I have heard many people say, " I wish there was something that I could do to repair my ugly old concrete patio, sidewalk, or driveway". I have also heard people say, " isn't there any other options for making my concrete basement floor look nice, without having to install carpet, linoleum or paint it?" I use to think that those questions only had "THOSE" answers!
That was until one day I searched "Concrete Overlays " on Google. I am amazed at all the different styles, textures and colors that are available through that process. The more I researched it, the more I wanted to know how the overlay process worked. I studied and studied each different manufacturer for the overlay products they offered and the procedures that each one used to get the different effects. I was facinated as well as excited at all the possibilities that there are for any type of concrete, be it a basement, interior floor, house entrance, garage floor, sidewalk, patio or driveway.
I also researched the cost of an overlay compared to carpet, vinyl and tile. I was astonished to find that it was very comparable in price, but when you figured in the fact that your concrete was not only beautiful, it would last longer because of the technology of overlayments adding strength to the concrete itself. I was totally caught off guard by this fact: Overlayments are about 1/2 the price of tearing out the old concrete and replacing it with new! WOW!!!!! I could have that ugly old patio, that I thought would have to be torn out and replaced, look better than new, for 1/2 the price?
I made an inquiry and got some estimates for replacing my 20 x 20 concrete patio. Here is what I found:
Tear out and removal of old concrete = $1,250.00
Form, prepare surface and pour new concrete = $1,495.00
That is $2,745.00
A complete overlay done in a trowel texture with the colors I wanted was done for a little less that $2,000.00. I saved $745.00 and ended up with a beautiful Patio. I was happy, the wife was happy; a beautiful patio is priceless!
