Decorative concrete coating around a pool deck

Whether you are thinking about upgrading an indoor or outdoor surface, you should definitely consider decorative concrete toppings as your primary option. Concrete is not dull and lifeless like it used to be. It offers a great many aesthetic benefits without all the hassle that comes along with other building materials. To ensure that you get the best quality for your concrete toppings, start shopping with Sundek of New Orleans.

Benefits of Concrete Toppings for Appearance

The beauty of decorative concrete toppings is that they offer an unlimited array of options for customization. In addition, you will find that decorative concrete toppings are highly durable and easy to clean. Depending what kind of finish coat you choose, you can also give your new surface added abrasion- or impact-resistance as well as slip-resistance.

Decorative concrete toppings can be stamped, stained, or dyed to mimic the look of premium materials and natural stone. For example, the SunStone architectural limestone coating is made from concrete, but through a combination of hand-troweling methods and concrete staining, your contractor can make it look like premium materials, like travertine, slate, or flagstone. The Tuscan system is very similar in that you can customize it with a hand-carved pattern to create a surface that is unique. If you want something with a more uniform pattern, the SunStamp system is the way to go.

Stamped concrete is just one of the many options available for decorative concrete toppings. For maximum durability and easy maintenance, the SunEpoxy thin mil epoxy coating or the SunOne polyaspartic coating may be the way to go. Either of these systems can be paired with the SunChip acrylic paint chip system in solid- or multicolored patterns of your choice. If you really want to think outside the box, the SunMetal FX system of metallic pearl pigments will give you a unique and unforgettable metallic pattern like something you would see in a lava lamp or in outer space. These concrete toppings can be further customized with clear or colored finish coats, as well.

By now it should be clear to you that if you want your home to look great, decorative concrete toppings from Sundek of New Orleans are the way to go. When you are ready to discuss your design, simply give us a call, and we will be happy to connect you to a licensed concrete contractor who will help you bring your vision to life. Feel free to view our product catalog online or call today to learn more about our services.

Concrete repair done and decorated

Concrete is a durable material for any surface, but it can be subject to a high amount of friction, wear, and harsh environmental conditions that can cause it to sustain cracks and other damage. Any form of damage should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent worsening damage. Concrete repair kits can be used to fix small areas, and they come complete with all the materials you need.

Urethane is needed to fill the cracks before attempting a concrete repair. Once the urethane is applied on the crack, it is important to smooth it out to prevent the formation of high spots on the concrete. Sundek urethane is a perfect solution to fill in cracks, especially when applying a concrete overlay to upgrade the design of the concrete afterward.

The concrete repair products you will need will depend on the type of damage sustained. Cracks can be fixed by using a solution of additive and concrete premix. These are mixed well until all inconsistencies are smoothened out. The mixture is then applied to the crack and is flattened down using a trowel. In order to achieve a smooth transition between the damaged edges and the surrounding concrete, a sanding tool is used to buff the area.

Once the area has been buffed and smoothened out, it is important to match the texture of the newly applied concrete to its surroundings. The technique used to apply the remaining material will depend on the type of concrete texture the existing area is made of. Once the right texture has been achieved, a finish coat should be used to match the color of the concrete.

Sundek of New Orleans can repair your damaged concrete and add fine texture finish using Sundek’s SunSand to enhance the look of indoor or outdoor concrete spaces.

Driveway resurfacing with a custom pattern

Driveways are concrete spaces that should tolerate heavy loads and frequent foot and car traffic. Although they are designed to last as long as the house they are built with, their exposure to outside elements sometimes makes them wear faster. Cracking and scaling can occur due to poor placement techniques or a weak concrete mix. If you have this problem, you have the option of resurfacing your driveway. Here’s a step-by-step guide for concrete resurfacing:

Surface Preparation

Power washing the driveway makes sure that all small debris, oil, and dirt are taken off the concrete, since these may affect the application and quality of the final product.

Repair Cracks

It is important to prime and reinforce existing cracks before applying the overlay concrete to make sure that the outcome is sturdy and will last a long time. After reinforcing the crack, patching will be done using polymer concrete, then the area will be smoothened out to match the surrounding surface.

Repair Holes

Cracks aren’t the only things that need to be covered up when resurfacing concrete. Holes should also be patched up using epoxy mortar. Like when repairing a crack, they should be ground and smoothened out, as well.

