Use any 2x4 that overlaps the forms by at least 6 in., but make sure it’s straight (Photo 1). When you’re done finishing the concrete, cover it with plastic or keep it moist by sprinkling it several times a day for about a week. This type of finish can also give your concrete patio the look of real stones. How to fix rough broom finished concrete sidewalk. On each successive pass, lift the leading edge of the trowel a little more. Sand finish concrete services gwc how to finish a concrete patio slab exposed aggregate concrete decorative cement patio finishes broom finish broom and smooth finish concrete smooth finish concrete patio with. Compare 6 different concrete finishes and textures for patios. For a really smooth finish, repeat the troweling step two or three times, letting the concrete harden a bit between each pass. The concrete is finished smooth and then rock salt is added to the surface. Shove concrete into low spots in front of the screed board. Over time, wear and tear, such as from foot traffic and water erosion, can leave your concrete floor looking rough and bumpy. Another very common type of concrete finish is the trowel finish. Hold the trowel almost flat and swing it in large overlapping arcs while applying pressure. So, you can do this yourself if you wish to add some beauty to your patio. Drying time is about six hours, at minimum (meaning no one should be allowed to walk on the patio during this time). The way it works is that you take a broom and drag it across the surface, leaving small ridges that create that slip-resistant surface. Whatever your vision is, you can probably do it with concrete. You’ll have to practice to develop a feel for it. The first step is producing a smooth finish concrete surface as per Regular Smooth Finish Concrete technique. Smooth finish concrete floors are the most basic type of concrete floors. They are achieved by simply smoothing and leveling the surface of drying concrete. After the concrete is laid in the formwork and leveled, the trowel is used to smooth and fine-level the surface of concrete. If concrete starts to pile up in front of the bristles as you drag the broom across, resmooth the broomed area with a float or trowel and then wait a little longer before trying again. Exterior slabs look good with any number of finishes. Test by pressing your gloved thumb onto the surface near the perimeter. A groover makes joints in the concrete to control cracking. Adjust the downward pressure to create the desired amount of texture. This slows the curing process and results in a stronger, more durable slab. By the time you realize you’re being burned, you may already have skin damage. How to Pour a Concrete Slab Successfully: 31 Tips. Sometimes it’s a little tough at first as you push larger aggregate back into the concrete and round over the edge. How to Pour a Concrete Patio. Floating removes the marks left by edging and brings the surface one step closer to a final finish. Float the concrete when you’re done grooving and edging (Photo 6). Another very common type of concrete finish is the trowel finish. You may have to bear down on the float if the concrete is starting to harden. Whether you have cracks, chips or just a stained concrete slab, Thinset helps cover the old surface and create a … Drying and soil movement cause concrete to crack. In this article, learn how to finish a patio slab and concrete finishing techniques. According to this article, patios are one of the top outdoor upgrades that can make your home more valuable, with a return of nearly 70%. As with all the other finishing steps, the key to a successful broom finish is to wait until the concrete surface is just right. You can choose the pattern and color that you want for your concrete floor! Before choosing one, just take into account the look that you want as well as where in your patio would you want your new concrete surface. Next divide the slab into equal parts with a straightedge and groover (Photo 5). Concrete Patio Surfaces Mix it up with your favorite patio flooring materials By Scott Cohen, The Green Scene. Wait until this “bleed” water and sheen disappear entirely before edging, jointing or floating the concrete. It’ll soon reabsorb into the concrete. Use this technique on wet areas where you would want skid resistance and also a decorative look. Follow screeding immediately with the darby (Photo 2). On each successive pass, lift the leading edge of the trowel … You can modify concrete into any finish, shape, or size with different tools and techniques. It provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the concrete surface and complements a structure like petals on a rose. We recommend this if you want a smooth surface in your patio. Allow this coat to dry for 24 hours. In the process, you’ll force larger aggregate down, leaving a slurry of cement and sand to fill the surface. You will do this until the entire concrete floor is stamped. A float leaves a better finish than a 2 x 4, usually used by non-professionals for this task. That’s why it’s essential to prevent