Many people choose concrete as their material of choice for their driveways, floors and even in interior design nowadays. As well as being a practical material, concrete looks high quality and professional, but it doesn’t have to look one dimensional. There are numerous concrete finishes that can be used in order to give an attractive and textured final appearance, elevating your concrete to the next level. Here are some of our favourites.
Broom Finish
One of the simpler finishes to achieve, a broom finish creates texture and dimension within your concrete, allowing different shades to be seen whilst looking neat thanks to the parallel lines that are created by the broom. This is achieved by dragging a broom across the surface of the concrete after it has been levelled and smoothed by a trowel, before the concrete has fully set. This creates microscopic ridges that give the textured appearance, however they also serve a purposeful use; the ridges offer better traction, creating a non-slip finish in comparison to smooth concrete, which can be much more slippery – especially when wet. This makes broom finishing ideal for concrete driveways or around the edge of outdoor swimming pools.
Exposed Aggregate Finish
All concrete contains aggregates, which are small chippings of natural stone (such as limestone or quartz), though other materials can also be included in this, like seashells or recycled tinted glass. These are not usually seen once concrete has been poured since they are so well incorporated into the concrete mix.
In order to reveal them, the top layer of cement paste can be washed away, uncovering the edges of all the aggregates within. Once the concrete has cured, this then has to be covered with a clear, high quality seal in order to protect the exposed aggregates. Concrete with an exposed aggregate finish can vary in appearance depending on what aggregates have been used. For example, some may be multicoloured and quite bright, whilst others could have aggregates all of a similar colour palette and appear more muted. Either way, this type of finish is popularly used for flooring in buildings (i.e. in doctors surgeries or schools).
Stamped Concrete Finish
Also known as imprinted or textured concrete, stamped concrete is intended to create a design that mimics other materials, such as natural stones, brick or even wood. The reason for this is to create a design with aesthetically pleasing value, whilst keeping the strength and integrity of the concrete.
Special panels with inlaid motifs (of the desired design), known as concrete stamps, are placed on level concrete while it is still curing, leaving the imprinted design cured into it once these stamps have been removed. Special stains can then be used to add colour to the concrete and accentuate the impressed pattern, further resembling whichever material it has been designed to look like. This method is very popular for patios and walkways thanks to its simultaneously attractive appearance and durable qualities.
Concrete Suppliers
If you’re in need of concrete for your next project, Forth Valley Concrete offers ready mix concrete for both domestic and commercial use. As well as selling premium concrete mixes, we offer our services to assist in the creation of concrete bases and driveways throughout Glasgow and Central Scotland.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements.