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Concrete Overlays
Concrete Overlays Service in San Diego, California
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Concrete Overlays in San Diego
You may not know this, but for a new, beautiful finish of a concrete floor, you don’t have to break up your existing slab. By means of concrete overlays and stamped concrete overlays, you can achieve any look you want for your floor. An overlay can restore concrete to like-new condition to transform drab, gray concrete with a brilliant pattern and color for a fraction of the cost of a new one. It adds strength to an existing surface while updating the look. There are many choices for concrete overlays in San Diego, know your options.
Concrete overlays are a great addition to any home. They can be installed as basic or ornamental as the homeowner wishes and can be designed to match the overall style of any home.
What Is Concrete Overlaying?
Concrete overlays refer to a thin color concrete cement-based product that goes over the existing concrete for repair or decorative purposes. Overlays can be applied as thin as a feather in most cases, depending on the desired finish.
A stamped concrete overlay offers all the aesthetic benefits of conventional stamped concrete but is applied over existing concrete. Concrete overlays in San Diego help you to duplicate the beauty and texture of natural stone, brick, slate, wood, and other materials without having to replace your concrete.
How It Works
A stamped concrete overlay will be durable and easy to maintain if applied properly. In order for it to adhere successfully, preparing your existing concrete surface is essential. Prepare the existing surface by cleaning it thoroughly, repairing any cracks, and profiling. Concrete overlays can be stamped, dyed, and stained to achieve a beautiful final result. The prep work is important to avoid delamination and ensure that the overlay lasts for years.
The overlay mix is usually applied by a gauge rake (a tool with an adjustable depth gauge for achieving a uniform topping thickness) and then imprinted with stamping mats or texturing skins. Overlay thickness ranges from ¼ to ¾ inch, depending on the depth of the imprint. The end result offers you polished concrete like never before.
How much do concrete overlays cost?
Stamped concrete overlays are at a higher end of the overlay products, which can range from 3$-10$ per square foot, installed. Labor costs depend on the market rates in your area, as well as the size and details of your design. Some contractors may even charge a flat fee for small projects, as those require precision.
Staining Concrete after Stamping
Whether you are a professional wanting to add staining to your repertoire or a homeowner who loves a DIY challenge, the steps for staining concrete after stamping are:
Stain type & Color
The first step is to decide what type and color of stain you want to use. Acid stains are great for creating rich, variegated earth tones. Water-based stains offer more color choices, are user-friendly, and safe.
Acid stains need more time to react with the concrete and require neutralization, while water-based stains need additional surface preparation to open up the concrete.
For staining
You will require these materials:
- Concrete cleaner or degreaser
- Etching solution (water-based stains only)
- Concrete stain
- Neutralizer (acid stains only)
- Sealer
- Roller or sprayer
- Mask
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Rubber boots
- Scrub brush
- Plastic bucket
- Pressure washer
- Scraper
- Hose with spray nozzle
- Shop vacuum
- Plastic sheeting
- Tape
Pre-staining Prep
Whether you are staining new or old concrete resurfacing in San Diego, thorough surface preparation is essential. Acid stains are translucent; any residue remaining on the surface of the concrete is likely to be visible through the newly applied stain. If done properly, the initial step dramatically impacts the finished appearance of the project.
Apply the Stain
After the cleaning of the concrete, here’s how you apply the stain:
- Mask off area to protect door frames, walls, etc.
- Dilute stain with water to the desired ratio
- Brush on or spray the first coat.
- Let the stain dry. The concrete will be dry in 15-20 minutes but the total cure time is 24 hours.
- Repeat if more color is desired. Wait a few hours between applications.
Clean Up & Neutralize
After the application, cleanup is required.
- Rinse the stamped concrete overlays with water
- Neutralize the stain (if you’ve used acid stain) with baking soda or ammonia
- Use a soft-bristled brush to loosen any stubborn residue before the final staining
Seal the Deal
After the staining has dried, apply the sealer. Two coats are recommended for optimum durability. In addition to sealer, a floor finish or wax can be applied for extra protection and enjoy custom concrete resurfacing.
Why Use It?
“We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.”
Custom concrete resurfacing can add function as well as beauty. The most common applications are:
- It adds color, texture, and pattern. Concrete overlays are popular for patios, pool decks, and driveways
- Resurfaces interior concrete floors. Stains and dyes can be used to achieve the beauty you’ve always wanted, within budget
- Smoothens and levels uneven concrete
- Preserves the integrity of a concrete slab or pavement
- Eliminates the need of replacing concrete, which is extremely costly and a tiresome process
You can completely transform the appearance of countertops, floors, and the pool deck, as well as the driveway, walkway, front porch, walls, fireplace surrounds, water feature, with the help of Concrete Overlays San Diego.
Benefits of Overlaying Concrete
Concrete overlaying can be either practical or decorative. It can fix problems and add creativity to bland floors. From a practical standpoint, concrete overlays:
- Correct surface deficiencies
- Improve skid resistance
- Improve surface drainage
- Minimize climate-related deterioration
- Improve structural capacity
- Make it easy to maintain
- Are long-lasting
- Are not susceptible to moisture damage
- Are eco-friendly and economical
- Offer excellent resistance against stains, abrasion, and traffic
- Give polished concrete floors
From the decorative standpoint, concrete overlays can:
- Enhance appearance
- Reduce surface roughness
- Offers many styles and designs
- Can make your floors appear artistic with a geometric design or making it resemble a cobblestone street!
- Give you the desired look because of its versatility
- Be customized as per your special demands. A skilled installer can create amazing masterpieces especially for you. Adding quartz beads, masonry effects, metallic flakes, and colored glass are just a few possibilities.
Concrete Overlay vs. Traditional Concrete Stamping
Traditional concrete stamping refers to the designs and textures created on a concrete surface. With this method, patterns and textures are made in fresh concrete through the use of special mats. The approach can be used to create the appearance of natural slate, stone, brick, and even wood. The benefit of concrete stamping is that it can be used to add visual interest and style to what otherwise would be a rather boring surface.
The same beautiful patterns and textures can also be achieved with a stamped overlay; however, the process is slightly different. Instead of applying the stamp to freshly laid concrete, an overlay is applied and the stamping is then done to it. The overlay is a thin layer of a special type of concrete product that can adhere to an existing concrete surface.
Stamped overlays are best for projects where an existing concrete surface simply needs a new look. As long as the concrete surface is structurally sound, it can be made to look brand new again simply by applying an overlay and then creating the desired texture and pattern.
How long does stamped concrete overlay last?
As far as durability is concerned, if applied properly, a stamped concrete coating should last for years. Much like a newly poured patio, your overlay will need to be sealed every few years to maintain its appearance and protect it from damage.
Ideas for Stamped Concrete Restoration
If you have a stamped concrete surface that is suffering from cracks, your refinishing options are:
New Sealer
Every few years, it is recommended to reapply the sealer. For a sound surface, this will refresh the look. Sealers are also available in different sheen levels, from matte to glossy, nonetheless resulting in a polished concrete surface.
Recoloring
Changing the color of your stamped concrete can be done with different types of stains, tints, or dyes. The coloring method you choose will give you a different amount of color.
Resurfacing with Stamped Overlays
Choosing concrete resurfacing in San Diego for an existing concrete surface will bring a new look. The overlay will fix minor cracking, and add strength and durability to the surface while giving you the opportunity to change the stamp pattern, color, or finish.
Before opting for a stamped concrete overlay, consult a professional to determine if your concrete can be resurfaced successfully. We at Concrete Overlays San Diego provide the best residential and commercial concrete resurfacing in San Diego.
The work of Concrete Overlays San Diego is durable, much faster, and affordable.
Remodel Surfaces in Style
If your concrete slabs are worn-out or boring, Concrete Overlays San Diego can reinforce and protect them. A concrete overlay is difficult to be a do-it-yourself activity. Contact the #1 stamped concrete overlay contractors in San Diego, the Concrete Overlays San Diego, for the best services.
When looking for a concrete overlay contractor, take into consideration the contractor’s credentials, license, and recommendations. You need not worry about all this if you choose Concrete Overlays San Diego. We ensure the successful outcomes required to resurface existing concrete to repair, reface or decorate the surface of concrete components.
Concrete Overlays San Diego helps you restore and remodel indoor and outdoor surfaces. Need concrete overlays for your home or business? Our paving specialists are here to help in any way. Concrete Overlays San Diego is the top choice for any type of concrete overlays and concrete resurfacing in San Diego for Pool Decks, Patios, Driveways, Garage Floors & more!
Our Services
Resurfaced Concrete
Concrete resurfacing is a way to make damaged concrete look new again. A concrete coating is applied over the old surface, offering a variety of color, texture, and pattern options. This type of decorative refinishing can be done on driveways, patios, pool decks, and even indoor floors.
Stained Concrete
Concrete staining is actually a chemical reaction between a stain and the cement within the concrete mix. Staining concrete means new life for ugly floors. Concrete staining is known for its translucent color and one-of-a-kind patterning.
Concrete Overlays
Concrete overlays refer to a thin color concrete cement-based product that goes over the existing concrete for repair or decorative purposes. Overlays can be applied as thin as a feather in most cases, depending on the desired finish.