Looking into decorative concrete resurfacing but not sure where to start? We’re here to help! There’s a lot to know about concrete resurfacing such as: how to find a good contractor, what is a quality concrete overlay, and why you shouldn’t DIY this yourself.
Big Red Decorative Concrete has been in business for almost 20 years. We love helping customers find a concrete resurfacing option that is both functional and stylish. We have many years of experience in concrete resurfacing in Kansas City in all types of settings and styles.
What to look for in a concrete resurfacing company in Kansas City
With any company you choose to work with, it’s important to do your research. You don’t want to spend a ton of money for a job done poorly. Let’s discuss the qualities you should look for in a good concrete resurfacing company.
Years of experience
With any trade, experience is everything. An experienced company should have 5 or more years under their belt. From those years of experience, a concrete resurfacing company should have an extensive portfolio for you to browse. A portfolio will include indoor and outdoor work, and multiple types of decorative concrete resurfacing examples.
Product manufacturers use
A great concrete resurfacing company uses expert installation and a high-quality product. A poor product won’t end up with the result you want, even with superior installation. A great company will use a superior product and takes the time to train and support the contractors who install the product.
For example, Sundek brand products is a nationally recognized line of products that offer creativity and variety with various colors, textures, and designs. Sundek only works with Sundek certified contractors, so you know that they care just as much about the quality of the installation as they do the product.
Warranty for concrete resurfacing system
You want to be sure your investment in a concrete overlay has a warranty for its protection. A good company will work with you on the type of warranty and what it covers.
Installer training
A great team has training and is always developing their craft. Big Red’s owner, Kevin Toczek, continues to train and improve the skills of all their crew members. There is always something to learn in decorative concrete resurfacing, and a great crew keeps learning and improving.
What to look for in decorative concrete resurfacing work
You might have a rough idea of what you want your decorative concrete to look like, but it’s also important to know specifics that make the difference between sub-par and superior work.
Attention to detail
There are a lot of little details to pay attention to when installing decorative concrete.
A good crew and contractor double check these areas to ensure the best result:
- Edges and joints are clean and neat
- Any cracks are repaired on existing concrete
- All home/business property is protected during the process
Use of appropriate sealer
The type of sealer used depends on the finish and process chosen for your decorative concrete resurfacing project. A good professional knows what type of sealer is needed based on the scope of the project.
A quality sealer helps protect your concrete from a few things:
-
- Dirt and oil stains
- Salt deterioration from deicing materials
- Scuffs and other marks
Sealer also enhances the surface color, preserves the lifetime of the overlay, and makes it easier to clean.
Makes sure the overlay design complements its surroundings
There are many concrete resurfacing ideas to choose from. It’s important to find an option that best fits the surroundings of the concrete overlay. A quality concrete resurfacing company in Kansas City will help you choose what would work best for both the appearance and function of the decorative concrete.
For example, you want to make sure that the finish and texture of the concrete you choose matches the location, such as
-
- Architectural style of your home
- Interior of your home
- Style of your patio
- Building exterior
Big Red Decorative Concrete has many concrete overlays to choose from. We’re happy to help you find the perfect style to complement your home or business!
Consistency
Finally, the project surface area should be consistent in texture, appearance, and overall level. It should be homogenous and reflect a job well done throughout the entire surface. You don’t want one problem area which could develop into a bigger issue as the overlay settles. Consistency is key when installing a decorative concrete overlay.
Examples of poor concrete overlay/resurfacing work
Poor overlay work is unfortunate because it can be easily avoided. If the original concrete is not properly treated and primed, the overlay is susceptible to moisture, cracking, and more.
Below are examples of poor overlay two years post-installation . The cracks were not treated properly, and the control joints were not honored (meaning, the resurfacing did not use the original joint structure) which compromised the integrity of the overlay and created poor results.
Why You Shouldn’t DIY Concrete Resurfacing/Overlays
The thought of saving money by doing a DIY concrete overlay may seem appealing, but in the long run, you may end up spending more to fix any mistakes.
DIY videos won’t tell you everything you need to know for your project.