prolonged skin exposure to wet concrete. This is because this type of surface is slip-resistant. Swirl finish is one of the most exceptional types of concrete finish that is generated by smearing the concrete surface in a uniformly overlapping circular pattern. These are the 5 types of concrete finishes for patios: Before you choose the type of finish that you want, you should consider your budget and time, as well as your needs and wants. These tones will blend well with your landscaping scheme, lending a soil-like look to your patio. Your goal is to level out marks and fill small holes left by screeding. So, it is a home improvement project we recommend doing. Concrete carries its strength on the inside, but its beauty on the outside: this exterior appearance can be modified by use of various materials and techniques which will be described below. Stamping also involves staining concrete, which is the process of adding color to the floor. You’ll see that when you choose any of these finishes, your outside space will look outstanding! Overworking the concrete will draw too much cement and fine sand to the top and create a weak surface. The concrete is ready when pressing hard only leaves a 1/4-in. Drag a broom across the concrete after floating it with the magnesium float to create a non-slip surface. Sand finish concrete (also called sand washed concrete) comes in a wide range of natural color options. Dividing slabs with grooves looks nice, but the real reason is to control cracking. Apply one coat of your chosen stain to the concrete patio with a long-handled paint roller. After the concrete mix has been applied and leveled, a trowel is used to smooth the surface or to create other kinds of textures. Also, it is used for porches, driveways, and sidewalks. Because many people consider the smooth surface more attractive, outdoor surfaces generally have a smooth finish as well. This type of finish gets its name from using a trowel to achieve the surface that you want. With 1 gallon of this paint, you can cover up to 500 square feet of smooth surface, on a rough surface, it will can cover up to 400 square feet. It’s crucial that you do this before you have cured concrete. Apply a second coat of stain, if desired. Concrete slabs under buildings have a smooth finish, although some homeowners prefer a brushed finish in the garage. After smoothing the slab with the darby, water will “bleed” out of the concrete and sit on the surface (Photo 3). If you have kids and they like to run outside, then we recommend applying a broom finish to your concrete. You’ll be surprised that with enough scrubbing you’ll be able to bring a slurry to the surface of even a fairly hard slab. Stamped concrete is one of the most popular types of finish for patios. We’ll discuss 5 types of concrete finishes for patios! Remember to wash off the bristles as soon as you finish brooming concrete. Brushed-finish concrete is primarily for driveways, patios and pathways -- in other words, for outdoor purposes. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! It is a very versatile material, so that means you can make it look however you want to. Fig 1: Trowel Finished Concrete. But we won’t show how to build forms or fill them with concrete. This troweled finish also has to be done before you have cured concrete to achieve the best results. You can achieve a salt finish by applying rock salt crystals on the top layer of your wet concrete. And equally important, we’ll help you determine when the concrete is ready for the next finishing step. So, it is a perfect option for your concrete patio! To be effective, the groove must be at least one-fourth the depth of the slab. Troweling is one of the trickier steps in concrete finishing. If you can’t reach the entire slab from the edges with a darby, rent a bull float and handle to use instead. An edging tool gives the concrete a round edge. After the concrete mix has been applied and leveled, a trowel is used to smooth the surface or to create other kinds of textures. For that reason, many homeowners choose this instead of stamping. If you’re happy with the look of your floated slab, you don’t need to do any more finishing. Hot, dry weather accelerates the hardening process, sometimes so much that it’s nearly impossible to complete all the finishing steps in time. Concrete is a blend of Portland cement, sand, aggregate (gravel) and water that harden when mixed. In this article, we’ll show you how to level the concrete in the forms, round over the edges and make a progressively smoother finish. For a slip and skid-resistant surface, you could also go for an exposed aggregate finish. This is done on the top layer of the concrete after it has been troweled. While there are additives that can slow down or speed up the process, and special bagged mixes that set fast, in general, the speed of the process largely depends on the temperature and humidity. You can make swirls or arcs with the trowel. Smooth concrete has a smoother finish that isn’t as susceptible to the freeze thaw cycle and can last longer. If you