Nothing makes a home look more dated than a tired-looking concrete slab. Stains, cracks, mold and discolorations detract from curb appeal and ambiance. But the time and expense of removing a concrete slab keeps most homeowners from replacing it. So, they try pressure-washing — which can help, but can really only do so much to improve the look. Or, they try expensive resurfacing only to find out too late that it will only last a couple of years before chipping or peeling. The better, more permanent solution: overlay concrete with thin pavers. The transformation is incredible, and Belgard pavers are guaranteed to last the life of your home.
Boost Curb Appeal
Pavers add an upscale look to a home’s exterior, significantly boosting the curb appeal of walkways and driveways. As long as the concrete slab is still sound, it can be overlaid with pavers. Advanced Dry Mudset is an excellent product to facilitate this type of overlay, as it installs like sand, filling in all of the cracks and seams. Once the pavers are laid in place, water is sprayed over the pavers to activate the dry mudset, which then hardens and sets like concrete to bond the pavers to the original slab.
Porch and Patio Makeovers
For raised homes, basement patios or concrete porches, a paver overlay will dramatically improve the look and functionality of your space. Keep in mind that the overlay will increase the elevation of the slab, so it is best to choose a paver with the appropriate thickness to avoid having to grind down the transitions. For some situations, you may need to install a french drain along the transition to avoid drainage issues.
Bring New Life to a Walkway or Entrance
Goodbye, cracks and stains! Hello, beautiful pavers. Another benefit to a paver overlay is that it allows for an expansion of the paved area without making the addition look like an afterthought.
Rehab a Pool Deck
A dated pool can become somewhat of an eyesore and can even detract from the property value. Give a concrete pool deck an eye-catching facelift with a paver overlay. The results will have you and all of your friends wanted to spend every day by your pool.
Overlay Paver Styles
Unless you specifically want to increase the elevation of your slab with an 80mm paver, the best choice for an overlay is a thinner paver. Belgard offers multiple styles in thicknesses that vary from 20mm to 60mm that work very well for overlay projects.
PORCELAIN PAVERS
Porcelain Pavers are an excellent option for concrete overlay projects. They have the lowest profile (20mm), offer a upscale contemporary look and are highly resistant to stains, frost, mold and fading. And with the concrete base, they can even be used for a driveway.
LOW-PROFILE CONCRETE OVERLAY PAVERS
Belgard offers a line of low-profile pavers specifically designed for overlay projects. These 30mm pavers offer a cost-effective way to bring new life to tired concrete living areas.
SLAB PAVERS
Slab pavers also make an excellent overlay option. They provide a larger format for more contemporary looks and a typical thickness of 50mm, which provides excellent stability and strength to overlay concrete and then expand the outdoor living space out further to build a fire pit or outdoor kitchen.
PLANK PAVERS
Those looking for a contemporary plank design can also overlay a concrete surface with one of Belgard’s 60mm plank pavers.
To find a contractor who can help you with your overlay project, visit our contractor locator.
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44 comments
Do you have a catalog I can download or you can send me?
Ted keys
5412 Garnet Meadow RD
Knightdale NC 27545
Thx
Click here for a link to our downloadable catalog. If you prefer to receive a printed version, visit our contact page.
I have some porcelain tile that I would like to lay over the original porcelain tile. It is in a covered patio application.
Just want to make sure that this is doable.
Thanks
As long as none of the tiles are broken, this should be doable.
Can you overlay cracked concrete?
As long as the overall slab is sound and there isn’t shifting, yes. If DriBond is used, it will actually fill in the cracks and harden once it’s activated. However, if the crack is significant to the point that the slab has lifted or shifted, then no. If the majority of the slab is sound, you can sometimes cut out and replace a section that isn’t, which can keep you from having to tear out the entire slab.
Can you overlay asphalt?
Depending on the site conditions, asphalt can be overlaid but requires a different process. DriBond will not work because it won’t adhere to the asphalt to create a bond. It’s best to have a qualified contractor inspect your site and let you know whether an overlay in an option. To find a Belgard Authorized Contractor near you, visit Belgard.com/locator
How is the finished edge completed at the garage door? How is the garage door adjusted for proper operation? What is done at expansion joints on the concrete surface, will the bricks crack? How to finishe at the road end, is that machined down on an angle or other method? You need to include this on your videos.
