Concrete is a versatile building material used worldwide in all kinds of construction projects. Typically, concrete comprises cement, sand, aggregate, and water. Concrete can be shaped and finished while it is still in its green state. Various types of concrete finishes create a durable and aesthetically pleasing surface.
This article will share some interesting myths about concrete and give detailed knowledge about concrete finishes, such as what concrete finishes are, different types of concrete finishes, their benefits, disadvantages, and care tips etc.
Myths About Concrete
Do you know any of these concrete myths? The following are some widespread misconceptions about concrete that homeowners could assume to be true:
There is No Difference Between Cement and Concrete
People often use the terms “cement” and “concrete” interchangeably, but cement is just one of the components of concrete. Cement, gravel, sand, and crushed stones are the primary constituents of concrete.
Go through the below article to know the difference between cement and concrete:
There is Never any other Colour for Concrete besides Grey
Even though most concrete is a standard grey, you are not limited to that colour if you choose. The concrete can be any colour and can be finished in a number of ways. It is possible to resemble a broad range of non-concrete materials with the right finish.
Regardless of the Season or Temperature, Concrete Can be Poured at Any Time
The weather has to be right for the concrete to dry properly. This is why people who want to do a project with concrete should have their new concrete put during the summer while the weather is warm.
Click on the link below to know the various methods of placing concrete for different situations and locations:
Concrete Harms the Environment
A lot of people think that concrete is bad for the environment. Nonetheless, this is not the case. Concrete is so durable that it has a minimal impact on the environment. Also, when concrete is torn down or destroyed, it can be recycled and used again.
What are Concrete Finishes?
Concrete finishing is an important aspect because it gives the concrete’s surface a pleasing appearance after it has been cast. Concrete finishes result in a compressed, levelled, and smooth surface.
Several things affect the finishing of concrete. Higher water content, for example, makes finishing easier but reduces the strength of the concrete. Conversely, a higher aggregate proportion hardens concrete but makes finishing more difficult. Once you’ve chosen your aggregate and figured out your ratio, you can choose the best finish for your job.
You can produce a smooth surface with screeds and trowels, but it’s the most basic type of concrete finish. But we understand that you’re looking for something else! So here is a list of 8 types of concrete finishes that are stylish, durable, and suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
Different Types of Concrete Finishes
Following are the different types of concrete finishes
1. Trowel Finish Concrete or Float Finish Concrete
2. Broom Finish Concrete or Brush Finish Concrete
3. Stamped Concrete Finish
4. Swirl Finish Concrete
5. Exposed Aggregate Finish
6. Polished Concrete
7. Salt Concrete Finish
8. Coloured Finish Concrete
A. Pigmented Concrete Finish
B. Concrete Staining
Let’s have a detailed look-
01. Trowel Finish Concrete or Float Finish Concrete
A trowel finish concrete or a float finish concrete is the most popular and widely used finish. Once the concrete has been placed in the formwork and levelled, a trowel is used to smooth and fine-level the surface.
There are both manually operated and mechanically operated types of trowels available. When working on a large commercial or industrial project, it is often impractical to use a manual trowel, which is why power trowels are widely used as an alternative. Power trowels have blades that resemble large fans and rest directly on the concrete.
02. Broom Finish Concrete or Brush Finish Concrete
A broom finish concrete, also known as a rough texture finish concrete or brush concrete finish, is achieved by dragging a broom across the freshly troweled surface of the concrete. As it has a rough finish, concrete surfaces can be made more slip-resistant. After the concrete has been levelled, microscopic ridges are created by dragging a brush across the surface. These ridges improve grip, especially when the concrete is wet. In the presence of liquids, concrete surfaces without a broom finish become slippery and hazardous. Therefore, putting a broom finish concrete around the pools is recommended for safety purposes.
03. Stamped Concrete Finish
If you are looking for modern concrete finishes, a stamped concrete finish is the best option. In the stamped concrete finish, when the concrete is levelled, the desired designs are pressed into the surface using special tools. After being constructed, this type of concrete finish resembles the appearance of other materials, such as stones like slates or flagstones, brick, tile, or even wood, depending on the level of detail and craftsmanship employed. The flooring options for patios, car porches, driveways, and sidewalks have been expanded by the intelligent and inventive use of stamped concrete.
04. Swirl Finish Concrete
You can achieve an attractive surface with this modern concrete finish. In this swirl finish, concrete is spread in an evenly overlapping circular pattern. It enhances the surface’s visual appeal and makes walking and standing safer than a smooth concrete finish, particularly during the wet season. Hence, the swirl finish is more suitable for outdoor concrete finishes.
05. Exposed Aggregate Finish
Washing away the top layer of concrete creates an exposed aggregate finish, where the surfaces of the natural stone aggregates used in the concrete are visible. This was previously a popular aesthetic choice for ancient city sidewalks. Sidewalks develop cracks after some time. There is a sidewalk repair NYC provide service to repair cracks on concrete finish.
Although most concrete is made from cement, sand, gravel, and water, unique exposed concrete finishes can be created by incorporating other materials into the mix.
06. Polished Concrete Finish
Polished concrete finishes are made by grinding and polishing a concrete surface with the help of special tools and equipment. A penetrating chemical is then used to give the concrete different textures. These methods of concrete finishing are among the most common and useful. The polished concrete surfaces are incredibly durable and require minimal maintenance. Polished concrete is made from building materials that are already in use. It has a high reflectivity, which makes buildings brighter with natural light and saves energy by getting rid of the need for artificial lighting.
