Resurfacing Concrete Walkways

SUNDEK of Washington in Chantilly, VA

Concrete sidewalks come in a close second to concrete driveways in the amount of traffic they receive. And just like driveways, they are often treated with deicing salts in the winter. All that wear and tear and chemical abuse can take a toll on the appearance of concrete walkways by causing abrasion, spalling, stains and freeze-thaw damage.

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The good news is that if the damage is superficial, as is often the case, it’s possible to restore and upgrade the appearance of your concrete walkway rather than go through the expense and hassle of replacing it. Resurfacing with a cement-based overlay or microtopping is a cost-effective option for adding a decorative touch to an existing concrete walkway while covering up minor flaws and discoloration. After the overlay is applied to the existing concrete, it can then be stamped, stained, stenciled or engraved to add color or simulate the look of brick, stone, tile or slate.

Before beginning a concrete walkway resurfacing project, be sure to consult a professional to determine if your concrete can be resurfaced successfully. If the concrete slab is settling or is badly cracked, resurfacing may not be a viable option.

Best Coatings for Resurfacing a Walkway

Popular resurfacing products for walkways and sidewalks include:

• Stamped concrete overlays
• Concrete paint
• Skim coats
• Spray texture coatings

Make sure the coating you pick for your walkway is durable, UV-resistant and has good traction. In some cases, resurfacing may not be the only option. See more ways to make a concrete walkway look better.

Concrete Walkway Resurfacing Projects

Flagstone-Patterned Overlay

This concrete walkway and steps were transformed with a colored and patterned overlay. Faux grout lines were created by taping off the flagstone pattern before the overlay was applied.

Adding the Look of Stone and Brick to an Existing Walkway

A polymer overlay with a hand-taped stone pattern and brick border gave this existing concrete entryway new life.

Italian Slate Sidewalk Overlay

This concrete walkway was rejuvenated with a concrete overlay stamped in a seamless Italian Slate pattern and hand painted with water-based antiquing stains.

Slate-Look Walkway Overlay

To replicate the look of inlaid slate, this concrete sidewalk was covered with a gray-colored cement overlay to create the look of a grout base. The slate pattern was delineated with duct tape, and then an acrylic cement topping was applied and hand painted to create a marbling effect.

For more information:
Concrete Resurfacing
Decorative Concrete Overlays
When to Use an Overlay

Rapid Set Skim Coat Repairs, levels, and smooths concrete for applications.

Thin Micro-Topping Produces durable surface to color or stain

Self Leveling Overlay Find the overlay to meet your project's needs

T1000 Stampable Overlay For use with resurfacing concrete floors and hardscapes.

Broom Overlay Mix 6000 PSI Add water and mix - Grey or white

Flooring & Coating System Epoxy Flooring System designed for concrete