Concrete resurfacing options

Whether you made the decision to add a concrete driveway, patio or pool to your home or you inherited those assets when you moved in, there comes a time when concrete needs a new lease of life. Knowing about your concrete resurfacing options can help you make the best decision. 

Thinking about the look of your home, as well as knowing about concrete resurfacing costs, can let you come to an informed decision. 

Concrete driveway resurfacing options 

Concrete is an incredibly practical material to use for driveways but, like all driveway options, over time it deteriorates and needs to be replaced or resurfaced. 

In most instances, repairing a driveway requires time-consuming demolition and removal. However, by choosing concrete driveway resurfacing, you can save time and money. Unlike with a completely new slab, your resurfaced driveway should be ready for action within 48 hours. 

Resurfacing your driveway covers up existing problems, such as stains, while also giving your property a facelift. 

There are a few different options for concrete resurfacing options that give you choices for appearance and budget:

- standard concrete

- stencilled concrete

- multi-coloured stencilling

- coloured concrete

- pebblecrete

Concrete pool resurfacing options 

If you have an in-ground concrete pool that is looking a bit worse for wear, you have a few options to bring it back to its former glory. 

In almost all cases, there's a reason that the concrete or pebblecrete isn't looking good and a surface fix, like painting it, will do nothing to fix the underlying problems. 

Although it pays to have a professional look at your pool, the most likely scenario is that you should remove any areas of concrete that look damaged, resurface your pool with your chosen material and replace your waterline tiles.

When resurfacing a pool, some people choose to maintain the status quote and stick with the concrete, pebblecrete, marblesheen or beadcrete surface while others prefer to go a different route and add a fibreglass surface. 

Concrete patio resurfacing options 

As with a driveway, you have a few different options for a concrete patio resurfacing project. 

The most common ways to resurface a concrete patio are:

- standard concrete

- stencilled concrete

- multi-coloured stencilling

- coloured concrete

- pebblecrete

But a change in direction to add pavers to your patio isn't unheard of. 

Concrete resurfacing costs

When you book in a tradie to resurface an area of your home, it pays to have an idea of what you should expect to be charged. 

As a general rule, the starting costs for different concrete types are from:

- $35 per sq/m for standard concrete

- $50 per sq/m for stencilled concrete

- $85 per sq/m for multi-coloured stencilling

- $75 to $90 per sq/m for coloured concrete

- $100 to $150 per sq/m for pebblecrete

Other factors such as access and slopes can add extra to these costs, and you also have to add labour and other fees to get a better idea of how much you'll be quoted. 

Pebblestone concrete resurfacing 

Another popular option for driveways and other surfaces is pebblestone (or pebblecrete). 

Pebblestone is simply a mixture of pebbles and concrete which has been a mainstay of Australian homes since the 1960s. Some of the existing pebblecrete from that era looks a bit dated, but with modern techniques, more recent resurfacing projects look a lot fresher.  

People like this option for its natural look, it has low maintenance requirements and it hides stains better than normal concrete. 

Pebblestone concrete resurfacing costs around $80 more per square metre than plain concrete on flat surfaces, and a little more on sloped surfaces. 

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost for a concrete overlay?

Concrete resurfacing projects vary in costs due to the size of the area and factors such as access. As a general rule, you should expect to pay between $100 and $150 per square metre. 

How thick can a concrete overlay be?

As a general rule, concrete overlays should only be a few millimetres thick. If you have holes or cracks that are much deeper, it's normally a better idea to fill these in with a leveller before starting the concrete resurfacing.

How can I improve an old concrete driveway?

There are several ways to improve an old driveway, but much of it depends on what the problem is. Filling in cracks can make it look newer while also strengthening the driveway and prohibiting weed growth. If you have stains, pressure washing can make it look good as new. 

However, in many cases, old concrete should either be completely replaced or resurfaced to bring them back to a standard that makes you proud of your driveway. 

How often do concrete pools need resurfacing?

Each pool is different, but in most cases you would expect a concrete pool to last 10 to 15 years before it needs to be resurfaced. However, if you spot damage in the concrete, it's normally cheaper to get it resurfaced sooner rather than later. 

How long does a resurfaced driveway last?

So long as the work is done properly and you have a sound base, a resurfaced driveway should last as long as a new one: between 10 and 20 years. 

Heavy use, prolonged exposure to water and other factors can reduce this life span.