Concrete Finish

Are you looking for the alternatives to the standard smooth concrete finish? We can help you choose the right one for you. To select the right one, you have take into consideration a few practical considerations. If the surface requires frequent and thorough cleaning, you should and you have to opt for stick with a smooth finish, which is much easier to maintain than finishes that are grooved or heavily broomed. If the surface has to adjust with the freeze conditions, abrasion or heavy traffic, we request you to avoid splattered finishes. Sometimes, you can feel the need of a good traction fearing that the surface will be subjected to traffic. In that case, we would like to suggest you to plan to apply a floated, rough aggregate or an evenly grooved finish because they provide the best footing. It is advisable that you should first address all those practical considerations before going for visual appeal, color scheme, and location. 

When it comes to good traction, rough concrete can be a forceful alternative to concrete finish. It is particularly suited for pool decks and other areas frequently exposed to water. It is also more durable than smooth concrete. We suggest you to work the concrete with a wooden hand float. But you can use a derby or bull float if the surface is very large. To achieve the desired pattern, you can move the float in various patterns. On the other hand, a smooth finish is practical, easy to clean and ideal for making decorative inscriptions and impressions. With the aid of steel trowel, by moving it in sweeping arcs, you can overlap the arcs to make sure the entire slab is smooth. You can go for additional trowelings for very smooth surfaces. The third troweling will produce the desired glossy finish. To hold the leading edge up further, you should press down harder and repeat the troweling process.

When we are talking about concrete finish alternative, we can't overlook grooved and stamped finishes. This finishes are produced by pressing masonry stamping tools and other objects into slightly stiff concrete. Most large rental centers stock stamping tools. These tools are instrumental in imprinting simulated paving brick, stone, tile and other patterns. We suggest you to put small coarse aggregate such as pea gravel in the concrete prior to the stamping. A piece of bent pipe works particularly well for making deep, clean grooves and a jointer can be used to groove the concrete to look like flagstone. Scoring has to be done when the concrete has partially set. For the best result, you should create your own homemade stamp using typical household items such as cookie cutters. But no way you should opt for splattered finishes. They are beautiful and unusual, but at the same time they are also less durable than other finishes.