Laying out concrete can be more complicated than one might think. A common misconception with laying concrete might be that it’s a “pour and go” basis, but that’s really not the case. There are different styles and each concrete layout is designed differently. It is different in the way that technique is involved as well as the tools. Therefore, before finishing concrete, one must be able to identify what kind of finishing they want to achieve. Here, we’ll explain the different kinds of finishing for concrete.
Importance of properly laying concrete
Remember that your project is not finished without proper “finishing”. This is considered to be the final touch to your buildings, establishments, basketball courts, garage, etc. Technically, this is the process of smoothening out any unwanted bumps or protuberance that may occur when the slab is poured out.
Properly laying out concrete takes a big toll in regards to the quality of the said project. Besides, who wants to see bumpy concrete after paying millions of dollars. It’s the small details that count after all. You don’t want people tripping all over the place, would you?
There’s more beneath the surface when laying out concrete. According to Ice Flooring, concrete should be finished as it dries. Give it at least 30-40 mins after pouring.
The different kinds of finishing for concrete
Yes, we mentioned that there are different kinds depending on what kind of project you’re working on, so let’s get to know each one. Bet you didn’t know this one but there are also types of basic concrete to choose from! And here you thought it was just mixed mud huh? Well, surprise, surprise, there are actually a couple of kinds to choose from.
- Portland cement is a fine powder made from a burned, ground limestone and clay mixture that chemically reacts with water and hardens
- An aggregate (usually sand and rock)
- Water
Salt finishing
This kind of finishing is mostly saturated in swimming pools or any project that is going to be wet. Technically, Salt Finishing will be a process of applying rock salt to the surface of wet surfaces as the main means of “finishing”. Think of it this way, it’s a given that wet projects such as pools or ponds tend to have a slippery surface when wet, right? Having a Salt Finish over can let you have the grip you need to keep you from slipping.
Stained concrete
One of the most appealing finishing techniques that can grace your concretes is probably this. As its name suggests, stained concrete can be a beautiful finishing when done properly. Ideally, this adds color (although very subtle) that gives depth to your grounding. And don’t worry about the colors! There’s a lot to choose from.
But take note, stained concrete is usually preferred to apply in ordinary concrete rather than one that already has color.
Stamped concrete finish
Texture is its middle name. Stamped concrete finishing is probably one of the most popular ways to decorate your concrete surface. In this way, you can play around with a hundred different designs since you have so much to choose from. Ideally, its goal is to make your establishment have the illusion of using another building material namely stone, brick, tile, or other patterns. Clever, don’t you think?
Polished finish
It achieves a clean and classy finish that is mostly seen in museums or industrial styled buildings. Yes, polishing does sound pretty easy at first, but it actually takes special tools and chemicals to really put that shine on that concrete. Ideally, this will look like a flat surface without much texture but, you will surely find a shiny surface that you’ll surely appreciate.
Colored finishing
This will mainly entertain the use of different pigments in stones. You’ll most likely see this kind of finishing in kid-friendly areas, such as playgrounds, or kindergartens. Technically, they use colors to pigment the concrete that they are about to lay. This can either be a mixture of different colors or one solid color. Be as it may, the finishing product will surely be an attractive one.
Troweled finishing
This is one of the most popular ways of finishing concrete. Actually, this type is used in major types of applications. A trowel is a tool made especially for smoothing out concrete. There are different types of trowels that you can buy online. You can either use a hand trowel or a power tower.
But before you decide, both have different specialties. Most workers prefer to use a power trowel, for example, when the construction is vast. Using a hand trowel would likely be very unwise in such situations since it will cost time and manpower. On the other hand, a hand trowel is much appreciated in small projects that can easily be done within an arm’s length.
Want to know more about construction and tools?
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Much appreciation to The Constructor and Civiconcepts for providing insight into our topic today.