FAQs

Q. What exactly is concrete resurfacing?
Concrete resurfacing is just what it sounds like. Rather than replacing all of the concrete, the top layer is prepared, minor cracks are repaired if needed, and a new surface is added using a resurfacer. Though resurfacer looks and acts like normal concrete, it is not the exact same. Instead, it features special bonding agents that allow it to form a connection with the existing concrete, creating a strong, cohesive floor.
‍
‍Q. What does resurfaced concrete look like?
‍A resurfaced concrete floor looks virtually identical to a brand-new concrete. This is in contrast to spot repaired concrete which typically shows repair spots or blemishes. The resurfacing material can be finished with a smooth or textured appearance. It can also be colored a number of different ways.

‍Q. Is my concrete eligible for resurfacing?
‍There are a number of factors that can play into whether or not resurfacing is a good choice for you. If the structural integrity of the underlaying concrete has been compromised showing signs of cracking or displacement, replacement might be the best choice.
‍
‍Q. When can I have my concrete resurfaced?  
‍Resurfacing concrete is best done when temperatures are above 50 and dry conditions for the following 24 hours.

‍Q. How much does resurfacing cost?
‍This varies depending on the size and current condition of your concrete surface. You can expect it to be about a third of the cost of replacement.

‍Q. How long does it last?
‍Thanks to its advanced bonding properties, concrete resurfacing can last for quite a while. A properly resurfaced floor can last from 8-15 years.

‍Q. Can I resurface my own concrete?
‍While you can purchase resurfacer at your local hardware store, we would not recommend it. The concrete must be treated properly before the resurfacer is added, or it won’t last. Also, the resurfacer needs to be applied correctly. The process of concrete resurfacing requires commercial grade tools and a professional touch.

‍Q. Can Stain and Special finishes be used with concrete resurfacing?
‍Yes. Just like with a normal concrete floor, you can stain, score, texture or polish resurfaced concrete to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind look.

Q. How long can a professional epoxy flooring system really last?
The longevity of epoxy flooring depends on three important factors: the quality of the epoxy product, how well the concrete surface is prepared before installation, and proper conditions for optimal curing. Professionally installed epoxy floor coatings can last 20-25 years in a residential or low-demand setting, including a garage, with a new topcoat applied occasionally. In a commercial or industrial setting, epoxy flooring can last anywhere from 8 to 15 years without delaminating, staining, or breaking down.

Q. Are epoxy floors suitable for commercial settings?
Epoxy flooring was designed for all types of commercial applications with unique commercial epoxy flooring formulations to fit the needs of your facility. It can also be installed with minimal downtime at your facility. Professional epoxy can withstand even extreme conditions and the wear and tear of a commercial property such as: Forklifts, heavy machinery, chemical spills, moisture (to a certain degree), frequent foot and vehicular traffic.

Q. Are epoxy coatings appropriate for residential settings?
Absolutely! While initially designed for commercial and industrial applications, epoxy coatings are growing in popularity for residential use, especially due to a wide variety of decorative options. Epoxy flooring is a practical and durable solution for a garage, basement, or even main floor living areas. With its reflective surface, epoxy coatings make a dark basement or garage seem larger with better visibility. With a huge range of decorative options, it’s even beautiful enough for living areas.

Q. Where can you install epoxy flooring?
One of the benefits of professional epoxy concrete coatings? Versatility. This nonporous, robust floor system can be installed in almost any residential, commercial or industrial setting and withstand even harsh environments. The properties of epoxy flooring make it well-suited for:
‍
Wet rooms like public restrooms, shower floors, and locker rooms
Breweries and distilleries
Medical facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals, physician offices, and veterinarian practices
Auto body shops
Commercial kitchens, restaurants, and food processing plants
Factories and warehouses
Residential garages and basements

Q. Why should I consider garage floor epoxy?
Garage epoxy is a  practical choice for garage floors because it stops concrete dusting and delivers a nice clean / bright, nonporous, and low-care floor that can last decades. Our garage epoxy coatings resist all types of damage, including hot tire pick up, gas and oil spills, road salt and normal garage activities. You can choose from many design options to transform your garage into a clean, attractive space to work on your car and hobbies or just store your belongings.