The approach to the garage is typically to grind down the pavers to allow for a seamless transition. It is also possible to run the pavers up past the garage door opening and have a garage door company adjust the height of the door to fit. They can adjust the door typically a couple inches, or they can rest the track/door. However, there will be a slight step down into the garage. Typically, the road transition is treated the same way. However, at the road, another option is to keep the pavers up a couple inches and just have a lip there. At the expansion joints, DriBond will flex slightly. With great expansion, it will crack. To avoid this, you can create a joint line at the expansion joints (could be done with a border too) to help prevent cracking.
So, there is not really a way to make a seamless transition from the city sidewalk to the paver driveway, or from the existing garage to the paver driveway? Either way their will be a lip at both transition joints?
It would honestly depend on the particular situation, but contractors are stating they’ve been able to use a grinder to make it work. When slope creates a drainage issue, they add a drain.
We are in the process of getting estimates to install pavers on our existing driveway at our new home in Florida. We have used Belgard pavers and engineered wall at our previous home in North Carolina. My question, how much cracking of the paver will I see using a 2 inch paver. My wife and I drive full size vehicles, a Tahoe and full size pickup that I leave parked on the driveway.
If installed properly, there will be no issue with the weight of the vehicles. With an overlay application using DriBond, there is a risk of cracking at the expansion joints. However, those cracks won’t jeopardize the installation. With a standard paver installation with 60mm pavers, there will be no issue. In Florida, a new install vs an overlay is often not far off in price.
I want to do over a sidewalk that has just one crack in it that I think should be fine. My concern is more how does this product do in Wisconsin Winter Weather and on sloped sidewalks. My side walk goes actually down hill to the house. Guessing a 4′ Drop from road to front stoop over a 50′? distance I’d guess.
The slope wouldn’t likely be an issue, but DriBond is currently only in testing for climates with extreme freeze/thaw conditions like Wisconsin. The product is relatively new (just a few years), so befoe the company promotes it for that type of use, they want to have multiple seasons of data in order to make a definitive recommendation.
I would like to use your porcelain pavers for a new pool project. If I lay a concrete sub-base can I use the Dribond with porcelain pavers over the concrete sub-base? Would this be the most cost-effective way to do porcelain pavers for a new construction pool deck or is there a better/cheaper option if its new construction?
DriBond works very well for this type of application. In terms of cost-effectiveness, that would vary by market. Soil conditions could also be a factor. It would be best to get quotes for both a concrete and standard paver sub-base. To find a Belgard Authorized Contractor in your area, go to http://www.Belgard.com/locator.
I have a concrete porch. The old owners added two parts to it to make it larger and both are sinking. Can it be lifted and then pavered over?
More than likely, this would not be an ideal scenario. We will check with our team and report back with any suggestions.
After consulting with the team, here is their advice:
It’s possible to mud jack this with concrete or foam if the slabs are in good shape. However, without knowing why they are sinking (poor soils, lack of compaction, water issues, etc) its possible that it will continue to move. It’s also possible the original porch is on a footing and the extensions are not. If that’s the case the new sections will likely continue to move and sink with freeze/thaw and water saturation. Without seeing it, it may perhaps be better to remove the concrete and build a paver system from scratch. You could overlay the porch and just remove the sinking sections. You may also want to consider consulting with an engineer in your area who specializes in designing paving systems.
We would like to overlay our concrete patio. It is a built up cinderblock patio about 3 feet. Can you glue the 1” pavers to the sides of the cinderblock Also for the edging pavers Do you glue them down or just us dribond? If you just glue them how do you level out the inside pavers with the dribond. Won’t they be higher.
You can glue the pavers to the side of the cinder blocks with a masonry adhesive. You’ll want to use Structure Bond (best on the market), and it’s best to start at the bottom and slowly build off a level first row. You will need to use something to prop against the pavers until the adhesive bonds (usually about 5 minutes). Use BorderBond for the overlay borders. It’s a bonding agent that is added to DriBond and is applied with a notched trowel (1/4”). The Dribond will be screeded out to about 3/8” of inch and when laid and cut and flooded in with water it will be the same height as the border.
Can I lay porcelain pavers over existing slate 12 x 12 tiles that are in good shape (other than flaking)? Or is it best to remove the tiles and lay over the existing concrete base? And can DriBond be used with 24 x 24 inch tiles?
