Decorative Concrete in Springfield IL - a new look on a slab that's sound underneath
Tired, plain gray concrete? I'll tell you whether it can be resurfaced or needs a new pour, then help you choose the finish.
Request an estimate
Should I resurface my old concrete or pour new decorative concrete?
Decorative concrete in Springfield gives a patio, walk or other flat slab a better-looking finish through a new decorative pour, a stain or an overlay that resurfaces the slab you already have. On any job, the first thing I settle is whether your existing slab is sound enough to resurface, because that answer decides everything after it.
Most people who call us have a slab that's dull, stained or patched, or they're planning a new patio and want something better than plain gray. The biggest thing that moves the price is whether we can resurface or have to tear out and pour new. After that it's the size of the area, whether it needs steel reinforcement and how many colors and textures you want, since most of these finishes can be combined on one slab. The schedule turns on that same choice, because an overlay goes onto the slab you have while a new pour needs digging, a packed base and time to cure, and it also depends on the weather and the season. If stamped concrete is what you have in mind, that's part of the same conversation. When I come out, I look at the slab, measure it and write an estimate, so you know exactly what you're paying for before we start.
How we do decorative concrete, from the slab up
I start by deciding whether your slab can be resurfaced or needs to come out, and you get that answer before we talk about finishes. For an overlay, we clean and repair the old slab and prepare the surface so the new layer grips it rather than peeling away. For a new pour, we dig down to firm ground, pack the subgrade, which is the layer the slab sits on, and set the forms so the finished surface sheds water away from your house. We add rebar where the area calls for it, because that steel holds the slab together if it does crack. We pour in the cooler part of the day so the top doesn't dry weak and dusty, then color and texture the surface and cut control joints, shallow grooves that give the concrete a planned place to crack. After that we let it cure, the wait while it gains strength, then seal it and talk with you about resealing over the years. If the budget gets tight, I'd rather simplify the pattern than skimp on the base, because nobody sees the base on the day we finish, yet it's what decides whether your new finish stays flat.
Decorative work often sits beside other concrete. If your patio steps down a slope, concrete retaining walls can hold the ground and be finished to match, and indoors, concrete floor installation gives a basement or shop a slab that can take color or stain later.
Decorative concrete in Springfield near the street and beyond
Work that reaches the street needs a permit before it starts. The city's Office of Public Works issues Excavation Permits, and one has to be in hand before any work begins in the public right-of-way, the strip along the street that belongs to the city. That matters if your decorative driveway runs out to the curb or meets a city sidewalk, since the office's application covers curb cuts and residential driveways, with the city handling the street repair. The same office plans and repairs Springfield's streets, alleys and sidewalks, so it's the office to ask about anything near the curb. We check what the office asks for at your address and take care of the permit paperwork for our work when a permit applies, and if they need something from you as the owner, I'll let you know early.
Around Springfield, a lot of our decorative calls are for patios behind older houses and for front walks that have settled or been patched more than once, so the first job is usually working out what the old slab is doing. We see the same kinds of slabs on jobs in Chatham and Decatur, and if your city isn't listed on this site, please ask about your address.
Decorative concrete finishes up close
Get a decorative concrete estimate at your property
We reply to every call and message within one business day, and estimates are free, done on site and carry no obligation. Once you send the form, we'll set a time for me to come out, look at your slab, measure the area and write up the estimate.
(217) 210-0810Decorative concrete questions from Springfield owners
How much does stamped concrete cost in Springfield, IL?
Stamped concrete patios in Springfield usually cost about $8 to $16 per square foot, and that's the going rate around the area, not a quote from us. A reinforced patio costs more per square foot than one without steel, and tearing out an old patio first adds to the cost. Your own figure comes from the estimate once I've seen the site.
How do I know if my old concrete patio can be resurfaced?
An old slab can take an overlay if it's structurally sound and the new material will bond to it. An overlay renews only the surface, so a slab that's heaving, settling or cracked clean through needs more than a new top. If yours falls into that group, we'll talk about a new pour instead.
How often does stamped concrete need to be resealed?
Stamped concrete gets resealed when it needs it, not after a set number of years, and resealing is the most common upkeep it needs. The signs are water and stains no longer beading off, or the color losing its depth. Penetrating water-repellent sealers keep out water and stains, but most leave the color as it is, so if you want richer color we'll talk through which sealer fits.
When can I put salt on new concrete?
A Michigan concrete trade group advises keeping deicers to a minimum on new concrete until it's a year old. Concrete placed in October or November may not get the 30 days of drying it needs before deicers, so sand is the better choice for traction that first winter. If we pour late in the fall, I'll remind you.
What causes stamped concrete to flake after winter?
Flaking is usually surface scaling, where the top layer comes away, and it's the most common type of frost damage, linked to de-icing salt. That's the main reason to go easy on salt, especially in the first year, as described above.
How long does decorative concrete take to cure?
The industry standard for fully cured concrete is 28 days, though the real time depends on where you are and the time of year. I'll explain how that applies to your slab and the season before we pour, so you can plan around it.
Plan your decorative concrete in Springfield
Call (217) 210-0810 or use the form, and include the size of the area in square feet, a photo of your current slab and a finish you like, so I can come to the estimate with real answers.