Using A Concrete Overlay To Make Your Home More Attractive
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009When it comes to concrete, most of us imagine a gray, dull and boring floor. Warehouse stores are known for their use of concrete flooring, although they typically use it as a cost cutting measure because concrete is cheaper than linoleum and other flooring types. However, a concrete overlay is an incredibly cost effective way to get a beautiful floor in any application. This option is ideal for any establishment, including a home. The cost of a layer of engineered concrete on the existing slab is similar in price to tile and the results can blow you away.
As you know, millionaires have beautiful floors in their homes; this flooring is often made from marble. This is a beautiful choice that shows elegance and wealth, but the cost cannot be ignored; it is incredibly expensive. If your original goal was marble flooring, but cannot afford the costs, there are companies who can produce polymer resin and concrete mixtures; they mimic marble at an affordable price. The polymer is used to help bind the overlay to the existing concrete; this allows the properties of concrete to change so that it does not crack with a humidity or temperature changes in a home. Another property change is that the concrete can mimic marble in shine and color.
Overlays can be laid in different thicknesses; you can go as thin as a credit card to several inches thick. When properly mixed, the concrete and polymer stick well to the slab; most importantly, they are very durable. In fact, even the floors at one of those above mentioned warehouse stores use a concrete overlay on top of the original slab. This is what gives the concrete its shine. Those floors stand up to years of abuse without any signs of wear. Overlays are also resistant to UV exposure, salt, and most chemicals; this makes it ideal for all applications including those outside.
A new trend for the modern home is to use concrete and a concrete overlay to build up counters. This option is a popular choice among homeowners because concrete is well-known for its strength and durability; the overlay is well-known for its ability to mimic other materials. There are some homeowners who stain the concrete because they like the concrete look; however, others will use an overlay to get that beautiful marble or granite look. As you know, marble and granite make beautiful countertops, but neither have the strength and durability to standup to concrete. Most importantly, concrete is more resistant to odors and stains; making it the perfect choice for either your home’s floors or countertops.
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