Microtoppings, also known as skim coats are cement based coatings that provide a blank canvas for decorative applications, both skim coats can be applied both inside and outside of the building. Decorative applications that may be used with microtoppings can be anything from stains to dyes to stenciled patterns or more. Microtoppings can be custom tinted or some systems come pretinted in a wide variety of colors. For custom tinting, a liquid coloring agent is added to the microtopping cement in the desired amount. You can also add layers of different colors to achieve an interesting look.
Some popular applications for microtoppings include, but are not limited to, adding texture, adding color, adding slip resistant surfaces to patios and pool decks, and giving existing concrete decorative facelift.
To install microtoppings you will need some tools. Depending on the desired appearance, trowels, brushes, squeegees, or rollers can be used to easily apply the coating. The mircrotopping can be applied in layers as little as .02 inch or 20 millimeters. You can add multiple coats to produce a textured trowel or broom finish. It is very important that the surface is prepared properly and the coating is applied at the correct thickness or the job may be unsuccessful. Once the microtopping has been properly applied it can be colored topically with dyes or stains.
Preparing the surface of the concrete for microtoppings can be very time consuming and may be overlooked by some contractors or may not be done properly. If this step is skipped, it’s likely that the job will not hold. A rule of thumb is that the thicker the topping or overlay, the more aggressive the profile should be. So for our topic of microtoppings/skim coats a light concrete surface profile or two to four may be required. For thicker overlays such as polymer or self leveling overlays the concrete surface profile should be from four to six. If you are working with thicker overlays the concrete often is prepared by scarifying or shotblasting the surface prior to application.
There are so many creative and custom options for finishing concrete, but first and foremost important is the concrete itself. At Custom Concrete Creations we have state of the art equipment and a properly trained team with years of experience. Custom Concrete Creations is a premier contractor serving the Omaha area as well at the Midwest. Give us a call or send us an email for your custom concrete finishing needs today!