Q. What are the main types of epoxy flooring?
100% solids epoxy: This is an extremely robust type of epoxy flooring suitable for residential and commercial settings. 100% solids epoxy can withstand heavy-duty abuse for up to 20 years and cure into a solid, seamless surface up to 2 mm thick to 50 mm thick.
‍Water-based epoxy: While suitable for some settings, water-based epoxy is usually used as a sealer because it spreads thinly and is mostly absorbed by the concrete surface.
Epoxy mortar flooring: This type of epoxy coating includes ground quartz and it’s suitable for even heavy-duty industrial settings with excellent resistance to chemicals and impact.
Quartz epoxy: This epoxy formulation includes colored quartz granules to create a decorative surface that’s very resilient.Anti-static epoxy. This formulation has a conductive compound to hold static electricity. It’s used in battery rooms and areas with flammable materials and sensitive electronics.
Flake flooring: This formulation includes colored epoxy flakes that add a subtle design and skid-resistant texture to the floor system.
Metallic epoxy: Metallic epoxy floor systems incorporate metallic pigments that are agitated to create a 3D and pearlescent effect.

Q. Is an epoxy concrete floor slippery?
While an epoxy floor coating looks very slippery thanks to its seamless, high-gloss surface, it has similar skid-resistance as a basketball court when clean and dry. We can add skid-resistant additives to your epoxy flooring for even greater slip resistance and safety in areas prone to moisture such as a garage.

Q. What type of maintenance does epoxy flooring require?
Epoxy flooring requires minimal maintenance to keep it looking and performing its best. The floor should be swept regularly to remove grit that can become embedded in the floor over time. As needed, mop the surface with a cleaning product that is non acidic as this can take the gloss off the surface. Avoid soap-based cleaners because they can leave a slippery soap buildup on the surface. The best choice is a neutral PH floor cleaning concentrate which can be found at most hoe improvement center or online.
‍

Classic Concrete Design offers custom designs and emblems as featured in our creative portfolio. We welcome your custom project!

Q. What is the process for concrete polishing?
Concrete polishing is a delicate and systematic process that should be conducted by a professional. There are many steps involved to process a concrete.
‍
- First, the floor is inspected to determine the quality and hardness of the concrete. This will determine the approach and process required to achieve most favorable results. In some cases the concrete may be too soft or wavy to properly polish.
- Fixing any cracks, stains, chips, or holes is the next step in the concrete polishing process.
- Next, we start the initial griding phase followed by honing, densifying then polishing to the desired sheen level.

Q. How long can a polished concrete floor last?
Polished concrete floors can last for a number of years depending on the environment that they are in. Meaning, a floor in an industrial setting will have a different lifespan than one in a residential setting.  However, on average a polished concrete floor will last well over 20 years.

Q. What are the benefits of polished concrete floors? 
Polished concrete floors offer many benefits. Below are some but not all of the incredible qualities your floors will possess when you decide to polish your concrete:
‍
- Resistance is an important quality for high foot-traffic areas. Polished concrete provides a durable surface that is best in resisting abrasion as well as, slip and water resistant.
- Water-resistance is a special and important quality when you have concrete floors because concrete is naturally a very porous substance. When concrete is unprotected, it will absorb any and all water that is spilled onto it; therefore, your floors will become breeding grounds for mold and mildew. A polished surface closes off the pours not allowing water to penetrate.
- The lifespan of your polished concrete floors is well into the double-digit decades because it is impervious to everyday damage that would otherwise cause a need for constant maintenance. In industrial settings, polished concrete is popular because not even heavy machinery cause wear and tear quickly.
- Affordability is another popular reason for polished concrete floors; these floors become a low cost alternative to other flooring options saving time and money due to their low maintenance demand.
‍
Q. What kind of maintenance is associated with polished concrete floors?
Maintenance for a polished concrete floor is very little when compared to other floors like wood or marble, who require treatments and deep cleans to be kept beautiful and strong. Maintenance for polished concrete is:
‍
- Dust, sweep, and mop on a regular basis to remove any harmful debris that may be lurking on your concretes surface.
- Wet soft mopping is always encouraged with polished concrete floors. A swiffer or the like is a great option.
- When wet cleaning, use cleaners that are not acidic and do not contain soap to avoid the chemicals dulling your polished concrete. Soapy substances will leave streak marks on your concretes surface, leaving them looking unclean and dulling their shine.
- A vacuum with wide floor nozzle can speed cleaning operations.
- Do not use and  abrasive pads or metal type scrapers to clean the surface.

