Many homeowners spend a lot of time in their backyards, grilling, playing with their kids or pets, gardening and just relaxing. There are a multitude of things you can do to improve the aestetics of your property without spending a fortune on a pool or a landscaped waterfall. Generally speaking, outdoor space improvement is among the priorities of homeowners and can be managed without serious financial burdens. Concrete overlays are a practical solution for upgrading outdoor areas around your house, such as pool decks, patios, and driveways. These overlays can also have the look of high-end materials such as tile, brick, or stone without the cost associated with them, which can be extreme and out of the budget for lots of homeowners. That is where concrete overlays come in. What exactly is a concrete overlay you may ask?
What Are Concrete Overlays?
These are thin layers of concrete applied directly over existing surfaces and usually over older concrete. Available in a wide array of colors, designs, and textures, the flexibility in achieving different aesthetic goals is possible. You can choose a design from the contractor or try to make up your own. Give your patio the resemblance of stone or give your pool deck that polished tile finish with concrete overlays offering myriad options at a fraction of the cost.
Cost-Effective Enhancement
Compared to natural stone or high-end tiles, which are expensive and take way longer to install, concrete overlays are a more economical choice. Overlays have the capability to give one a refined look without having to dig too deep in the wallet… half the time and half the cost.
Simplified Installation Process
One of the major advantages to concrete overlays is how easy they are to install, comparatively. Rather than tearing out your entire old driveway, overlays are applied right over existing concrete to minimize mess and reduce any downtime. The typical installation process involves cleaning the old concrete of any debris and dirt, repairing any cracks in the concrete, and applying the overlay. In many cases, this can be completed in just a few days, making it much quicker than almost any other option.
Increased Durability
But aside from adding beauty to the patio or driveway, concrete overlays also add strength to it, making it twice as strong as it previously was. The added layer provides a shield against cracks and damages due to weather or heavy usage. Most of the overlays also contain sealants that repel stains and moisture, so when spills or inclement weather hit them, the surface remains whole, which prolongs the life of your investment saving you time and money.
Versatile Design Options
Concrete overlays can be designed for limitless possibilities. A huge variety of patterns, colors, and textures give homeowners options to create an original look to match the home and surroundings. For those that want the look of stone, tile, or even brick, concrete overlays are a versatile way to create an individualized, arresting beauty outdoors in any color or shape desired at less than half the price of actual stone.
Important Considerations
There is one reason to hold off on picking up that phone right now and dialing the nearest concrete contractor for the many benefits of concrete overlays. If there are major cracks or other issues in the structure of the existing concrete, these need to be addressed before the overlay can be applied so it will be properly underlaid. Second of all, while the overlays are durable, they require a great deal of upkeep – cleaning and resealing for instance – if their great looks are going to last for years to come. Most contractors will provide free estimate and would walk you through their entire process and explain the related costs with fixing the original cracks and the future of resealing.
Benefits for Southern Residents
Concrete overlays are ideal for southern U.S. residents due to their superior ability of withstanding the unforgiving summer heat and humidity. They are resistant to heat and reflect sunlight to keep surfaces cooler during the scorching summers-the perfect solution for kids playing on the back patio or pool deck. Their water-repellent sealers prevent water damages, mold, and mildew from high humidity and heavy rainfall; UV stability makes color and finish last longer, even when the sun is scorching hot. Moreover, overlays create a smooth, sealed surface that is easy to clean in the warm, damp South. Due to the extreme cold, concrete overlays are much less common in the chilly northeast, where they may crack prematurely.