We get that Youtube is a treasure chest for help on DIY projects. The issue is that you’re depending on an unpaid stranger to tell you exactly what you need to know.
They may be creating the video to help, but they aren’t working for you and don’t know the specific needs for your project. The location of your project, factors that could affect installation, and other aspects could make your project very different from what online tutorials may say. This means that they could skip over important details and steps pertinent to you, leaving you in the dark.
You might not have the proper tools.
And you also probably don’t want to spend money buying them. If you do, who knows if they’ll come in handy down the road. Another option could be to rent tools, but that is another added step and can get expensive. That money could be put toward a stress-free professional installation from a concrete resurfacing company in Kansas City.
You need quality equipment and labor for surface preparation.
The decorative overlay is only as good as the concrete it covers. If the equipment and labor does a poor job at preparing the surface for the overlay, the concrete could have a ton of problems down the line. This is the most crucial step, and if you don’t know what you’re doing it could easily ruin the outcome of the overlay.
Big Red Decorative Concrete uses industry-leading equipment to prepare the surface for the chosen type of overlay. We know exactly what needs to be done and how to do it well.
Some steps are time-sensitive and you’ll need a lot of help.
Usually DIY projects are done solo or with a friend or two. The issue with a DIY concrete overlay is that certain steps are time-sensitive. You can’t wait until the work week is over to get them done. You may also need more manpower for other steps of the project. If you don’t have experienced help when you need it, your project could turn out poorly.
Removing and applying sealer is very hard for DIYers.
As mentioned earlier, sealer is a crucial part of ensuring that your beautiful concrete overlay stays that way. It preserves surface appearance and helps prevent any staining.
Before you can resurface concrete with an overlay, you have to remove the old sealer. Most people agree that this process is miserable because you can’t just pressure wash or acid wash the sealer off. Best practice is through grinding and profiling the surface which is best done by a professional with high-quality equipment. It can be a grueling and time-consuming step, so leaving the project with a professional ensures the best results.
Applying sealer can have its own troubles. It needs to be applied evenly, the surface needs to be properly cleaned and prepped, and completed using the right tools. To ensure the best outcome, it’s best to leave sealing to the professionals to make sure that the decorative concrete overlay will be properly protected by the sealer.
Concrete Resurfacing Cost
Concrete resurfacing cost has a few factors that determine the price:
- Type of application
- Preparation of concrete
- Finish chosen
- Amount of square footage
At Big Red Decorative Concrete, our prices range from $4.75/square foot to $13/square foot. Get a free quote for your project to learn more about concrete resurfacing cost.
Concrete Resurfacing Ideas and Options
Many customers come to use for concrete overlay projects in the following areas:
- Outdoor front entryway
- Around a pool
- Patio
- Outdoor walkway
- Driveway
We also offer a variety of stains and finishes such as:
- Multicolored slate
- Terra cotta tile
- Tuscan terrace
- Tuscan wood plank
- Brick stencil
- And more!
You can browse through our concrete overlay portfolio to view examples of Big Red Decorative Concrete projects in these settings and finishes.
Final Thoughts on Concrete Resurfacing
In summary, we’ve covered
- What to look for in a concrete resurfacing company in Kansas City
- How to spot quality decorative concrete resurfacing work
- Examples of poor concrete resurfacing work
- Why you shouldn’t DIY a concrete overlay
We’d love to help bring your vision to life. Read on to learn more about our mission at Big Red Decorative Concrete 😊
About Big Red Decorative Concrete
Our mission is to make a streamlined customer experience from beginning to end. We deliver exceptional products from skilled artisans with great attention to detail. Client satisfaction is our number one priority.
Owned by Kevin and Beth Toczek, Big Red Decorative Concrete started almost 20 years ago as a pressure washing business. After their first 5 years in the pressure washing business, Kevin ended up becoming hooked on the creativity and uniqueness of concrete projects. In 2010 Big Red began working with Sundek products, and it’s been a great product-contractor relationship ever since.
We love making our customers’ dream concrete resurfacing projects a reality! Contact us today to get started.