What Are The Different Types Of Concrete Overlays & Which One Is Right For Your Project?

Overlaying Concrete: Tips So You Can Decide On The Right For Your Project

Concrete overlays are a great way to add texture and visual interest to your floors. They come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Therefore, it may be difficult to choose just one for your project. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back this time!

Before choosing any concrete overlay in Gilbert, you must know its benefits, especially with our tricky weather that can ruin some floors. The best way to know that is by checking the different types of concrete overlays so you can decide on the right for your project.

Types of Concrete Overlays

There are four different concrete overlays used to create beautiful floors: Micro toppings, stampable overlays, multipurpose overlays, and self-leveling overlays. All have distinctive qualities and makeup to achieve decorative aesthetics.

If overlays are not put correctly, and manufacturers’ technical data sheets are not studied and strictly complied with, overlays may act maladjusted. Preparation is the key to success with any overlay system, and a lack of preparation, combined with a lack of study, will fail.

Overlay applications rely heavily on preparation and profiles established by the International Concrete Institute.

Overlays present numerous opportunities and financial rewards for different companies. That’s why you can find many options on the market, but it’s up to you to decide the best one according to your needs.

Let’s now check the different characteristics of each concrete overlay.

Microtopping

Micro toppings with mixed designs ranging from coarse to fine grade are used in resurfacing old, worn concrete floors, especially if they look terrible or damaged.

Microtoppings concrete overlays in Paradise Valley are an excellent option to enhance your floor with different neutral tones like gray, beige, and white.

With micro toppings, the manufacturers rejuvenate the surfaces to give them the appearance of new concrete floors.

Coatings with fine and coarse mix designs are placed in layers to provide resilience to micro toppings. Larger aggregate in coarse micro toppings serves to cover up small areas of damage on the floor and fill in our profile, leaving the surface with a clean slate.

To get that blank canvas, the coarse may occasionally require two applications. The surface of our finished floor is then smoothed out and the coarse grade is filled, preparing it for stains, saw-cut designs, and other finishing touches.

Stample Overlays

Stampable overlays are used both indoors and outdoors to create the look of wood, tile, brick, or stone on a concrete surface.

Depending on the depth of the pattern, gauge-raked-out stampable overlays are often no deeper than 1/2 inch without the use of a heavier aggregate, such as a 3/8-inch pea stone. Stampable overlays applied at a thickness of at least 1/2 inch are typically expensive.

When thinking about different concrete overlays in Ahwatukee, keep in mind that stample overlays contain cementitious materials, so they can be integrally pigmented and will tolerate stains quite well.

Stample overlay coatings are only as good as the concrete they are applied to and the applicator who applies them. Therefore, you should not consider a stampable overlay as a permanent solution for a slab that is severely spalled or severely breaking due to movement.

Multipurpose Overlays

Multipurpose overlays with substantial sand makeup are designed for re-brooming, spray textures, texture troweling, and underlayment. You can get the most creative freedom with multipurpose overlays if it is installed with a trowel, hopper gun, or brush.

Self-leveling Overlays

Self-leveling overlays are exactly that. They can flatten out on their own by using a metal squeegee thanks to their makeup. They work well to restore the appearance of a concrete floor or as an underlayment for other flooring materials.

Of all overlays, self-levelers are the most unpredictable. They only have a limited time to work. Therefore, you must find a reliable manufacturer before installing this type of concrete overlay.

How To Choose The Right Overlay

Now that you know the different types of concrete overlays in Queen Creek, you may want to know how to choose the best one for your project.

We recommend you consider the following tips: