Tips for selecting and installing a concrete overlay

A Closer Look at Portland-Limestone Cement
and the Questions It Raises

In the race toward reducing carbon emissions and building a more sustainable future, the construction industry has placed significant emphasis on material innovation. One of the most talked-about shifts in recent years is the rise of 1L concrete, also known as Type 1L Portland-limestone cement (PLC). While its environmental intentions are clear, the execution and field performance of this material have sparked deep concerns among contractors, finishers, and construction professionals across the country.

What Is 1L Concrete?

1L concrete is a blended cement product made by intergrinding Portland cement clinker with up to 15% finely ground limestone. It falls under ASTM C595 and was promoted as a more sustainable option than traditional Type I or Type II cement, with a claimed reduction in embodied carbon of about 10%.
This transition is part of a broader movement toward lowering the construction industry’s carbon footprint. However, for many professionals working in the field every day, the reality of 1L’s performance has not aligned with its promise.

Why the Push—And Why the Pushback?

Advocates of 1L cement cite decades of successful use in Europe and a growing need for climate-conscious practices. Major producers in the U.S. began shifting almost entirely to Type 1L in 2022 and 2023, often with little consultation or consideration for the practical realities faced by contractors and specialty finishers.
This sudden change, often framed as a “drop-in replacement,” has led to a number of serious challenges:
Surface Defects & Finish Failures
Many contractors have reported inconsistent finish quality, scaling, dusting, and difficulty achieving color uniformity in decorative and exposed applications. In some cases, these issues have led to litigation over failed installations.

Lack of Field Testing & Support

Although some densifiers and admixtures are being promoted as compatible with 1L, most have not undergone sufficient independent testing to ensure reliable long-term performance. Contractors are left to troubleshoot on their own, often at their own expense.

Distrust from the Field

For many in the construction world, especially those working on architectural concrete, decorative finishes, or high-performance surfaces, the lack of transparency and technical support has created a deep sense of frustration and mistrust.

What Industry Experts Are Saying

While many material producers remain committed to 1L cement, an increasing number of contractors, specifiers, and consultants are raising red flags. Some are now avoiding 1L altogether in high-exposure projects or are specifying additional treatments, sealers, or surface hardeners to compensate for performance issues.
Yet even these remedies come with asterisks: most haven’t been thoroughly tested alongside 1L, and results vary based on climate, substrate, and finishing practices. While some contractors are beginning to find combinations that work, there is no universally endorsed solution at this time.

Proceeding with Caution

There’s no question that sustainability is an urgent priority—but true sustainability must also account for durability, performance, and constructability. When cement fails in the field, the environmental impact of replacement materials and labor far outweighs any initial carbon savings.
As the industry continues to explore lower-carbon alternatives, many experts are calling for a more thoughtful, transparent, and inclusive approach—one that includes rigorous testing, real-world data, and support for the contractors on the front lines of implementation.

The Bottom Line

1L concrete may represent a step toward sustainability, but for now, it’s a step that should be taken with full awareness of its limitations. The current landscape demands caution, continued evaluation, and an honest dialogue between producers and practitioners.
Until field data improves and manufacturers take stronger accountability for performance, the use of 1L cement should be considered on a case-by-case basis, especially in projects where finish quality, color uniformity, or long-term durability are critical.

Self level overlay with colored elements

Self level overlay with colored elements

A concrete overlay is excellent for transforming the appearance of concrete floors, countertops, pool decking, walkways, and more. Although we often recommend you hire a professional decorative concrete contractor, many of these products can be installed as a do-it-yourself project.

For outstanding results when doing the work on your own, it is important to purchase high-quality products. An excellent source for a variety of overlays in Orlando is Select Surface Solutions. We can also recommend a highly skilled contractor if needed.

By using a quality concrete overlays, the installation can go very quickly. In fact, depending on the size and type of the project, you could finish it in a single day. Select Surface Solutions offers several concrete overlay products, including:

  • SureSpray – Thin, self-bonding concrete overlay perfect for patios, driveways, walkways, and pool decks
  • SureTex – Commercial grade overlay with textured slip resistance
  • SureStamp – Used to resurface interior and exterior concrete surfaces with a stamped concrete appearance
  • SureBroom – Commercial grade for leveling and retexturing interior and exterior surfaces often broomed for a non-slip surface texture.

Finishing Tips

Concrete  overlays in Orlando are highly advantageous. In addition to being designed to correct concrete floors with uneven surfaces or damaged areas, they provide a smooth, strong, and durable surface ready for decorative color treatments.

Made from a polymer-modified cement, these overlays are designed to last and remain bonded for the life of the concrete. When smoothing out and/or leveling uneven and worn concrete surfaces you will want to pre-patch the concrete and get it as level and smooth as possible before applying the final overlay material.

In some instances, self-leveling overlays are a great choice if a smooth and level surface is desired.  These overlays are designed to seek their own level and smooth out with only a touch of a smoother or gauge rake tool.  Decoratively each concrete overlay can be colored to enhance the overall aesthetics using dyes and stains.

For something more elaborate, such as saw cutting,  engraving or stenciling  you can enhance the decorative concrete element even more.  Another option is to add decorative inlays, such as metal or wood adhered to the base concrete, followed by pouring the overlay to the inlay level. Remember, if you need help at any time, Select Surface Solutions can recommend the right contractor for the job.

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