Concrete Resurfacing Makes Your Floors Beautiful
By: Tom "The DIY Guy" WesleyHistorically, the answer to making concrete floors look like anything other that a drab, gray slab was to paint the surface with a coating that would withstand a certain amount of traffic before it began to wear off. Then someone discovered how to impregnate the colorant into the concrete, either by using a powder in the dry cement mixture or by adding a powder or liquid to the mixer, and so the art of concrete resurfacing began. It was only a short step to texturing the concrete surface to create interesting patterns. No more boring gray concrete!
Resurfacing an existing concrete substrate in not a complicated process, but it does require specialized equipment readily available from an equipment rental store. The first step is to clean the surface thoroughly so the new layer of material bonds well to the existing concrete. A high pressure (3,000 psi or better) power-washer is necessary to achieve the level of cleanliness required. The next step is to build forms around the perimeter, then mix your material, either manually or preferably with a power mixer from the rental store. The material is poured and finished, either using wood trowels for a rougher surface, or steel for a smooth surface.
Stenciling, another form of concrete resurfacing, is the process of applying a pattern to freshly poured concrete. It has evolved to the point where the surface can be made to look like nearly anything; brick, paving stones, fieldstone, cobblestone, tile or blocks. It may also be patterned into company logos or other personalized imprints. This process is often used to resurface existing concrete surfaces, as well as new concrete. Stenciling or patterning concrete involves a couple more steps in the resurfacing process.
After the surface to be stenciled is power-washed clean, a pattern is laid out using a stencil or fiber packaging tape in the desired width. It is important that the pattern material be adhesive and adheres to the substrate. The color of the existing concrete will be the grout-lines in the pattern. The new concrete layer material is mixed with the desired colorants then applied using a hopper-gun and compressor. After a brief curing period, the stencil or tape is lifted leaving the pattern etched into the surface.
The concrete mix used to resurface is formulated differently than a new concrete pour. Most often, the mix is a polymerized white Portland mix with added colorant. The liquid agent is a resin-hardener that will make the Portland much harder than regular concrete. This mixture sets up very quickly and may be walked on in just a few hours. To slow the setting, add some water, not additional resin-hardener that would only make it set faster.
If all this is a little daunting, turn to the services of a professional. Concrete resurfacing is now being widely offered in nearly every marketplace, so professional assistance is just a phone call away.
Concrete polishing is also very popular with home owners as it is very durable. It may produce cracks over time, but they are easily repaired with a simple step-by-step process.
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Tags: concrete resurfacing, decorative concrete, patterning concrete, resurfacing concrete, stenciled concrete