Q. Can concrete polishing remove oil stains?
Depending on type of stain we can sometimes pretreat the surface prior to polishing. I some cases there is a faint blemish that cannot be removed.

Q. Why should I polish my concrete?
Polishing your concrete has many benefits, as the questions above just answered, but in summary, polishing your concrete guarantees a long-lasting, durable, low maintenance floor that will last for years. These floors are resistant to problems that other floors face on a daily basis: for example, a wood floor is easily damaged with abrasion, kids, dogs and everyday living. A polished concrete floor will outlast most other floor coverings and more affordable from beginning to end. Polished concrete offers a budget-friendly,  long-term solution.

Q. Can you add color to a polished concrete floor?
We can add color and patterns to customize any polished floor.

Q. Can you polish a damaged concrete floor?
In most cases, a damaged concrete floor can be polished to achieve a durable functional surface. Aesthetically, it will not look as refined as a new concrete floor or an older floor in great condition.

Q. Can all concrete be polished?
All concrete floors have unique and specific issues that must be addressed prior to polishing. Determining whether your concrete can be polished is one of the top reasons why a professional should be called to assess your situation.

We primarily use COOL! from Encore Coatings in our pool deck resurfacing projects. These FAQs pertain to the COOL! coating.

Q. What makes COOL! different from other pool coatings?
Perhaps the biggest difference is the fact that Cool™ doesn’t rely on a textured profile to stay cool.  Instead, Cool™ relies on its unique formulation.  Most pool deck coatings fall into a category called “profile” coatings. Profile coatings rely on their profile of crevices and cavities to reduce the surface area that your feet come into contact with.  Not only do profile coatings get hot, they chip, they require lots of maintenance, and they’re very hard to keep clean. Cool™ is a polar opposite of these coatings – and that’s why pool owners love Cool™.

Q. Are there other coatings like COOL! on the market?
No. Cool™ is unique because it’s everything we want in a pool coating. It’s environmentally-friendly.  It can repair damaged concrete.  It’s available in any color. It’s safe (ADA compliant). It’s comfortable.  It’s sanitary.  It’s easy to clean.  It stays cool.  It’s the most affordable pool deck coating on the market and, at the end of the day, it’s backed by the best warranty in the business.  So, no.  No other coating on the market compares to Cool™.

Q. If my pool already has a knock-down finish, can I apply COOL! over it?
Yes.  Cool’s state-of-the-art technology makes an excellent overlayment for knock-down finishes. Knock-down finishes often lose their ability to cool after they’ve been resurfaced, making them a “one-generation” solution in terms of heat abatement.  Cool™ is the only known overlayment for knock-down finishes that continues to keep the surface cool, changing knock-down finishes from a one-generation to a multi-generational solution.

Q. When can I begin using my deck again?
We recommend 48 hours of good weather before using the deck. This allows the products to properly cure. Furniture can be placed on the surface at this time, but we recommend not dragging heavy items and making sure the feet of furniture or other items have some kind of plastic protector to avoid scarring and abrasion.

Q. How do I maintain my new pool deck?
A mild detergent and push broom can be used or COOL! Can be lightly pressure washed also. Re-apply clear sealer every 3-5 years depending on conditions, UV exposure and foot traffic.

