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If you’re looking for a new concrete floor coating, you’ll find custom epoxy design ideas here.
MICRO-TOPPINGS: WHAT ARE THEY?
THESE DURABLE, THIN CONCRETE COATINGS CAN BE APPLIED IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.
WHAT IS A MICRO-TOPPING?
Concrete micro-toppings are largely employed in the decorative concrete industry. The main difference between a micro-topping and any other concrete overlay is the thickness. A thin-set topping is normally less than 1/8-inch thick after two to three layers. Each coat is usually about 1/16-inch thick. These ultra-thin coatings are ideal for adding color and texture to both new and old concrete surfaces. Though each coat is quite thin, multiple coats can be applied for a thicker finish in order to create patterns or mimic other surfaces.
RESIDENTIAL APPLICATIONS
These concrete coatings have become immensely popular for residential spaces, both indoors and out. Though they are primarily used to revitalize old, worn concrete surfaces, micro-toppings can be applied over many other surfaces as well. Surfaces such as tile and hardwood can be coated to achieve the look of decorative concrete flooring. These toppings can be used for any interior or exterior surfaces. Popular interior applications include kitchens, living rooms, and basements. Popular exterior applications include patios, pool decks, and walkways. Various patterns and colors can be applied to create unique designs or even replicate other types of flooring. The most popular in the residential sector being hardwood.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Micro-toppings can also be used for many commercial applications. Floors with micro-toppings are excellent solutions for environmentally friendly businesses while remaining highly resistant to mold, mildew, and high volumes of foot traffic. They are surprisingly economical flooring solutions for any business setting. Micro-topped floors have become so widely popular because they provide design flexibility and a remarkably stylish and unique appearance. It’s also possible to install further design features, such as cut lines and logos, for even more of a stunning impression for your company’s brand with these versatile concrete coatings.
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THE INSTALLATION PROCESS
Before the micro-topping can be applied, the surface of the concrete will need to be clean and free of debris. It is important to remove residues from chemicals as well. Once the surface is clean, it will require profiling to ensure proper adhesion of the topping. Micro-toppings are typically applied with trowels, squeegees, brushes, or rollers, depending on the desired look. They can be applied in layers as thin as 20 mils, or several coats can be applied to produce a textured, broomed, or troweled finish. After application, a micro-topping can be colored with concrete stains or dyes.
MICRO-TOPPING COSTS
A thin micro-topping that is applied around an eighth of an inch in thickness can cost anywhere from $3 to $5 per square foot to be installed. If you choose to go with a decorative micro-topping, the cost will depend on the level of detail that is put into the job. You could possibly see prices as high as $15 per square foot when textures, embeds, or saw cuts are incorporated into the design. The size of your project will be a major influencer of the overall cost. Larger projects tend to have lower “per square foot” rates.
INSTALLATION TIMEFRAME
The time it takes to install a micro-topping overlay largely depends on the size of the project and the weather conditions, primarily for outdoor applications, during the time of installation. Your coating should be finished in one to two days. For smaller projects, such as a living room or kitchen, the surface prep, application, and patterns can often be completed in a day. The overlay will need to cure anywhere from one to 12 hours, depending on the number of coats applied. Larger projects may take two days to complete. The surface prep will be accomplished on the first day and application on the second. The curing time remains unchanged.
The Benefits of
Micro-toppings
Applying micro-topping over concrete surfaces comes with many benefits to be enjoyed by homeowners and business owners alike. These thin coatings are surprisingly durable considering their paper-thin thickness. They’re the perfect product for concrete renovations as they have high compressive strength and abrasion resistance. You can use micro-topping to finish the fresh concrete of a new home or commercial business or to restore worn, stained, or damaged concrete.
Fast Application
Micro-topping has the fastest install time of any type of concrete overlay system.
Protective Layer
Despite how thin they are, these toppings provide excellent protection of the concrete base underneath.
Protective Layer
Perfect for areas that may be exposed to moisture, they resist the growth of mold and mildew.
Thin Coating
These versatile coatings can be used in many places other concrete coatings cannot fit due to their thickness.
FEATURES THAT MAKE MICRO-TOPPINGS IDEAL FOR CONCRETE VERSATILITY
The use of micro-toppings is oftentimes favored over thicker stampable overlays when heights are required to be reserved for door openings, room transitions, and floor transitions. As well as when a less costly and more flexible system is wanted over a wide space or broad installation area. They can also be used in various situations from livening up a basement to creating a durable retail store floor. This versatility allows this concrete coating to be an ideal flooring solution for virtually any concrete floor in any type of setting.
COST-EFFICIENCY
These tough concrete coatings don’t only save money in initial installation costs, but also save significant amounts of money in the long run. As they form a durable protective coating over the concrete, you’ll save money on expensive repeat repairs. They also don’t require extra finishing, unless you prefer a specific look, which will also save more money during and after the installation process. Having a concrete coating that is this cost-effective can mean a world of difference in comparison with other surface coating materials. In turn, this makes micro-toppings ideal for concrete surfaces.
SIMPLE MAINTENANCE
Maintaining a delicate flooring system can be a time-consuming, sometimes costly endeavor. With a micro-topping, this is not an issue. These coatings are quite simple to maintain and keep clean. Simple sweeping and mopping regularly, Deep mopping from time to time, and keeping the surface free of piled up debris is practically all you need to keep up with for these floors. Having a concrete floor this easy to maintain will afford homeowners or business owners both the advantage of saving time and money over the years. As a result, this makes micro-toppings ideal for concrete floors.
WHY CHOOSE MICRO-TOPPINGS?
OUR EXPERIENCE AND REPUTATION HAS POSITIONED AS A LEADER AMONG CONCRETE CONTRACTORS
THINNER COATING
Overlays are fairly thin concrete coatings as it is, however, micro-toppings are defined by how thin they are. They are commonly installed between 1/32-inch and 1/8-inch thick. This allows them to be utilized in many spaces that other concrete coatings or types of floors cannot be used. The thin application of this material doesn’t take away from the added benefits of an overlay.
ADHESION
This quality may not seem as important as many of the other benefits of this flooring system, however, the superior adhesiveness of this topping can make all the difference. Micro-toppings boast the greatest performance in bonding to a concrete surface than any other type of overlay or concrete coating. This enhanced property ensures that the new surface and protective benefits of the coating will last as long as possible.
CUSTOMIZATION
The customizable options for this style of concrete coating are essentially limitless. Integral color or topical color applications can be added to the topping to meet specific design schemes. There are numerous patterns that can be applied to this type of coating using stencils or saw cuts. Multiple layers can even be applied to allow for the process of stamping to mimic other types of flooring including tile, natural stone, and hardwood surfaces.
TO SUM EVERYTHING UP
Micro-toppings are the thinnest type of concrete overlay you can apply, even less than an eighth of an inch. They have various uses in residential and commercial applications from kitchens and basements to retail stores and office spaces. They can cost anywhere from $3 to $5 per square foot for basic installation and up to $15 per square foot for more complex designs. The install may take between one and two days to complete, depending on the scope of the project and the incorporation of various design techniques. The versatility, cost-efficientness, and easy maintenance make this concrete coating ideal for any concrete floor.