Application of the Overlay Material

The steps for applying the overlay concrete will depend on the type of surface you desire. Generally, a prime coat should be added before applying Ultra Surface Polymer. After that, the process for the specific overlay design for the new driveway can be started.

Color and Seal

Preparing and spraying the chosen color comes after the overlay design has been applied. Sealing the concrete ensures that the design, color, and finish last.

Drying/Curing

Properly drying and curing concrete is one of the most important steps to make sure that the surface will endure over time. If the concrete is not properly cured after the finishing layer, concrete can be up to 50% weaker, and it will be less resistant to environmental damage, increasing the risk of surface defects after a short time. Let the concrete sit for 48-72 hours after curing, and avoid any traffic on the resurfaced area during this time.

If you’re planning to restore your driveway and want an old-world elegance that catches the eye of anyone who passes, Sundek’s SunStamp overlay is a great option. Sundek of New Orleans specializes in concrete resurfacing projects using stamped overlays, and our experts can turn any driveway into a work of art.

Garage Floor System in New Orleans

Knowing the right place to get your new garage floor system in New Orleans is a crucial step toward putting your garage together. It doesn’t only add to the aesthetics of the room; it also creates a durable rest area that your car and other utilities can call a home. Sundek offers a range of beautiful floors with hardy finishes that would make choosing a garage floor system seem less of a chore. Sundek’s professional-grade epoxy and polyaspartic garage floor systems have a lasting finish, which will assure you that your garage floor will stay polished for a long time.

At Sundek of New Orleans, we understand that aesthetics can make or break a room, so we transform your existing garage floor system into a work of art using your choice of color flakes and epoxy coating. Our flooring options also take into account your style, needs, and the vision that you want to achieve for your garage floor to look integrated with the design of your home. If you’re aiming for a fast, beautiful, and durable fix, Sundek’s SunOne Polyaspartic coating system can be installed in a day with rapid curing and without the need to wait for perfect weather conditions for application.

Since garage floors go through a lot of wear and tear due to the frequent exposure to environmental conditions, spills, other heavy tool activities, and dirty work done in the garage, you would want to make sure that beauty isn’t the only thing that it possesses. The floors have to be capable of handling the usual messes that garage floors are faced with, and they shouldn’t be difficult to clean. It also helps to have a garage floor that won’t stain when spilled with oil or other liquids. Sundek addresses that by providing efficient and low-maintenance garage floor systems that make it easy for you to clean up dirt, grime, and spills. Our dedication to providing you only the best-quality floors should be enough for you to choose Sundek of New Orleans when getting your new garage floor system.

Stained Concrete Floors

Stained concrete floors are a low-maintenance alternative to other types of flooring, such as carpets and hardwood floors. A concrete floor is more durable than other types of flooring since it doesn’t easily scratch and can handle heavy equipment. Maintenance needed to keep the floor polished is minimal, and the designs are versatile and can accommodate different kinds of stains, depending on the taste of the home or business owner. In New Orleans, acid stained concrete can be a good functional and decorative option for those who want a sustainable yet stylish floor.

Checking Concrete Compatibility

Before acid staining, we make sure the concrete floor is in good condition for the type of stain to be applied. Floors that have been waterproofed will be resistant to the stain and reaction cannot occur, so checking the floor before attempting to do acid staining is crucial. The water test should be sufficient to know if a surface has been treated with waterproofing agents. Simply pour some water on the surface, and if the liquid is not absorbed and beads form, then the concrete has most likely been treated with waterproofing agents.

Preparing the Surface

Once we’ve checked that the floor can be stained with an acid base, then proper preparation begins. When using acid stains on concrete, such as Sundek’s SunStain SunAcid Reactive Stain, power-washing the area to be stained is the primary step to remove dirt and all possible contaminants that the concrete has on its surface. The area must be allowed to dry out completely afterward until there is no sign of water or moisture left.

Staining the Concrete

Application of Sundek’s SunAcid comes next, and the reaction is given at least two hours to settle. After the concrete is allowed to react with the acid, the stain has to be neutralized. A neutralizing solution, usually part water and part ammonia, is applied to the surface, washing away the stain residue. Fully neutralizing an area may take more than one scrubbing to take away the residue, especially if a darker stain color was applied and if the stain was left on for a longer period.

Finishing

Once the stain has been neutralized and the floor is ready for finishing, a proper sealer should be applied. To enhance protection of the newly stained floor, Sundek’s Crystal Clear solvent base sealer can be used. It is also used to improve the appearance of the acid stained floor and make sure that the stain stays on.