
In addition to the use of the normal concrete materials (cement, sand, gravel and water), other materials may be added into the mix to provide exposed finishes with unique looks. This provides an attractive and slip resistant finish. Exposed Aggregate FinishĪn exposed finish, once commonly found in sidewalks of old cities, is created by washing the top layer of concrete away, which exposes the edges of the natural stone aggregates that are mixed into the concrete. Concrete TextureĪside from broom finishing, there are several other means of creating textures on the surface of concrete, some of which are listed below. Concrete surfaces without a broom finish tend to be slippery and dangerous when liquids are present on the surface. Once a smooth surface has been created, a broom is dragged across the surface of the concrete to create small ridges that provide for traction control, particularly when the concrete surface is wet. This is done after placement, leveling, and troweling of concrete. In order to make concrete surfaces slip resistant, a broom finish can be applied. A specific edging tool is used to accomplish this task, and requires quite a bit of practice to master. The image below shows an operator riding a power trowel, which is working to smooth the concrete floor surface.Ī riding power trowel finishing a concrete surface EdgingĮdging of the concrete is conducted to provide rounded or beveled edges on the finished concrete as well as to create joints where needed in the surface to help minimize cracking. These power trowels are available in both walk behind and riding versions. Power trowels resemble large fans with the blades sitting directly against the concrete. Power trowels are available and are typically used on large commercial and industrial projects where using hand trowels is not feasible.

To smooth concrete manually a hand trowel, which is typically composed of a flat steel blade with attached handle, is pushed and pulled across the concrete surface.
#Broom finish concrete manual#
This can be accomplished through manual or mechanical means. Once the concrete has been tooled with a screed, concrete finishers utilize trowels to smooth and fine-level the surface of the concrete. Screeds often consist of long pieces of metal or wood that are pulled and pushed across the concrete surface to remove excess concrete and fill in gaps in the concrete surface. Immediately after concrete has been placed in forms, concrete finishers utilize a screed to level out the concrete surface. The most basic type of concrete finish is a smooth surface created through the use of screeds and trowels.
