 |
| Outdoor Faux Slate Overlay |
|
|
 |
| Raw Gray Overlay Sealed |
|
|
 |
| Applying an Ardex SD-M Floor |
|
|
Overlays are sometime referred to as "resurfacing" agents, however, this contractor refers to overlays as something more decorative than functional, many overlays are not made of anything to do with Portland cement (a main characteristic of concrete). They can be anything from 100% acrylic to a combination of epoxies and polymers whereas a bona fide resurfacing agent has at least some Portland cement in it (it may also have some of the polymers in it as well). Its just that resurfacing is usually applied to level or "smooth" out a rough or damage concrete top, it has a functional vs.. decorative application.
Of course if you want to acid-stain a surface it should be a cementations material since acid-stains only react with concrete surfaces.
So "Overlays" are the decorative surfaces you see that everyone seems to be wild about. Again, the misnomer is they are concrete, they are on-top of concrete, but not made of concrete.
|
 |
| Courtesy of designerfloors.com |
|
|
 |
| Indoor Concrete Overlay Floor |
|
|
The look of overlays can be endless, the agent itself can be colorized, stamped, troweled, engraved (scored), or knocked-down and distressed to give it an old world look. In addition it can be sanded, polished, sealed with a glossy topping agent, stained, etched, fauxed, etc... Multiple transparent colors can add depth.
Again, overlays are recommended when either the existing concrete cannot be "conditioned" to provide a desired appearance by itself and covering it over is the only alternative to providing an acceptable decorative palette or when the client wants an particular texture and/or color not achievable with the existing slab regardless of its condition. Below are some photos of an overlay application is process.
|
 |
| Overlays are used to cover over an undesirable surface |
|
|
 |
| The slab must be mechanically profiled or chemically primed or both for an overlay. |
|
|
|