Smooth VS Textured: The Types Of Concrete Finishes
Concrete is one of the most popular construction materials in the world. It is strong, durable, and versatile. There are many different ways to finish concrete, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. In this post, we'll take a look at some of the most common concrete finishes, how they’re achieved, and which one is best for your concrete construction needs!
Troweled Finish
When your concrete has been poured and flattened with a screed, you can use this finishing technique for a smooth effect. Using a hand trowel or a power trowel, back and forth motions are used to smooth out the top layer of your concrete work. Usually, power trowels are only used on big concrete construction jobs like commercial or industrial projects. This technique is one of the most used techniques for a smooth finish.
Broom Finish
The broom finish technique is used to create texture to concrete that has been poured and flattened with a screed. To perform a broom finish, you will need to start with a trowel finish to get the concrete surface leveled and sealed, then a special broom is gently dragged across the concrete surface to create texture for a rougher surface. This technique is done for both aesthetic reasons and for extra grip.
Stamped Concrete Finish
For a simple way of adding style and texture to your concrete, a stamped finish can be used. Concrete is poured, leveled, troweled, and then stamped with a pattern or design of your choice. As the pattern is stamped onto the uncured concrete it creates texture to the concrete which creates added grip. This finish is used for aesthetic purposes only, as stamp patterns can create the visual effect of other materials, such as stone, brick, and even tile.
Exposed Aggregate Finish
This concrete finishing technique is where the aggregate within the concrete mixture is clearly visible. Aggregates are usually chosen especially for this type of finishing to make sure you get the perfect end result. The concrete is poured, leveled, troweled, and then treated with an overnight chemical that slows down the concrete's hardening time. Then water is used to wash away the surface layer of concrete, exposing the aggregate. This type of concrete construction finish is mostly used for projects such as sidewalks and breezeways to make an attractive non-slip floor surface.
Salt Finish
Salt finish is used within concrete construction projects relating to swimming pools and other wet areas. Rock salt is added to wet concrete and then washed away to create tiny craters in the surface of the concrete, resulting in a textured surface that is perfect for around pools as it’s slip-resistant.
Polished Concrete
To make your concrete construction project appear sleek and modern, you can use a polished concrete finish. This type of finish creates an extremely smooth, shiny surface and is usually seen inside shopping malls and other high-end buildings. A floor grinder is used to polish the concrete surface and then a sealer is applied to protect the concrete mixture from any oil, chemicals, or stains.
