FAQ's

Here are some of our frequently asked questions.

1. What is a concrete coating?
   Concrete coatings allow you to resurface an area such as a pool deck, patio, garage floor or other concrete surface without removing and replacing the concrete. It’s a beautiful alternative that saves you time and money while also reducing strain on the environment.
2. What is SUNDEK?
   SUNDEK is the manufacturer of the acrylic decorative concrete coatings we use at SUNDEK of Houston. It’s designed to beautify old or new concrete surfaces.
3. How thick is SUNDEK?
   SUNDEK is slightly thinner than two quarters stacked on top of each other. However, Sundek can also be used as a blending tool to feather uneven surfaces up to 2 inches deep.
4. How are the coatings applied?
   SUNDEK is a multi-layered product that is applied by factory-trained professionals. Depending on the surface conditions and patterns chosen, there will be four to eight layers of material applied to the concrete surface.
5. What does it look like?
   You get to decide! There are a variety of patterns and colors and textures including tile, masonry brick, flagstone and more.
6. Are concrete coatings slippery?
   With our semi-smooth finishes, you can safely walk on our concrete coatings without the concern of a slick surface. Even when applying our shiniest finishes, we make safety a priority.
7. What colors are available?
   Every finish has a series of colors that you can choose from—there's something for everyone's taste and decor. You don't have to choose just one color. We can apply multiple colors to get just the right look.
8. How long does it take to resurface concrete?
   The time it will take depends on the surface's size, condition, design plan, and weather. A typical installation takes approximately two to eight clear, dry days.
9. How do you treat control or expansion joints?
   We maintain all existing control joints to allow for expansion and contraction of the concrete. We apply the SUNDEK finish coat to expansion joints to match the deck color and replace worn-out expansion joints.
10. Is a SUNDEK surface cool enough to walk on when it's hot out?
    Yes. SUNDEK coatings is cooler than typical gray concrete, exposed aggregate, pavers, tile, and even epoxy rock applications.
11. Will pool water stain my concrete coating?
    No. The standard SUNDEK classic texture and masonry effects have two layers of an acrylic finish coat. These acrylic finishes provide a durable non-porous surface which make it stain resistant and easy to maintain.
12. Will the color fade?
    No. We integrate colors into the finish, so it is not susceptible to fading.
13. Can you correct drainage and low spots?
    When customers notify us of low spots they want resolved, we attempt to change the pitch to move the low spot somewhere else or make it twice as wide and half as deep so the sun will dry it up quicker. Because the SUNDEK Finish Coat is non-porous your surface will not soak up water like concrete.
14. How do you treat cracks in concrete prior to the SUNDEK application?
    Most cracks are filled with urethane. Hairline and shrinkage cracks require no additional treatment. Read more about SUNDEK's approach to repairing cracks.
15. Will the cracks reoccur?
    Though we do everything we can to treat concrete cracks, they may return due to the nature of concrete. If they do, it is usually in the form of a hairline crack which is typically hidden in the texture. However, if a crack becomes bothersome to you, we will be happy to repair the crack for you for a nominal service charge. Another option is for us to do our Custom Scoreline Effect technique on your surface. With this technique, we incorporate the cracks into the design of your surface.
16. What if something happens to my deck after the warranty expires?
    Extended warranties are available. Please ask us for additional details.
17. Can you apply a coating over painted concrete?
    No, the concrete must be free of paint so the SUNDEK coatings can adhere to the original concrete surface. We always properly prepare a surface before we apply the coating.
18. Can the concrete coating be applied to steps?
    Yes. SUNDEK coatings can be applied to concrete steps including risers and treads.
19. Can SUNDEK be applied to walls or other vertical surfaces?
    Yes. SUNDEK can be applied to vertical surfaces. SUNDEK can be applied on exterior and interior walls ranging from retaining walls to buildings.
20. Do you apply the material to cantilever faces and coping stones?
    Yes. Even though the application over coping stones is a matter of personal preference, it is often advisable to coat them unless they are exceptionally new. (The stones are porous like concrete). If not surfaced, the coping will tend to look old and dirty after the SUNDEK installation is complete. Additionally, you can add our brick patterns to copings and cantilevers at a fraction of the cost of real pavers.
21. Can you contrast the color of the coping stones from the rest of the deck?
    Yes. We have a variety of elegant colors to choose from, and you're not limited to just one.
22. How do I clean my SUNDEK surface?
    There are some products made just for cleaning the SUNDEK concrete surfaces. Read more about maintaining a SUNDEK surface.