Answer: A concrete overlay is a thin color concrete cement based products that go over existing concrete for repair or decorative reasons. Overlays can be applied as thin as a feather finish up to in most cases 3/4″ depending on the desired finish. Concrete overlays, however, are only as good as the substrate it is being applied to. Example, if the concrete is cracked or coming up, the overlay will also break and come up and replace the concrete should be your option.
There are ways to strengthen or treat existing concrete, however, because the ground moves depending on weather conditions, and moisture, there are never any guarantees the overlay will delaminate or crack. Surface preparation and crack repair to essential for a concrete overlay to last at a lower cost.

Broom Finish Overlay – SureBroom is a single component (just add water) cementitious coating that can be applied via trowel, squeegee, or sprayed. SureBroom is designed for leveling and re-texturing both interior and exterior concrete surfaces. When broomed, it creates a texture that resembles freshly poured and broomed concrete.
Typical areas include parking decks, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots or any horizontal concrete surface requiring repair of spalled areas, low spots, etc. SureBroom is applied with a base coat using squeegees and then broomed. When used properly the newly broom surface creates a slip-resistant finish that is ready to be sealed to protect against staining.
SureBroom is suitable for heavily trafficked areas and is formulated to provide excellent bonding to new as well as existing concrete surfaces including freeze-thaw climates.
Concrete slabs are not installed with the mindset of it being a finished floor. These type of surfaces can include driveways, walkways, basements, pool decks and patios, and storefront entryways. Regardless whether they are outside or inside the home or building, every concrete floor can be upgraded to a finished floor through the use of concrete overlays.
Decorative horizontal concrete overlays come in options such as white or gray cement, self-bonding or dual component, and how thin or thick they can be applied. How should you choose which type to use is not complicated, start by selecting which cement color is best for your project. White concrete overlays allow for brighter and more vibrant color palates, and gray will allow for richer and deeper color.
Next, you need to understand what kind of texture you need. Overlays have the ability to be as thin as a business card or thick enough to create an impression with 3-D visualization. Installing the appropriate texture is made easier when you choose the concrete overlay made with that purpose.
Single component versus dual component seems to be a personal preference rather than one better than another. Dual element overlays start by applying Primer acts as the bond of the original concrete surface to the newly applied horizontal overlay. Through this process, you have a strong chemical bond only. Single components are different in that they give a mechanical and chemical bond to the surface.
This is accomplished through the use of dry polymers, activated by water during mixing, and a fine aggregate. This combination acts as hooks in the pores of the concrete surface giving the highest bond strength available.
Polymer cement overlays are used for interior and exterior applications ranging from:
•Skim coat/broom finish concrete is resurfacing – Restore and protect damaged, pitted, flaking and stained concrete back to the look of a new concrete surface. See our Sure Broom product for more information.
•Concrete regrading & leveling – Repair and level concrete surfaces that have settled. Check out our Flash Patch and Deep Level products for these applications
•Existing substrate is redecorating and renovating – Alter the appearance of existing concrete or wood substrates through applying “thin stamped” or “thin stained” overlays, creating new textures, colors, and designs. For use on a commercial or resident pool deck, this frequently takes the form of “splatter textures” or “knockdowns,” in which polymer cement is applied to the existing concrete substrate in a moderately textured finish (average of 1/8” thickness) in various patterns.
Often, the texture is knocked down with a trowel to slightly modify the appearance and feel of the finished application before a stamped pattern can be applied.

These overlays help protect the wall surface without compromising the look. Generally speaking, vertical overlays differ from horizontal overlays due to reducing the weight of the material so that it can hang on the wall without sagging. Vertical concrete overlays do not have to be used on just concrete. Other surfaces can include drywall, foam, ICF, block, brick, plywood, Glass, and other building materials. Depending on the surface, additional products may be necessary for adhesion, moisture intrusion, and strength.