Frequently Asked Questions About Decorative Concrete Resurfacing

Stamped concrete is poured or overlaid concrete that’s textured and patterned to mimic natural materials like flagstone, brick, or wood before it cures, then sealed for color and protection. DCR installs stamped concrete using Sundek’s SunStamp overlay system for driveways, patios, and pool decks throughout St. Louis.

Well-installed and properly sealed stamped concrete can last for decades, though the decorative color coat typically needs resealing every few years to maintain its finish and slip resistance. St. Louis’s freeze-thaw winters make routine resealing especially important for longevity.

Yes, a stamped overlay can be applied over structurally sound existing concrete without a full tear-out. DCR evaluates the slab for cracking or settling first and repairs any issues before the overlay is applied.

Like any concrete surface, stamped concrete can crack if the underlying slab shifts or wasn’t properly prepared, but control joints and a sound base minimize this risk. DCR repairs the base slab before stamping to reduce future cracking.

DCR offers a range of Sundek pattern stamps, including flagstone, ashlar slate, and cobblestone, along with integral and accent colors through the SunStamp and SunColor systems. Your estimate will include physical samples to choose from.

Stamped concrete can be just as slip-resistant as any other decorative concrete finish when sealed with a slip-resistant additive, which DCR includes standard on pool deck and walkway projects.

Epoxy flooring is a multi-layer resin coating bonded to a concrete floor that creates a hard, seamless, chemical- and stain-resistant surface commonly used in garages, basements, and commercial spaces.

Cure times vary by product, coating thickness, and temperature. DCR will confirm the exact walk-on and drive-on timelines for your specific coating system at the time of your estimate.

Epoxy coatings are a traditional resin-based floor system, while polyaspartic and polyurea coatings cure faster and tend to resist UV yellowing better. DCR installs both systems depending on your floor’s use and your project timeline.

Yes, epoxy and polyaspartic/polyurea coatings are two of the most common garage floor systems because they resist oil, road salt, and heavy vehicle traffic while staying easy to clean.

Cracks and spalling need to be repaired before an epoxy coating is applied, since the coating will telegraph any unrepaired damage in the slab beneath it. DCR includes crack and spall repair as a standard first step.

Epoxy floors are low-maintenance and generally just need regular sweeping and occasional mopping. They don’t require waxing or resealing the way a bare concrete floor does.

Cool decking refers to specialty pool deck coatings and textures engineered to stay cooler underfoot in direct sun than plain concrete, making them more comfortable for bare feet around a pool.

Pool deck resurfacing is done on the surrounding deck surface, not the pool shell itself, so the pool generally does not need to be drained for the project.

A textured, non-slip finish is broadcast or troweled into the coating during application, giving the surface traction even when wet. DCR includes slip-resistant texture as standard on all pool deck projects.

Yes, DCR repairs cracked, settled, or spalled sections of a pool deck before applying the decorative overlay, so the finished surface is both structurally sound and slip-resistant.

Pool deck coatings are exposed to constant sun, water, and pool chemicals, so DCR recommends resealing on a regular schedule to maintain color and slip resistance. Ask your technician for a maintenance timeline specific to your coating system.

DCR uses Sundek’s SunSplash system along with slip-resistant texture coatings designed specifically for pool deck environments.

Yes, in most cases a cracked driveway can be repaired and resurfaced rather than fully replaced, as long as the underlying slab is structurally sound. DCR assesses each driveway before recommending repair versus replacement.

Project length depends on driveway size and the amount of repair needed. Your free estimate will include a specific project timeline.

Resurfacing addresses surface-level cracking and wear. For driveways that have settled or heaved from soil movement, DCR will assess whether repair, leveling, or replacement is the right fix before resurfacing.

Yes, concrete sealing is available as a standalone service or as part of a full driveway resurfacing project to protect against St. Louis’s freeze-thaw winters.

St. Louis’s freeze-thaw cycles push water into small cracks, which then expand as the water freezes, widening cracks over time. Sealing and timely repair are the most effective ways to slow this damage.

“Resurfacing” and “overlay” are often used interchangeably to describe applying a new decorative concrete layer over an existing slab, rather than pouring an entirely new one.

Cost depends on surface size, current condition, the decorative system chosen, and how much repair is needed. See DCR’s Cost Guide for a breakdown of these factors, or call for a free custom quote.

Yes, DCR provides free, no-obligation on-site estimates for all decorative concrete projects. Call (636) 256-6733 to schedule one.

Yes, DCR is the only authorized Sundek dealer in the St. Louis market, offering the SunStamp, SunColor, SunGlaze, SunStone, SunSplash, and Tuscan overlay systems.

DCR serves the greater St. Louis metro area, including St. Louis County and St. Charles County suburbs such as Wildwood, Manchester, Lake St. Louis, and Clayton.

Yes, DCR provides commercial concrete resurfacing for office buildings, plazas, and other commercial properties in addition to residential work.

Timelines vary by project scope and the amount of repair needed. Your free on-site estimate will include a specific project timeline.

Yes, crack and spall repair is a standard first step before any decorative overlay or coating is applied, ensuring the finished surface is both durable and structurally sound.

Yes, DCR’s installed work has received more than 100 national awards recognizing its decorative concrete craftsmanship.