Flooring comes in all kinds of types, textures, colors and finishes. The type of floor used is largely a function of where and how it is used. Concrete in garages and driveways, durable and strong; tile in bathrooms, showers, kitchens, delicate and clean; hardwood flooring in living rooms, domestic, inviting, comfortable; stucco or concrete for roof decks and pools, versatile, durable and slip resistant. But no matter the type of floor, they are all prone to wear and tear and at some point need to be replaced or resurfaced. In this guide, we go over the basics of floor resurfacing and direct you to the resources and products offered for each type of floor resurfacing project.
What Is Floor Resurfacing?
Floor resurfacing is a process in which an old, cracked and worn floor is repaired and coated with a micro-cement topping or other cementitious overlay. Floor resurfacing is a cost effective and environmentally friendly way of making old floors new.
Concrete Floor Resurfacing
Concrete is perhaps the most common flooring surface material. Even under hardwood or tile, there is a concrete foundation. In some sense, then, all floors are concrete floors. Exposed concrete floors, like
those found in warehouses, garages, driveways and municipal applications often undergo a lot of use and abuse. Concrete cracking and concrete spalling can be a safety or OSHA lawsuit in the making and stained, cracked and crumbling concrete on driveways and sidewalks can ruin the curb appeal of business and homes.
Concrete resurfacing is an alternative to concrete demolition and removal. The main advantage of concrete resurfacing is that it can repair and resurface concrete flooring or exterior surfaces much cheaper than demolishing, removing and repouring new concrete. Unless your concrete surface is completely crumbling, concrete resurfacing is probably your best choice. Learn more about concrete resurfacing here.
Spalling concrete, a common occurrence in exterior concrete, can be repaired by filling in and resurfacing the concrete.
Hardwood Floor Resurfacing
Hardwood floors are not normally resurfaced. Usually, hardwood floors undergo refinishing. Hardwood refinishing involves sanding off the top layer of hardwood and adding a new top coat of lacquer or other polish. It is a relatively simple fix to relatively simple problems. Hardwood refinishing is perfect if all you have to fix is a few scuff marks.
If, however, your hardwood is really beat up, you may want to resurface it with a concrete based overlay or replace the hardwood, depending on your budget. Hardwood is a rather expensive form of flooring, and many people choose to resurface it instead with a universal flooring solution.
Tile Floor Resurfacing
Tile floor is both decorative and utilitarian. It is great for bathrooms, kitchens and other interior spaces. But because it is often found in heavily trafficked areas, it is prone to wear and tear. Tile resurfacing is a relatively new solution to update old tile. Tile resurfacing, like concrete resurfacing, allows you to update your surface without having to remove the old surface. And also like concrete resurfacing, tile floor resurfacing reduces the cost and labor associated with removing and retiling the floor. Tile resurfacing products adhere at the molecular level to the tile and come in decorative colors and finishes. Learn more about tile resurfacing.
Common Areas That Can Be Resurfaced
Because floor resurfacing is so much cheaper than conventional methods of removal and replacement and because so many people and business are looking to reduce their environmental impact, more and more residential and commercial spaces are potential candidates for resurfacing. From pools to driveways on the exterior, to bathrooms, kitchens, hardwood living room floors and more, special seamless resurfacing materials like Semco provide a cost saving and green flooring solution. Let’s take a look at some common areas that are resurfaced.
Pool And Pool Deck Resurfacing
Pools and pool decks are great candidates for resurfacing. Pools and pool decks are highly susceptible to mold and mildew buildup which can wreck your backyard aesthetic. If you plan on resurfacing your pool deck, make sure to choose a slip resistant or non-slip resurfacing product. If aesthetics is your concern, and you want to decorate your pool deck with colors, textures and finishes that match your design goals, don’t get stuck with a dull concrete color resurfacing material. Make sure the resurfacing solution you choose is easily customizable to your tastes. Learn more about pool resurfacing.
Roof Deck Flooring And Resurfacing
Roof decks take a lot of abuse from the sun. So any concrete resurfacing product that you use to resurface a roof or patio deck needs to be resistant to the damaging effects of UV rays. If you are thinking an epoxy floor is sufficient, think again. Epoxy is not UV resistant and is susceptible to degradation from moisture. Semco roof deck resurfacing systems combine durability and aesthetics to create a seamless and integrated roof deck and patio flooring system that is UV resistant and waterproof.
Garage Floor Resurfacing
Commercial garage floors in car repair shops and municipal and emergency services garages take a lot of wear tear. They often need to be resurfaced or in some cases, if not properly maintained, completely replaced. In order to avoid costly repairs, resurfacing garage floors with a durable and strong resurfacing material is a necessity. The materials used should be able to withstand excess weight. Before resurfacing your commercial garage, ensure that the material used is able to withstand at least 7,000 PSI.
While garage flooring for residential applications does not need to be as durable as that for commercial applications, it should still be resistant to chemical exposure and mild impacts from tools and other large and heavy objects. Learn more about garage floor resurfacing.
Driveway Floor Resurfacing
Driveways are perhaps the most common resurfaced areas. Because they are so highly trafficked and exposed to the elements, they have a tendency to wear down quickly. Before resurfacing your driveway, you need to make sure that the materials are up t o the task. A concrete resurfacing product that is suitable for a sidewalk may not be suitable for a driveway. Driveways, like garages, take a lot of wear and tear and need a resurfacing product that can take weight and stand up to the elements. Learn more about driveway flooring here.
