Can You Skim Coat Concrete?

Skim coating concrete gives it a new finish about 1/4-inch thick. Unlike other types of decorative refinishing options, like stamping concrete or exposing decorative aggregate, skim coating is within the capability of beginner and experienced do-it-yourselfers alike.

Can you skim coat over cement?

Skim coating can

freshen up old concrete blocks

and give your home or a wall on your property a new look. The process involves applying a layer of cement over the concrete block wall to cover grout lines or stains and give the surface a smooth appearance.

Can you put a thin layer of concrete over existing concrete?

How Thin Can You Pour Concrete Over Existing Concrete? The thinnest that is usually used when pouring concrete, in general, is

about 2 to 2 1⁄2 inches

. That also applies to this pouring new concrete over old concrete. Any thinner than 2 inches would be too thin.

How thick can you skim coat concrete?

They can be applied in layers

as thin as 20 mils

(a mere 0.02 inch), or you can apply several coats to create a textured broomed or troweled finish. The key to success is the proper surface preparation and applying the overlay at the right thickness.

Does concrete resurfacing last?

Thanks to its durability, concrete resurfacing can last a long time. Considering it’s been properly installed, well cared for and the existing concrete base is strong. A properly resurfaced floor

can last from 10-20+ years

.

How much does it cost to skim coat concrete?

The national average materials cost to skim coat is

$0.34 per square foot

, with a range between $0.32 to $0.37. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $0.98, coming in between $0.90 to $1.07.

Is skim coat durable?

The often necessary but expensive “skim coat.” It’s part of the territory if you’re a fan of old buildings with plaster walls. They are

durable enough to last for decades

but at some point they will require repair.

How do you stick new concrete to old concrete?

A bonding agent (bonding adhesive) needs to be painted onto the existing concrete

first to ensure that the fresh concrete will successfully adhere. This is also true of floor repairs, if concrete is used to fill gaps caused by damage. The new won’t adhere to the old without the help of a bonding adhesive.

Will concrete overlay crack?

But even if you do everything right in preparing the slab before you apply the overlay,

you may still get cracks

. You may experience shrinkage cracks, often the result of applying the overlay topping incorrectly or too thick.

How thick does a concrete overlay have to be?

The minimum recommended thickness is

1 to 2 in. (25 to 50 mm)

for a fully bonded concrete overlay placed on a base slab that is practically free of cracks and in which the concrete is sound, clean, and of good quality. The use of welded wire fabric reinforcement is usually not warranted under these conditions.

Can you skim coat a garage floor?

Once the moisture blocker has dried Ardex CD Fine can

be used to skim coat the entire garage floor surface. This material can be mixed fairly loose and goes down as fine as 1/32 of an inch. Use a hand trowel or squeegee and work your way from back to front.

Can you skim coat a sidewalk?

As long as your walkway isn’t cracked all the way through, you can coat the slab with

a concrete resurfacer

, a no-shrink blend of Portland cement, sand, and polymer additives that fills divots and makes a uniform finish. Its natural color is dark gray, so buy enough to cover your entire walk.

Is concrete resurfacing expensive?

The average cost to

resurface 100 square feet of concrete is $400

. Less expensive projects can run as little as $300 while more expensive ones are about $500. The price per square foot can range between $3 and $5.

What can you put on concrete to make it look better?

1. Paint a Pattern. Yes, you can paint your concrete slab. …
2. Lay Decking Flooring. Did you know you can lay decking over a concrete slab? …
3. Add Curves With Pavers. …
4. Lay Slate Tiles. …
5. Stain the Concrete to Look Like Tile. …
6. Add a Beautiful Outdoor Rug. …
7. Paint Concrete. …
8. Dress it Up.