How Micro-Topping Can Transform Concrete Flooring
The benefits of polished concrete floors in homes are obvious: it’s a cheaper option than marble, but it’s elegant and highly customizable. Most homes, however, don’t get the kind of traffic commercial areas do, so the question is: is polished concrete suitable for high-traffic areas? It is when a micro-topping is applied.
What’s a Micro-topping?
A micro-topping is a cement-like product that is normally used as a solution to repair old cracked concrete. Applied to concrete surfaces, it strengthens and reinforces the concrete to render surfaces suitable for high-traffic areas. Applying micro-topping over concrete surfaces will generate a smooth surface and durable finish and improve the performance of the surface several times over so the floor won’t wear out and can withstand very high loads from equipment, foot traffic, and transport.
Some of its benefits include:
- Easy application;
- No requirement for additional additives;
- Superior coverage – even over damaged areas;
- Outstanding bonding over concrete;
- Excellent mold resistance; and
- The ability to seal concrete so its humidity levels remain stable.
How is Micro-topping Applied?
Before the micro-topping is applied, a decorative concrete expert like Elite Concrete Systems will verify that the surface is clean and free of debris. It’s important to remove residues of chemicals, concrete traces or any other chemical that could react on the surface. Elite Concrete will then apply a lithium-based densifier to restore strength to the existing concrete, and later prime the floor with two coats of a two-part moisture-blocking epoxy. Once the epoxy is cured, a scratch coat is applied, and finally, two coats of an integrally colored smooth topping are troweled on. Finally, the floor is sealed with a high-gloss urethane.
What Are the Design Implications of Micro-topping?
Micro-topping material yields an exceptionally smooth, tight-troweled finish that can provide a new “blank canvas” for decorative concrete floors. The result is a clean surface that can then be stamped, colored or textured to look like nearly anything and fit with most design ideas. Call Elite Concrete Systems at 860-307-9499 to discuss your ideas for a polished concrete floor with micro-topping, or visit our website and view our gallery of beautiful polished concrete floors.