Concrete Overlays

An overlay system is a surfacing solution for remodelling a space without demolition. A concrete overlay is any such system that can specifically be installed on top of concrete.

Concrete overlay systems usually consist of sand, cement, liquid polymer and colour pigment all mixed together. We specialise in microcement, a 3mm coating that’s applied by hand on top of the existing slab — as well as a range of other substrates.

While most traditional overlay systems can only go over concrete, our X-Bond Microcement overlay can also be applied over tiles, compressed sheeting, plaster, villa board, brick, ply, laminate and MDF. This gives renovators and new home builders even more options for their project.

One of the main reasons you might need a concrete overlay it for repairs and maintenance, most commonly if the existing concrete is visibly damaged with major cracking and chips.

You might also want to remodel your concrete for aesthetic reasons, such as discolouration.

While concrete overlays like microcement aren’t as strong as a concrete slab, this is actually a good thing.

X-Bond Microcement is thinner and more flexible than concrete, which means it’s actually less prone to settlement cracks. It also opens up the possibility for more intricate applications.

X-Bond is also very strong and durable despite its minimal thickness. It’s suitable for internal and external areas, plus foot traffic and vehicular traffic. This has a lot to do with the sealer used to finish the concrete overlay system. Our installers use an industrial strength sealer called ‘Satin Stone’, which is a water-based formula created for residential and commercial applications.

Longevity depends on the quality of the product, the sealer, and the skill of the installers.

X-Bond is one of the most advanced concrete overlay systems on the market today. Developed by a team of surface engineers in the United States in 19991, X-Bond is flexible yet strong and has been successfully installed to floors in residential and commercial projects for over 25 years. Having supplied X-Bond to Australian professionals and overseeing their training since 1999, we can guarantee that our product and installers tick all the boxes.

An overlay system is only as good as the substrate it’s being applied over. If your existing concrete slab is unstable, movement can transfer through to your overlay by way of hairline cracks.

To avoid cracking, we apply an anti-fracture membrane to the substrate to prepare for X-Bond overlays. This advanced protective membrane will minimise the risk of cracks.

Yes, you can install a concrete overlay system over cracked concrete. For these projects, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• In some instances, the cracks may appear through the new overlay system. There are many different overlays on the market, and not all of them will hold up to the task like a durable, quality overlay like X-Bond Microcement with decades of experience on the market.

• If there is extensive cracking or existing expansion joints, a saw cut or profile should be placed in these areas to allow for movement. This just means your microcement flooring might not appear as one continuous, seamless coating.

• As mentioned, an anti-fracture membrane may be used to mask and stabilise any existing cracks. Learn more about how the anti-fracture membranes work.

Our X-Bond Microcement concrete overlay system can only be purchased or installed by a professional installer, to ensure it’s a quality product that will last a lifetime.

For X-Bond, it usually takes 24 hours after the last coat of sealer for the surface to be ready for use without any type of protection. The product will still be curing for a total of 7 days after sealing, however, so take care. We recommend walking with socks as well as withholding from any heavy traffic or usage.