Cementitious Overlays

Cementitious overlays are thin, polymer-modified or cement-based toppings that transform, repair, or enhance existing surfaces—whether concrete, wood subfloors, or damaged slabs. These durable, customizable materials provide a seamless, professional finish at a fraction of the cost of full replacement, making them a go-to for resurfacing in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

1. Polishable Cementitious Overlays (for True Polished Concrete Looks)

When existing concrete is damaged, stained, inconsistent, or lacks the proper aggregate exposure, polishable cementitious overlays (often self-leveling or trowelable toppings such as LATICRETE NXT Level, CTS Rapid Set, or similar products) create a fresh, uniform base ready for diamond grinding, honing, and polishing.

• How it works: Applied in thicknesses from 1/8" to 3/8" (or more), these overlays bond to prepared concrete, self-level for smoothness, and can incorporate integral colors, aggregates, or dyes. After curing, they're ground progressively (starting coarse and finishing at high grits like 800–3000+), densified, and polished to achieve a high-gloss, marble-like shine with exposed aggregate sparkle.
• Benefits: Fixes imperfections in old slabs, allows for custom aesthetics (including dyed midway for translucent color), offers superior durability as a wear surface, and provides a low-maintenance, dust-proof floor. It's a faster, more consistent alternative to polishing original concrete alone.
• Ideal for: Showrooms, retail spaces, high-traffic interiors, or anywhere a premium polished concrete look is desired without major slab replacement.

2. Skim Coat Overlays (for Wood Subfloors Before Epoxy/Resinous Systems)

For wood subfloors (plywood, OSB, or tongue-and-groove), a thin cementitious skim coat or micro-topping creates a stable, rigid base compatible with epoxy, polyaspartic, or other resinous coatings—preventing flex, telegraphing joints, or failures.

• How it works: After priming the wood (often with flexible epoxy primer), filling seams/cracks (with tape/filler), and applying a bonding layer, a polymer-modified cementitious skim coat (e.g., micro-toppings or thin overlays) is troweled or sprayed on in layers as thin as 1/8" total. This hardens into a concrete-like surface that bridges gaps and provides a smooth, non-flexing substrate.
• Benefits: Eliminates wood movement issues, allows seamless epoxy application (metallic, flake, etc.), adds fire resistance and stability, and works indoors/outdoors or vertically. It's a bridge between flexible wood and rigid resinous finishes.
• Ideal for: Basements, garages, sheds, additions, or any wood-to-epoxy conversion where a true concrete feel and longevity are needed without ripping out the subfloor.

3. Cement-All for Patching (Rapid-Set Repair Before Coatings)

Before any overlay, coating, or polishing, proper patching ensures a level, sound surface. Rapid Set Cement-All (from CTS Cement) is a high-performance, multi-purpose repair material that excels here.

• How it works: Just add water—sets in 15 minutes, reaches structural strength in 1 hour. Applies from featheredge (near-zero thickness) up to 4" thick (or 6" in some vertical/form applications with proper support). Use for filling cracks, holes, spalls, low spots, or creating smooth transitions.
• Benefits: Fast turnaround (no long cure waits), durable in wet environments, non-shrink, and bonds exceptionally well. The featheredge capability (down to razor-thin edges without crumbling) makes it perfect for seamless prep under coatings or overlays—no visible ridges or weak spots.
• Ideal for: Pre-coating repairs on concrete floors, ramps, steps, or anywhere quick, strong patches are needed before epoxy, urethane, or polished systems.

Why Cementitious Overlays Shine Overall

These systems are versatile, cost-effective, and long-lasting—restoring damaged surfaces, enabling creative finishes (polished, dyed, textured), or prepping tricky substrates like wood. They bond permanently, resist wear/chemicals, and minimize downtime compared to tear-outs. Whether you're chasing a high-end polished look, converting wood to epoxy-ready, or just patching for a flawless base, cementitious overlays deliver professional results with practical application.

If you're planning a floor project, we can help select the right overlay, skim coat, or patching product (like Cement-All) tailored to your surface and goals. Contact us for a free consult—we'll assess your slab/wood and recommend the best path forward!

These are just a few of the clients we work with.