System Series Part 4: Concrete Micro-Toppings SunCanvas
The Decorative Concrete industry has exploded over the past 15-20 years! The evolution of new and exciting decorative concrete products and application methods grows each year. At Sundek, we have more than kept pace over the past 20 plus years, but rather served as an industry leader in the decorative concrete industry for the past 40 years! Adapting to new markets and improving existing products is what we do best. One of our more recent innovations is our new product line of Sundek SunCanvas which is generically classified in the industry as a micro-topping.
Sundek SunCanvasThe beauty of the amazing SunCanvas material is its ability to transform an ordinary interior concrete floor into a dazzling traffic-friendly surface that is complimented by a variety color stains, metallic, custom graphics and finished with a durable clear finish. SunCanvas is a perfect renovation tool
for older floors that are in good condition – that is crack free and structurally sound. It is also a great solution for new floors in good condition looking for a consistent and beautiful finish.
You are probably asking yourself, then why apply a coating? Why not just stain or color the existing concrete, if it is in good condition? The truth is that the majority of older concrete floors are not in a stain ready condition that will exhibit the satisfactory results you are looking for your property!
What is a Good “Use Case” for SunCanvas?
Ghosting EffectGlad you asked! SunCanvas is perfect for a floor where tile or carpeting was removed. SunCanvas will cover over the ghosting effect left behind from the previous flooring material. If a contractor would have tried to stain the floor in the photo shown here, the tile lines would “ghost” through on the floor if it were simply stained or dyed.
Instead, Sundek’s SunCanvas comes into play for this solution. The floor is completely surface prepared by machine grinding and then followed by multiple coats of SunCanvas applied with squeegees and trowels. Each coat of SunCanvas is lightly sanded after it dries to remove any trowel lines and then the floor is then recoated until the final surface texture is achieved. Now we have a floor finish that is smooth and consistent! The surface is now ready for any number of color choices which are typically a stain of some type. Many Sundek Dealers will use the SunH2O which is a water-based acrylic stain or an acid-based stain like Sun Acid. Both materials have their advantages
- Sun Acid provides a very organic – mottled look
- Sun H2O offers a more consistent look and a wider selection of colors
Another popular look today is the use of metallic color which provides a real WOW factor to a floor. With the use a micro-topping like SunCanvas, an old floor can be rejuvenated into an amazing show piece. I am seeing more of the metallic looks now being used in garage floors and high-end commercial real estate.
Sundek SunCanvasAs with any stain floor the surface must be protected with a clear finish coat to protect it from the wear and tear of everyday foot traffic. The clear coat will also make the stain colors “pop” adding depth and richness to the final look. Clear coating your surface also makes it elegant and an easy to maintain finish.
The selection of clears can be a tricky proposition and will all depend on three factors:
- Intended use of the floor
- Overall look you are trying to achieve
- Long term maintenance
My preferred choice of clears has been a high-solids urethane applied in two coats. I like the urethane because it is more resilient than an epoxy clear or polyaspartic clear. By resilient I mean,
- It is more scratch resistant
- It provides some degree of slip resistance
- It will not amber or turn yellow in direct sunlight over time
The Bottom Line: Keep in mind when you are considering staining your decorative concrete floor that using your existing concrete floor as your starting “canvas” may not give you the expected results that you’re looking for from that magazine picture or a friend’s house. Sundek’s SunCanvas gives reliable and predictable results! If you are considering a new look on a floor area that currently has carpet or tile, check with your local Sundek Decorative Concrete Coatings Dealer and discuss SunCanvas as a great option for your floor!!!
Your Local Contractor:
Unfortunately:
We currently do not have a local installer in your area.