Stamped Concrete Overlays For Dummies

By Author: Rigby Lods
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As an alternative to installing stone, granite, marble and slate, stamped overlay costs much less but still achieving almost the same effect in color and texture. A stamped concrete overlay makes use of an engineered modified polymer cementous product which is considered to be:

Stronger compared to normal concrete and other concrete coating products even with if the application is as thin as a grain of sand.
Highly resistant to salt,chemicals, UV,freeze/thaw, delamination,hydrostatic pressure, oil, stains, mildew/fungus,depending on the seal coat,
Cost effective since the overlays and sealers provide more strength and durability and nearly maintenance free surface that looks like stone, brick,slate at much lesser cost.

More flexible with the wide variety of applications – broom finish, splatter texture,trowel finish, stamped overlay,chemical stain – color and design options
Application of stamped concrete overlay can be as thin as one fourth inch thick to about three fourths inch, thus cheaper, and still maintain its durability just like a normal concrete surface.An ...
... additional bonus is they can be colored and stamped with design or pattern for aesthetic effects.A penetrating clear sealer can be applied for added sheen, color enhancement and stain resistant.To make the surface more slip-resistant like in pool decks, adding tiny polyethylene texture beads will solve the problem.

New materials and recent technologies have improved the ease in the application of stamped concrete overlay that several DIY’s are available on the internet.To wit:

1.Clean out the pores of the concrete with a pressure washer.Let it dry for a day.
2.Put masking tape over the concrete expansion joints so that the overlay does not get in them, otherwise the sealed surface of the joint would crack over time.
3.Mix a batch of polymer cement with a slow drying time to be able to stamp on the thin surface before it dries. Follow the instructions on the package.
4.Spread one fourth to three fourths inch layer of cement mix over the concrete surface using the flat edge of a trowel.
5.Let the concrete set up until a trowel edge in the surface holds the shape of the edge.
6.Once ready, starting at one end, place the stamp form on the wet cement and pull it straight out.If one is working on a large surface,it would be best to stop spreading the overlay first and do some stamping.

7.Let the surface set up for 2 days.

This process, however, requires some skill and technical know-how. Because of the thin layer, the overlay can dry up quickly leaving little or no time to for errors.Using and placement of stamp forms can be difficult, involving the use of releasing fluid or dry hardener to remove the stamp from the concrete once the pattern has settled cleanly to the concrete.

For a successful stamped concrete overlay, one must ensure though that the existing concrete is still structurally sound.This is where a professional contractor, is needed – to identify problems, if any, with the existing concrete.If there are, these would have to be addressed first before applying the stamped concrete overlay, otherwise it will all be useless and one could end up spending more than what was originally budgeted.

If the surface preparation is done right, the overlay will adhere to the concrete and not delaminate or fade especially in places like San Antonio where direct sunlight can fade painted surfaces and surface coatings in a matter of weeks.In addition, because it is UV resistant, it is, heat resistant thus cooler than traditional concrete and remains cool and comfortable even during summer.Cleaning and maintenance are easy with just periodic sweeping and washing.

Looking for a Concrète Resurfacing San Antonio contractor in Austin TX? Sundek of San Antonio(210) 491-0280 offers concrete overlays, concrete stamping and concrete stain for commercial and residential projects. For more information please visit our Decorative Concrete San Antonio website.