Resurfacing is an economical way to give old concrete a complete face lift. But the underlying concrete must be sound and minor cracks must be repaired if you want your new decorative surface to last. Get these pointers for evaluating the condition of your existing concrete and how to fix minor cracks:  

• Is It Worth Fixing? 
• Concrete Crack Repair Evaluation 
•  Repairing Cracks in Concrete 

A resurfaced driveway.

If you own a home. it's been a real struggle over the last few years just to pay the mortgage, let alone save extra cash for home remodeling and maintenance. But things are looking rosier. According to a major report released by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, the U.S. home remodeling industry is poised for a new decade of growth, as both the economy and the housing market begin stabilize. That means that many of us are likely to spend more money sprucing up our homes. Here are five popular home renovations, both inside and out, where concrete can offer the best long-term value for your remodeling dollar.

1. Redo a bathroom 

If you're planning to upgrade a bathroom, concrete can be used to customize nearly every surface, including the vanity, the sink, the shower enclosure, the floor and even the bathtub. With concrete, you can size and shape elements to fit any space and choose a color scheme that complements or matches your existing d?cor. Concrete is also waterproof, mold-resistant and low maintenance. See these ideas for using concrete to remodel a bathroom.

2. Renovate a basement 

Realtor surveys show that finishing a basement ranks just behind kitchen and bathroom renovations in maximizing the return on the homeowner's investment, with the payback sometimes exceeding the remodeling expenditure. (See Why a Finished Basement?)

3. Resurface with an overlay 

Concrete resurfacing is a growing trend with homeowners looking to refinish old, worn concrete floors or exterior pavements. By using today's high-performance concrete overlays and coatings, you can make worn concrete look like new again or completely upgrade the surface with a new color scheme and pattern. And in most cases, resurfacing costs much less than concrete removal and replacement, saving you money you can use to upgrade other areas of your home.

4. Replace a wood deck 

If you are sick and tired of maintaining that splintering, faded wood deck, why not replace it with a material that will last a lifetime and require little maintenance? Concrete is a superior patio material, both in terms of performance and design versatility. See Top 10 Reasons to Install a Concrete Patio.

5. Spice up a kitchen 

Kitchens rank at the top of the list when it comes to home renovations, and usually offer the greatest return on your remodeling investment. There are a number of cost-effective ways you can use decorative concrete to change the entire look of a kitchen and improve its functionality. (See Four Ways to Spice Up a Drab Kitchen with Concrete.)