07. Salt Concrete Finish
One common type of concrete finish is the salt finish, which is the best option for an outdoor concrete finish and is frequently seen on pool decks. The process of creating a salt concrete finish involves dusting rock salt over wet concrete and then washing it away, leaving tiny pits behind.
The surface of the concrete can be given a salt finish by first rolling coarse rock salt crystals onto a freshly laid layer of concrete and then removing the salt from the surface using streams of water, once the concrete has solidified.
08. Coloured Finish Concrete
If you are looking for decorative concrete finishes, coloured concrete is the best option. Coloured concrete finishes are made by adding pigments to the mix or staining the concrete after it has hardened. This gives the concrete a nice look that fits in with its surroundings. Following is a detailed description of the pigmented concrete finish and concrete staining.
A. Pigmented Concrete Finish
It is simple to add colour to concrete by using pigments, which are simply blended into the concrete before it is poured. Pigments are typically provided as a liquid or in dissolvable packets that are “ready to mix.” And they are mixed in the mixer with the other components of the concrete in both cases.
In this type of decorative concrete finish, colour options are typically confined to “earthy” browns and tans, but greens, blues, and greys are also on the table. It is essential to keep coloured concrete properly sealed throughout its lifetime to prevent water ingress and subsequent fading of the pigment. This pigmented concrete finish is also suitable for outdoor concrete finishes.
B. Concrete Staining
Staining agents can also be used to change the colour of concrete. Acid is commonly used as a staining agent. Colours are typically limited to neon ranges that are bright but somewhat subdued, not unlike the pigments used in concrete. With water-based (acrylic) staining, it is possible to produce a far greater variety of colours, including black and white. No matter how old the concrete is, it can be stained. However, the results will be most vibrant if the stain is placed shortly after the concrete has been poured. In order to preserve the stained concrete, a sealer is typically applied thereafter. If you want to learn more about sealing and coating, as well as sealing compounds, follow the link below:
Care Tips for Concrete Finishes
After going through the trouble of sealing your decorative concrete, you should take the time to learn how to properly care for and keep these different concrete finishes at their best. While sealing helps to avoid stains and mould, it is still critical to wipe up spills and stains as soon as possible. Our recommended procedures for keeping concrete in good condition are outlined below.
- Rubber-backed mats shouldn’t be used on any type of decorative surfacing system because they can trap the rising vapours normally released by cementitious substrates, leading to the formation of a hard mineral deposit that can damage the surface and finish.
- Keep spills from being absorbed into the surface by cleaning them up as quickly as possible. The sealer will help keep the spill away, but cleaning up the mess as soon as possible is essential to avoid permanent damage.
- Do not place potted plants directly on your beautiful concrete finish; instead, make use of a plant dolly or plant stands with legs in order to ensure that there is sufficient ventilation between the planter and the floor finish. Fertilisers for plants can also leave permanent stains.
- Never clean with harsh chemicals like Xylene, Xylol, Methylene Chloride, Methol Glycol Ether, MEK, Acetone, Mineral Spirits, Paint Thinner, or any other solvent.
- By grading the soil/land around your decorative concrete slabs correctly, you can get water to flow away from them. It also includes water that flows down the roof and into the gutters and downspouts.
- Dust, grime and debris can be safely and easily removed with a garden blower, soft broom, or sweeper.
- To avoid damaging the floor with scratches and gouges, cover the legs of your furniture with protective caps.
Benefits of Concrete Finishes
The following are the benefits of concrete finishes:
01. Durability
Properly designed concrete finishes are more durable than other options.
02. Stiffness
Concrete-finished surfaces are extremely stiff, making them useful for supporting significant loads. They don’t deflect under stress, so you won’t have to worry about deformation.
03. Cost of Maintenance
Concrete finishes are low-maintenance and inexpensive to repair; thus, they save money over the long run.
04. Energy Efficiency
Concrete finishes have a high thermal mass. This improves the indoor atmosphere while using less energy to maintain a comfortable temperature.
05. High Fire Resistance
Because concrete is non-combustible, concrete finishes provide exceptional fire resistance for concrete surfaces.
06. Construction Speed
The installation of concrete finishing is easy and quick.
07. Water Resistance
Concrete finishes are water-resistant because they are non-absorbent.
Disadvantages of Concrete Finishes
The following are the disadvantages of concrete finishes:
- Concrete finishes are prone to hair cracks over a period of time.
- Concrete finishes get damaged by dampness seeping from below.
- Different finishes for concrete are susceptible to staining since it is porous.
- It feels hard under the feet.
Requires skilled labourers if used inside the house. In fact, it has almost become a dying art in India. Red oxide concrete flooring has become a rarity. However, the use of concrete to finish roads, basements, go-downs, and other structures is still prevalent.
Conclusion
Concrete is a very versatile material that may be used for various applications. However, as you can see, there are different types of concrete finishes to choose from, and the one you select will affect how nice your overall end product will be. So, before you start pouring concrete, it’s critical to figure out which finish style will work best for you.
With all this knowledge, do you want to give a new look to your old concrete floor? Here are some ideas for giving your concrete floor a new look with epoxy, polish, or staining.
How to Give Your Old Concrete Floor a Fresh-Look?
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Author Bio
Fathima Israr –