

Concrete Overlays

Even though cement overlays, like cement stamping, are used to repair imperfections in your flooring, the technique used is different in a few subreg ways. Thin decorative overlays are placed on existing concrete flooring which gives it an elegant and polished look. What's best is that with the overlay, your floor becomes extremely durable in comparison to ordinary concrete. The overlay also allows your floor to withstand much more pressure than standard concrete floors.

Overlays are recommended when the condition of the existing floor is not too bad. Concrete overlays are available in a multitude of colors and designs which could make it easy for homeowners to choose an option which can best complement their house.

Even though both concrete stamping and overlays are used to improve the aesthetic factor of your floor, concrete overlays often require much more planning and maintenance than stamped concrete.

As you can see, there are different methods to achieve the desired results that you'd be looking for. Always keep in mind the price of ripping out the foundation compared to grinding and restoring the existing foundation.