Is resurfacing cheaper than replacing concrete?

Substantially, in most cases. Replacement means demolition, disposal, forming, pouring and a long cure. Resurfacing reuses the existing slab as the base, so you pay for the finish rather than the whole structure — and you get the space back far sooner.

When is concrete too far gone to resurface?

When the problem is structural rather than surface. If the slab has settled unevenly, has wide moving cracks, or is breaking apart through its full depth, a new surface will crack along the same lines. We assess the slab at the estimate and will tell you straight if replacement is the honest answer — resurfacing something that needs replacing helps nobody.

How long before I can use it?

Light foot traffic is usually fine within about 24 hours, with vehicles and heavier use a few days later depending on the product and the weather. We give you exact times for your job before we leave the site.

Will resurfaced concrete survive Ottawa winters and road salt?

Yes, when it is specified and sealed for this climate, which is what we do. The failures people have seen are usually thin consumer-grade coatings applied over unprepared concrete. Proper surface preparation and a sealed finish are what make the difference over a decade of salt and frost.

What colour is the finished surface?

One standard concrete colour. We do not offer custom colours or stains — what we do offer is a finish that is even and consistent across the whole element, which is why we resurface the full porch or the full walkway rather than patching part of it. Texture is where the choice is: a broom finish for grip on steps and walkways, or a smoother finish where footing is not a concern.

Concrete Resurfacing Ottawa | Steps, Porches & Floors

Cracked front steps. A garage floor that has started pitting. A porch where the paint is peeling off in sheets. Concrete that looks past saving very often is not — resurfacing puts a new, durable finish over the existing slab at a fraction of the cost of tearing it out and starting again.

What resurfacing fixes

Spalling and pitting from road salt and freeze-thaw. Hairline and surface cracking. Discolouring, staining and old peeling paint. Worn, uneven finishes that make an otherwise sound porch or walkway look tired. We resurface steps, porches, landings, garage floors, walkways and driveways.

Prepping and resurfacing a commercial entrance stair in Ottawa.

When we will tell you to replace instead

Resurfacing works because the existing slab does the structural job while the new layer does the finishing. When the slab itself has failed — significant settlement, wide moving cracks, or concrete breaking up through its full depth — a new surface will crack along the same lines within a year or two. We assess the slab during the estimate and tell you honestly which one you need. Selling you a resurfacing job that is going to fail is not a business we are interested in.

The finish

One standard concrete colour — we do not do custom colours or stains. What you choose is the texture: a broom finish for grip on steps and walkways where winter footing matters, or a smoother finish where it does not. The surface is sealed against salt and moisture before we leave.