Concrete Finishing Techniques Everyone Should Know

While you’re not a concrete mason or intend to be one, you’re likely to encounter concrete finishing tasks at one point or the other. You might hire people to install a concrete driveway and they’ll ask you what finishing your like. You should know what the common concrete finishing methods are so you can give them a good answer and not just stand there dumbfounded. 

Concrete is a versatile and widely used construction material. It’s not unlikely that you’ll have a concrete project underway one of these days. The most common types of concrete finishing techniques are as follows: 

1. Troweling  

A trowel is a tool that is used to smooth and level concrete surfaces. The concrete may be troweled manually or mechanically, depending on what equipment is available. Power trowels are normally used in large-scale and commercial applications.  

2. Edging 

Edging is a technique wherein the edges are made beveled or rounded to minimize cracking. Joints are also created to ensure that the same thing. To perform this task, a special edging tool is necessary. Mastery of using the tool is also needed.  

3. Broom Finishing 

The broom finish is used to make the concrete less slippery. It is performed after the concrete has been placed, leveled, and troweled. A broom will be dragged from one end of the concrete surface to the other to make small ridges. Those ridges will create the necessary traction or friction on the concrete, which is very necessary for wet surfaces.  

4. Exposed Aggregate Finish  

The exposed aggregate finish is what’s commonly used on concrete walkways and sidewalks. It is created by washing the concrete’s topmost layer to expose the natural stone aggregates in the concrete, which makes sure that the concrete is not just slip-resistant but also attractive.  

5. Salt Finishing 

If you’re building the concrete on pool decks, the salt finish is the best choice. This type of finish is created by placing rock salt on the top of the concrete before washing it away. Doing so will leave pits of salt on the finished surface.  

6. Stamped concrete 

Stamping is one of the most popular concrete finishes today. Here, concrete stamps are used to create design patterns on the concrete surface. The stampers are made with panels that have inlaid designs on it. These panels are placed on the surface of the concrete while it is curing. There are quite a number of design options available to these days, including stone and brick patterns. 

7. Concrete staining  

Aside from stamping, concrete staining is quite popular as well. Here, the finished concrete has added a tint to give the concrete color. Unlike regular pigments, stains can be added to concrete regardless of its age.  

These are some of the examples of finition de béton that you can choose for your home, driveway, pathway, or sidewalk. Choose the one that would serve your preference the most. Consult with a professional concrete contractor to determine what the best choice for you is and to know if you can possibly use two concrete finishes in one project.