

Unfortunately, most concrete tends to crack, usually due to improper design or poor construction practices. Concrete overlays less than 6 inches (152 mm) thick are usually referred to as “thin,” whereas overlays less than 4 inches (102 mm) thick are often referred to as “ultra-thin.” Do Concrete Overlays Crack? Depending on the depth of the imprint, cement or concrete overlay thicknesses may vary from 1/4 inch to 2 inches or more.įurthermore, a well-designed and well-built concrete overlay needs little maintenance over its service life, resulting in lower life-cycle costs. Typically, the overlay mix is applied with a gauge rake (a tool with an adjustable depth gauge for achieving standardized topping thickness) and then imprinted with stamping mats or texturing skins. Overlaying is the process in which a new surface is applied on top of the old one and makes it look like a new driveway. What does stamped concrete overlay on driveways entail? If you have an existing driveway that has started to wear out, you may want to consider getting it overlaid. The result is a durable, water-resistant surface with an attractive appearance.Ĭoncrete overlays can be used to seal, protect, repair, and beautify concrete surfaces. It can also be overlaid with color, including blue, black, brown, or gray.

Then finally, a concrete sealer is applied on the surface to create a protective layer on the stamped concrete. This process is done by mixing the concrete, adding the color and finishing agent, then pouring the mixture into the desired pattern. Stamped concrete overlay is a type of surface that can be applied over existing concrete.

However, when applied incorrectly, some problems can arise. In addition, they also provide a better surface for building or maintaining structures.
#Concrete overlay pros and cons full
The benefits of concrete overlays, when applied correctly, are that they can provide a newer and more attractive surface with a less expensive cost than a full tear-out and reconstruction of the existing surface. A concrete overlay will also introduce a better surface for building or maintaining a structure.
#Concrete overlay pros and cons how to
1.13.4 How to Resurface Stamped Concrete | How to Make Stamped Concrete Look Like New What Is Concrete Overlay | Stamped Concrete Overlay Problems What Is Concrete OverlayĪ concrete overlay is a concrete surface that is applied over an existing concrete surface to create a new surface that is smoother and more attractive than the original concrete surface.Ĭommonly, concrete overlays are applied to surfaces that have been worn down from use or are discolored.
