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If you have a concrete surface that is just an eye-sore, let's go ahead and make it beautiful again. But this time, it doesn't have to be plane. Let's not only restore it to beautiful, but let's learn how to make it look any way you want it to look.
Concrete doesn't have to be a plane grey or white surface. It doesn't have to stick to the old guidelines where it is laid in sections with dividing joints to keep it from cracking. Concrete can literally look like anything.
I have visited concrete resurfacing jobs that were made to look like wooden floors with a basketball court design. I have seen marble, slate and brick designs. With patience, skill and the right technique, a concrete surface can be made to look like anything in the world that your imagination can contrive. All you need to do is learn how.
Surface Preparation
First, you would need to prepare the surface. It would have to be clean with no cracks, dusting or scaling. Cleaning the surface with water and a light scrub will reveal any damage you might have. Power wash the surface and then use a warm water and bleach solution for any mildew or other stains that you find.
Depending on the surface damage, you might need a concrete expert or maybe you can fix the damage yourself with crack and scaling repair techniques. That's too much for me to go into here. There are plenty of resources that you can find for concrete surface repair.
Resurfacing Steps
Once the surface is prepared for resurfacing, the steps from here will vary according to the job you are doing. But when you get the idea of literally how limitless you are, put some time and thought into what you want. Then, get your project started. Let me give you an overview of what you have to do in order to resurface your concrete. Then, we'll talk about some of your options within that process.
Mix your polymer according to manufacturer specifications.
Add overlay material, mix with drill and mixing paddle.
Stir in your colorant to the desired consistency.
According to manufacturer specifications, the colorant might need to be added before the overlay material. Make sure you follow the instructions according to the materials you have.
Apply mixture to the substrate. Trowel or squeegee the mixture.
Broom, Knockdown, Spray Down or Stamp your finish according to the finish your desire. There are different steps that apply to each one, so follow the steps according to that finish. A Broom finish is for high traction areas. Knockdown and Spray Down are virtually the same except in application and they are best for smooth surfaces and when you want to create a design. Stamp is for textured finishes where you have stamps for the design effect.
Once you've finished your surface, apply sealant according to manufacturer specifications. This is tricky because you need so much time for the overlay to dry and then you need so much time for your sealant to dry. Outside surfaces would require a few days without rain. Inside surfaces would require a few days without traffic. So, have solid plans in place so that nothing ruins your resurfacing project.
Resurfacing Options
A concrete surface can be resurfaced with several options in mind. You can stamp a brick design with stone designs in between sections. You can stamp bordering designs around an antiqued marble design. When you use your imagination, you can go literally anywhere with this.
Let your kids or grandkids put their hand stamps in a newly finished surface and then lock it in history with a beautiful resurfacing design that can antique the finish while highlighting the fun they had that day. Put your favorite team in the middle of your driveway. Are you starting to catch the drift?
It is a fun and artistic exercise that you can learn to do yourself. If you are not that artistic, then use all the tools available to help you create the design you want. Not only are there stamps, but there is finishing tape and stencils just to name a few. If you aren't artistic at all, you can find an expert in your area. Just know that resurfacing your concrete can turn an eyesore into a beautiful addition to your home.
About this Author
Jessica Brylan has been a student of construction all her life, under her father who retired in 2004. Her passion turned to interior design and strangely evolved into becoming a fireplace expert. She has written such great reports as DIY Outdoor Fireplaces, Fireplace Ideas Report, and DIY Fireplace. Read further details about the Ventless Gel Fireplace reports at The Ventless Gel Fireplace Reports and sign up for the newsletter so you can be updated whenever Jessica Brylan puts out a new one.
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