With the flaking, there is a possibility that it might not adhere properly, especially with larger tiles. Techniseal only recommends max size of a unit to be 12″x12″ when using DriBond. The larger the units, the more watering that has to take place to reach and activate the DriBond at the center of the paving unit. You will also need to wet a sponge and wipe off the side of the stone that will be placed on the DriBond. This removes contaminants that may have a negative affect on the quality of the bond. Make sure the stones are dry after cleaning them before placing them in the DriBond.
You did a great job of showing how good-looking slab pavers are when installed properly. The example you had of a paved fireplace really caught my attention because I’ve always wanted an outdoor area that we can use as a hangout place, but since winter is approaching, we would definitely need a source of warmth like a fire pit. I’ll get to work on this outdoor project right away by looking for any concrete contractors that have these type of paver materials.
Question, looking to cover an existing concrete front stoop that has one step. Is there a veneer stone that goes on the sides? I’d like the sides to have the stacked stone look. I’m not sure how I would attach a paver to the sides to make it look good? Also, what is used for the step edge? just the paver overhanging the front? I like the look of the Dubliner paver, and would carry them into a paver walkway that does not have concrete underneath.
For a stacked stone look, check out Artisan Masonry Veneers. You would want to use a specialized masonry veneer adhesive or mortar to adhere it to the side. For the step, you could edge it with a wall cap or coping. Since you’re looking to add an additional walkway, this sounds like something you would not want to do DIY unless you are skilled at paver installation. To find a qualified contractor near you to help you with this project, visit our contractor locator page.
I have a stamped concrete patio that I would like to overlay with pavers due to its deteriorating appearance. I’ve been told by concrete contractors that the concrete itself is fine it’s just that the surface has pitted and cracked. I’m guessing the only issue is achieving a smooth surface given the stamp? What product would you recommend to do that, and are there other factors to consider.
DriBond will actually fill the cracks and seams, as long as the concrete is sound. The overlay pavers will then bond with concrete below.
I have a concrete patio that has expansion joints. Can I put the NOON pavers over it in 12×48? If yes, does it need any uncoupling membrane below it?
We’re checking with Mirage for recommendations and will report back.
If you are located in an area that is subject to freeze/thaw conditions, installing a product with this aspect ratio over your patio could be subject to problems. However, it is possible, but even with an isolation membrane, you would want the expansion joints lined up exactly where the joints are in the slabs, or the porcelain will crack at some point. Be sure to use outdoor-rated thinset.
any update on this?
Hi Ken! Can you please let me know what information you’re looking for? We’ll be more than happy to assist. Thanks
I am in San Francisco so not in a freeze thaw area. What should be the maximum distance between each expansion joint in the concrete that I should maintain?
Unfortunately, DriBond is not currently available in your market.
My question was different. What is the max distance between expansion joints on concrete slab that you recommend?
That really depends on the climate and soil type. You want to prevent the subsoil from becoming saturated especially in an area with a lot of freeze thaw cycles. We would suggest a joint no wider than 1/4 to 1/2” max,
Is it possible to use your process over stamped concrete? It was supposed to look like a brick and it’s not smooth. Can the existing concrete be ground down enough for pavers? Hi
You don’t have to grind it down if using DriBond. The product will fill in any small cracks, grooves or stamped joints. As long as the concrete hasn’t cracked to the point of heaving or shifting.
We have a slab we built next to our pool for cornhole. The contractor did not do a great job with the concrete and two of the four section have a dip where water gathers. I love the look of the overlay pavers. Would it be possible to level the overlay pavers slightly towards the drain to fix the dips?
Doug-
Thanks for your comment and question. If it’s a big dip – It would be better if they had the slabs mud jacked to adjust the slope. Once that’s done you can use DriBond or thinset to overlay it – then used NOCO (No Compaction) poly sand for the joints https://techniseal.com/pro_en_us/noco-polymeric-joint-211-004. DriBond should be able to fill voids 5/8” – if it’s a subtle dip then DriBond will work. You would then use Border Bond for the edges. This suggestion is based off of the information you provided and we always recommend a professional contractor being a part of the assessment and solution. Thanks!
Has this been approved for areas that get freezing conditions and snow? Can you salt the paver driveway in winter? Our current driveway is starting to crack from salt and age.