It is surprising that there are so many people who still believe that a worn and cracked concrete surface needs to be replaced. Nowadays there are several different options for resurfacing the concrete. Most often you do not need to replace any of the concrete. You can bring that old driveway, pathway or patio back to life.

Is the Surface Suitable for Resurfacing?

Before anything else, though, you need to determine whether the concrete can actually be resurfaced. There are no complex steps here. All you need to do is inspect the concrete surface to make sure it is in sound condition. If there are widespread, large, or deep cracks, heaving or damage from freeze/thaw conditions or if the soil has begun to settle, then it would not be feasible to resurface the concrete. If you are not sure what to do, ask a concrete professional to check out the concrete.

These are the different decorative concrete resurfacing options:

Concrete Resurfacing Overlays - There are a large range of patterns and colors to chose form with this option. Included in these choices are; Self leveling overlays which can go on quite thick onto the surface. They are quite often used indoors where are smooth finish is desired; Spray down resurfacing is a very popular option for driveways, pool areas and pathways due to its slip resistant finish and the ability to use cardboard stencils to achieve a brick pattern look; micro toppings that can produce a troweled smooth or a textured finish; and stampable overlays which can mimic the appearance of real stone or brick.

Staining - In this option, you're not just adding a solid color to a concrete surface. Because stains seep into the concrete, it produces rich semitransparent color effects and can even mimic the look of stained wood or polished marble. Because the properties of different concrete surfaces vary, the effect of staining is also different every time and it is this uniqueness that makes it appealing.

Decorative Stencils - Creative patterns can be on a concrete area using cardboard stencils. This is done by placing the stencil on an existing slab of concrete and then a thin concrete overlay is applied over it. The overlay can be applied either by troweling it on, spraying it on using a hopper gun. When the stencil is lifted the areas underneath the stencil are left unaffected leaving a pattern that may look like brick tile or stone depending on the stencil chosen.

Saw Cutting - Geometric grids and shapes can be saw cut into your existing concrete even really fancy shapes like logos. The concrete is saw cut using diamond saws. The concrete can then be stained or colored using one of your other resurfacing options to give more contrasting effects.

Engraving or etching - Special tools are used to etch designs into concrete. This is a permanent surface treatment unlike overlays because the surface is carved with the pattern. It can be followed by staining for even more striking results.

There are many different options today for concrete resurfacing, as you can see. By applying any of these finishes or a number of them you really can bring slab an old slab of concrete to life and with a little bit of inspiration you can turn it into a work of art.