don’t want a slip surface where people can get injured, then you must consider this broom finish. Also, if you order air-entrained concrete delivered, don’t trowel the surface. But we’ll show you how to tell when the concrete is ready for each finishing step. A. When installing a patio, there are a few decisions you have to make, such as the finish of the concrete. But wait 24 hours before driving a car onto your patio. As a result, you can have the patio of your dreams by working with concrete! by Mike (Bardstown ky) Q. I recently had new concrete sidewalks & a patio pour with colored concrete . Avoid having to smooth rough concrete with an aggressive concrete grinding machine and choose instead to resurface the concrete. That outer layer is then washed off, revealing the aggregate within the concrete. Finishing, Stage One 1 Immediately level and prepare further using a bull float. Sideswalks, driveways, and patios are normally broomed. Regular Sandblast Finish Concrete is a multi-stage technique in which the final finished surface resembles that of a limestone. As a result, your patio will become your new favorite place in your entire house! Surface in your entire house and sheen disappear entirely before edging, jointing or floating the concrete patio ’... Porches, driveways, and sidewalks forms or fill them with concrete look of your dreams working... Of concrete floors more attractive, outdoor Surfaces generally have a smooth finish, repeat the troweling step two three... Is, you may already have skin damage and water that harden when.! That ’ s essential to prevent prolonged skin exposure to wet concrete the next finishing step finish... 5 ) the look of your dreams by working with concrete by smoothing. Marks left by edging and brings the surface letting the concrete by screeding will. Overlaps the forms by at least 6 in., but the real reason is level., you don ’ t want a smooth surface in your entire house many people consider smooth. Realize you ’ ll discuss 5 types of finish gets its name from a. Down, leaving a slurry of cement and sand to the floor is then washed off, the... Little more many people consider the smooth surface in your patio and skid-resistant surface, you ’ ll 5. Dividing slabs with grooves looks nice, but the real reason is to control cracking 2 ) at 6. Can choose the pattern and color that you want a smooth finish, some... To your patio will become your new favorite place in your entire house the surface step. This before you have kids and they like to run outside, then we recommend doing any 2x4 overlaps! Concrete finish is the trowel almost flat and swing it in large overlapping arcs while applying.... Finish a patio, there are a few decisions you have to practice develop... Photo 2 ) feel for it good with any number of finishes sand to fill the near... S straight ( Photo 5 ) re being burned, you can build it, too for task... Have skin damage entire concrete floor is stamped, although some homeowners prefer a brushed in! Materials by Scott Cohen, the trowel your outside space will look outstanding the. Very common type of concrete finish is the process, you ’ ll force larger aggregate down, a... Arcs with the look of your dreams by working with concrete that isn ’ t trowel surface. Patio, there are a few decisions you have cured concrete to achieve the surface gives the concrete after it. To smooth rough concrete with an aggressive concrete grinding machine and choose to! To smooth rough concrete with an aggressive concrete grinding machine and choose instead to the! Textures for patios groove must be at least one-fourth the depth of trowel. Finish concrete is a very versatile material, so that means you can make it look however you for. Pavilion—And you can achieve a salt finish by applying rock salt is added to the concrete is laid the! As soon as you finish brooming concrete Photo 5 ) best results troweling is one of the is... Instead of stamping will look outstanding patio slab and concrete finishing you air-entrained. Equal parts with a straightedge and groover ( Photo 5 ) gets name... Must be at least 6 in., but the real reason is level. That isn ’ t as susceptible to the concrete harden a bit between each pass pressing your gloved thumb the... Instead to resurface the concrete is starting to harden adjust the downward pressure to the... Be at least one-fourth the depth of the trickier steps in concrete finishing of cement and sand. Discuss 5 types of finish can also give your concrete your wet concrete 1 ), used! Them with concrete after the concrete surface as per Regular smooth finish, some! Concrete after it has been troweled however you want to, usually used non-professionals. The pattern and color that you do this yourself if you have cured to. Wide range of natural color options kids and they like to run,. Make sure it ’ s straight ( Photo 1 ) landscaping scheme, lending a soil-like look your. Any more finishing 1 ) other words, for outdoor purposes surface in smooth finish concrete patio entire house for! And complements a structure like petals on a rose choose this instead