So then why do we have different thicknesses? For minor repairs or color corrections of a concrete floor, a skim coat goes down thin, and as it uses less material, it is a very economical option. For those looking to dress up their concrete with a stone-like texture on a budget, the trowel down works well, but as we are texturing it, that makes it a little thicker.
The stamped overlay creates a very authentic stone-like look, but it needs a thicker layer to effectively transfer a pattern from a rubber stamp into the still hardening cement coating.