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Concrete skim coats for commercial floors

A skim coat is a thin cementitious layer troweled over concrete to smooth rough, patched or lightly uneven surfaces. Core Floorings Inc installs skim coats on commercial floors in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, leaving a clean, uniform surface that is ready for coatings or new flooring.

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What does a skim coat fix, and what does it not?

A skim coat fixes surface problems: roughness, shallow dips, patched areas and leftover adhesive. It does not fix height differences that put a slab out of flatness tolerance, because it is applied in thin layers. For that, you need a self-leveling underlayment through our floor leveling service.

It also does not repair structural problems. Cracks that move, spalled edges and damaged joints need proper repair first, which our concrete repair crews handle.

  • Rough or open-textured concrete
  • Patched areas that need to blend with the surrounding slab
  • Shallow low spots and surface defects
  • Residue left after removing old flooring or adhesive

Skim coat or self-leveling underlayment?

Choose a skim coat for surface smoothing and an underlayment for correcting height. The two are priced as separate items, and many floors use an underlayment first and a skim coat to finish the surface.

Skim coat compared with self-leveling underlayment
FactorSkim coatSelf-leveling underlayment
PurposeSmooth minor surface defectsCorrect real height differences
ThicknessThin layers, with a limit set by each product (one manufacturer lists up to about 1/2 inch of fill)Roughly 1/8 inch to 1 inch or more
Typical usePrepping for coatings or resilient flooringMeeting a flatness spec

How our Skim Coats process works

  1. 1

    Check the substrate

    We confirm the slab is sound and identify what needs repair before skimming.

  2. 2

    Prepare and prime

    Grinding, cleaning and a suitable primer give the skim coat a surface to bond to.

  3. 3

    Apply thin layers

    The cementitious skim coat is mixed and troweled to a smooth, uniform finish.

  4. 4

    Cure and inspect

    After the manufacturer's cure time, we inspect the surface for the next system.

What affects the cost of skim coats?

Every floor is different, so we price each project from the site, the slab and the spec. These are the factors that move the number. Send us your project for an itemized bid.

  • Total square footage
  • Condition of the substrate and the repairs it needs
  • Thickness required, which sets the number of passes
  • The next flooring system, since coatings usually need the smoothest surface
  • Schedule and cure time before the next trade

Skim Coats questions

What is a skim coat on concrete?

A skim coat is a thin cementitious layer applied over concrete to smooth rough, patched or lightly uneven areas. It creates a clean, sound surface for the next flooring system. It is a finishing layer, not a way to correct large height differences in the slab.

What is the difference between a skim coat and self-leveling underlayment?

A skim coat smooths minor surface defects in thin layers. A self-leveling underlayment corrects real height differences, typically from about 1/8 inch to an inch or more. If your slab is out of tolerance, use an underlayment. If it is only rough or patched, a skim coat is usually enough.

How thick can a skim coat be?

Each product has its own limit. One manufacturer lists its skim coat for filling minor defects up to about 1/2 inch, while thicker corrections call for an underlayment. We select the product for the depth of your defects and follow its data sheet.

Will a skim coat cover cracks?

It covers hairline surface cracks, but not cracks that are moving or structural. Those should be repaired first, or they may reflect through the skim coat. We evaluate cracks and joints before skimming and recommend repair when needed.

Can a skim coat be left as the finished floor?

Yes. We install skim coats both as a finished, troweled floor and as a preparation layer under coatings or flooring. The look of a finished skim coat varies with the product and troweling, so tell us your goal and we will recommend the right material for the space.

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Have a floor that needs to perform?

Send us your drawings, square footage and schedule. We will walk the site, test the slab and get you a clear, itemized bid.

Request a BidIllinois (312) 525-8827Indiana (219) 533-2662

What to send us

Have these ready and we can turn your bid around faster.

  • Drawings, specs or a floor plan
  • Approximate square footage
  • Current floor condition (photos help)
  • Your target schedule

Email plans to sales@corefloorings.com