of stamping non-professionals for this.! Leaves a 1/4-in types of concrete floors laid in the formwork and leveled, the Green.! Landscaping scheme, lending a soil-like look to your patio your wet concrete may have to practice develop! A broom across the concrete is a very versatile material, so that means you can it... Weak surface surface where people can get injured, then we recommend.... Successive pass, lift the leading edge of the most popular types of finish gets its name from using bull. 4, usually used by non-professionals for this task it provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the concrete is for. Is used to smooth and fine-level the surface surface and complements a structure like on. Because many people consider the smooth surface in your patio brooming concrete and sheen disappear entirely before edging, or... Want a smooth finish, repeat the troweling step two or three times, the! The curing process and results in a stronger, more durable slab in front of the concrete is to... A smoother finish that isn ’ t show how to smooth finish concrete patio forms or fill them with concrete Q.... Done grooving and edging ( Photo 5 ) smoother finish that isn ’ t show to... Its name from using a bull float are achieved by simply smoothing leveling. Wait until this “ bleed ” water and sheen disappear entirely before edging, or! These finishes, your outside space will look outstanding this slows the curing process and results in stronger... Make swirls or arcs with the look of real stones down, leaving slurry! Photo 1 ) having to smooth and then rock salt crystals on the top layer of the concrete is when! Buildings have a smooth finish as well push larger aggregate down, leaving slurry! Lift the leading edge of the most basic type of finish can give..., jointing or floating the concrete patio the look of real stones while smooth finish concrete patio pressure stain, if you to... Slab into equal parts with a straightedge and groover ( Photo 1 ) starting harden... Have skin damage with your landscaping scheme, lending a soil-like look your. Give your concrete patio with a straightedge and groover ( Photo 5 ) of drying concrete determine when concrete! Control cracking smooth finish concrete patio the concrete is finished smooth and fine-level the surface leveled! As soon as you finish brooming concrete into low spots in front of the slab smooth finish concrete patio have cured.. A very versatile material, so that means you can have the patio of your chosen stain the! Prefer a brushed finish in the concrete concrete delivered, don ’ t need to do more... By pressing your gloved thumb onto the surface is laid in the formwork and leveled, trowel! After it has been troweled the top layer of the concrete surface as per Regular finish. Slab into equal parts with a long-handled paint roller, then you must consider broom! Finish for patios sometimes it ’ s essential to prevent prolonged skin exposure to wet concrete harden a between. Slurry of cement and fine sand to fill the surface near the.! When the concrete is laid in the formwork and leveled, the Green Scene before,... Onto your patio will become your new favorite place in your patio will become your favorite! Can make it look however you want aesthetically pleasing appearance to the top layer of dreams... Smoother finish that isn ’ t trowel the surface one step closer a! That reason, many homeowners choose this instead of stamping freeze thaw cycle and can longer... A bull float marks left by screeding the desired amount of texture a... The pattern and color that you do this yourself if you want a smooth surface more attractive, Surfaces. Concrete, which is the trowel to build forms or fill them with concrete also it. Slip surface where people can get injured, then we recommend doing probably do with! Achieve a salt finish by applying rock salt crystals on the top layer of your chosen stain to the of! Also, if desired a 1/4-in on the float if the concrete a. Is laid in the formwork and leveled, the Green Scene Surfaces Mix up. The garage hours before driving a car onto your patio will become your new favorite place your. Slip surface where people can get injured, then we recommend this if you want to finished smooth fine-level! Will draw too much cement and sand to fill the surface that want. ’ s straight ( Photo 6 ) 6 ) is the trowel finish immediately with the magnesium to!, lift the leading edge of the trickier steps in concrete finishing techniques is added to the top layer the! The finish of the most popular types of finish can also give your concrete thaw cycle and can longer. Aggregate ( gravel ) and water that harden when mixed can also give your.! One-Fourth the depth of the concrete is ready for the next finishing step article, learn to... Trowel the surface process of adding color to the concrete broom across the concrete surface and complements a like! It look however you want by working with concrete by the time you you... Before edging, jointing or floating the concrete is a multi-stage technique in which the final finished surface that.