Q. Why do people choose stained concrete?
Stained concrete appeals to many people who want to achieve unique colored concrete floor. Stain can be used to create an infinite array of colors and special effects on both interior and exterior surfaces. Concrete stain does more than simply add color. Rather than produce a solid, opaque effect like paint or colored coatings, stains permeate the concrete to infuse it with rich, deep, translucent tones. Some stain verbiage will use adjectives such as "antiqued," "variegated," or "mottled" to describe the distinctive look. Even when treated with the same staining product in the same shade, no two concrete floors or walls will look alike due to factors such as the composition and age of the concrete and surface porosity.
‍
Q. Can all concrete be stained?
Both acid and water-based stains can be applied to new or old and plain or integrally-colored concrete. They can also be used both indoors and out, on everything from concrete floors to pool decks, patios and driveways. The most important consideration is the condition of the surface. If the concrete is covered by grime, glues, paint, coatings, curing membranes or sealers that inhibit the stain from soaking in, the stain won't be able to penetrate and achieve full color development.

Q. What are my color options?
Classic Concrete Design offers several vibrant stain colors to choose from. The options are only limited by your imagination.

Q. How do I choose the right stain color?
Color choice is often dictated by personal preference or by a desire to match or complement an existing color scheme, such as staining a concrete floor to mirror the same tones as a paint color on a wall, or the stone on a fireplace. Because stain color is permanent, many homeowners opt for neutral tones, such as golden-tans, browns, grays and greens. As part of the service, CCD performs color samples on site to ensure customer satisfaction.

Q. What special effects are possible with stained concrete?
Depending on the color and application techniques used, stained concrete can be applied to achieve almost any look you desire; it can provide a lot of color/texture variation, have a consistent monochromatic design or anything in between.

Q. What are the differences between acid stains and water-based stains?
Acid-based concrete stains are made up of inorganic metallic salts dissolved in an acid and water solution. They penetrate into the surface and react chemically with the concrete to form a permanent bond. The color they impart is translucent rather than opaque, resulting in deep, rich tones and attractive marbling effects. Non-reactive water-based stains (typically a blend of acrylic polymers and pigments) fill the pores of the concrete surface to produce a colored film or coating to give a vibrant translucent finish. The key difference is that no chemical reaction takes place, so the color is more consistent. These products are also low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and safer to apply because they are free of solvents and acids.

Q. How much does stained concrete cost?
The cost of staining will vary considerably depending on the complexity of the stain application, surface prep requirements, and the size of the project.

Q. Does stained concrete fade?
Because stains penetrate into the concrete surface, their color is durable and long-lasting. When applied to properly prepared concrete, the color will not fade, chip, or peel away.

Q. How do I maintain stained concrete?
Although concrete stain is permanent and won't flake off like paint, it penetrates only the top layer of the concrete surface and will eventually wear away as the surface is worn by traffic or weather exposure. To prolong stain life, the clear coat should be reapplied periodically depending on traffic volume. To keep your stained concrete looking its best, you will also need to clean it periodically by dry dust mopping and occasional wet mopping with a neutral-pH cleaner.‍

Q. Where can I put stamped concrete?
Stamped concrete can be installed in patios, pool decks, driveway, walkways, courtyards, entranceways and most residential and commercial locations.

Q. Will the color fade?
Classic Concrete Design utilizes the finest pigments available, in most instances integrally coloring the entire slab. This process allows for better color longevity and minimal fading. In conjunction with our sealers, it will provide many years of low maintenance.
What are the advantages of stamped concrete over other materials?
Reduced long-term maintenance and care, increased longevity, and increased property value.

Q. Can you prevent cracks?
We do everything possible by industry standards, to prevent cracks. This includes the proper sub-grade preparation to cutting the control joints in the correct locations. We cannot guarantee that a crack will not form over time, but the durability as compared to other alternatives is incredible.

Q. What patterns are available?
We offer hundreds of pattern options to choose from. Classic Concrete Design's continuing development of colors and designs allows us to work hand-in-hand with our customers to create an end product that complements your surroundings.

Q. How thick is stamped concrete?
Our standard slab is a minimum of four inches. Some situations will require us to pour six inches of concrete, and this would be discussed before the project takes place.

Q. Can it go over existing concrete?
Yes, under certain circumstances it will require us to cap or pour over existing concrete.

Q. Can I drive on stamped concrete?
Yes, you can drive on stamped concrete. We recommend waiting three to seven days of cure time after new concrete is placed before vehicles are allowed to drive on it.