Concrete overlays help avoid the cost of a new floor

Published 12:00 am Saturday, June 12, 2004

By Benjamin Dipman, Tribune staff writer

Warren Kuipers specializes in hiding the identity of concrete.

Usually, when people talk about concrete, they think of a dusty, gray basement floor. Or they mention the oil-splattered, bare foundation of a garage.

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But Kuipers, owner of Custom Coatings and Floor in Albert Lea, sees concrete differently.

&uot;Thanks to new advances, concrete is quickly redefining its role in the residential marketplace,&uot; he said.

The business’ primary product, concrete overlays, allows people with concrete floors to improve through color, finish, durability and texture of the overlays.

Concrete no longer has to be gray, said Kuipers, who works out of his house.

&uot;There are over 30 different colors (of overlay) to choose from, ranging from natural earth tones to bright pastels.&uot;

The process can be done in a variety of settings, such as driveways, patios, sidwalks, garage floors and even pools.

&uot;(It) involves stamping … three-dimensional pattern tools in a polymer cement material with molds made from actual brick or stonework,&uot; Kuipers said. The material is placed over existing cement.

This procedure creates a more durable concrete that looks like something other than gray cement, such as slate, brick, granite, cobblestone or flagstone.

And the overlays are less expensive than redoing the floors.

&uot;A homeowner can now have anything from the look of newly poured concrete to the look of brick or stone on their driveway or any other cracked and pitted concrete and still have money left over to enjoy it,&uot; said Kuipers.

In addition varying colors and themes, Kuipers, who has owned the business for about a year, makes existing concrete more durable.

&uot;When the stamping is complete, the product is then stained and sealed, highlighting the colors and providing greater stain and weather resistance,&uot; he said.

The type of work Kuipers does is gaining popularity and he said people can see overlays at Disney World, Six Flags amusement parks and Las Vegas.

Kuipers would like to see more people in the Albert Lea area utilize the product.

&uot;They’ve been hesitant to use concrete creatively given the abuse it can receive during a harsh winter.&uot;

But Kuipers tried to dispel that myth.

&uot;Decorative concrete can be stronger and more chemical resistant than ordinary concrete,&uot; he said. &uot;There is no reason why a professionally installed concrete job here should not last as long as it would in any other climate,&uot; he said.

But business is picking up for Kuipers, who was doing jobs on a part-time basis.

&uot;This spring I started going full time at it,&uot; he said. &uot;I got a little more business lined up.&uot;