Different concrete finishes: what will suit your space?
Author: Tim and Tarryn Looker, the founders, directors and plant-loving humans behind Radar.
Considering concrete for your home, courtyard or driveway?
Easy done, right? The truck rocks up, pours the concrete, smooths it out, and voila.
Well, not so fast.
These days, concrete isn’t just available in 50 shades of plain old grey. The real magic happens in the finish you use. It’s the reason why some concrete appears rustic and textured, while others are glamorous and sophisticated.
And that’s the beauty of concrete – it’s incredibly versatile. You can mould it into any shape you like and use a finish that suits the mood of your space. Not only that, it’s also durable, resilient, affordable and safe.
So, let’s take a peek at different concrete finishes so you can find your perfect match.
Trowel finish concrete
And voila – you’ve joined the crazy pave craze.
Ironically, it requires organisation to create a random and unstructured look (you want it to be fun and playful, but not an absolute mess). The best way to do this is to avoid cutting the stones (natural is best) and make sure they have consistent gaps between them.
Stipple finish concrete
A stipple finish uses a specialised stipple trowel to create a swirl-like effect. The texture is achieved by working in circular motions, overlapping at the edges.
When should you use a stipple finish?
Stipple finish is perfect for outdoor applications. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it’s great for areas exposed to weather. The textured surface also provides a safe walking option, adding more grip than the smoother alternatives.
Grind and seal finish
As the name suggests, grind and seal is when the concrete is ground back and coated with a sealant. The result is a sleek, glossy and sophisticated finish.
In fact, a grind and seal floor is so aesthetically pleasing, it’s often confused with a polished concrete floor (the untrained eye will barely notice the difference between the two).
But there are a few key differences.
A grind and seal finish is less labour intensive and costly than the polished alternative.
It also achieves consistent results between floors (so you can be confident of what the floor will turn out like – which isn’t always the case for polished floors).
What’s more, you can tweak the grind and seal process depending on the finish you’d like (for example, grinding back the concrete more or adding a surface stain).
When should you use a grind and seal finish?
Grind and seal is a popular option for pathways, courtyards and pool areas with a course sealer. Anywhere you’d like a striking and cost-effective floor, grind and seal is the way to go.
Polished concrete finish
Similar to a grind and seal floor, a polished concrete floor has a high gloss and aesthetically pleasing finish. The main difference is the method for getting there. Polished concrete is achieved by grinding and honing the slab, then it’s polished using industrial diamonds.
In a nutshell, the diamond grits are continuously applied until the floor has reached your desired level of shine (ranging from matte to high gloss).
In terms of durability, polished concrete takes the cake (compared to its grind and seal alternative).
When should you use a polished concrete finish?
Given its durability, polished concrete is a good choice for high traffic areas. It’s a popular option for driveways, footpaths and outdoor areas.
Burnish concrete finish
But wait, there’s another shiny option.
Burnish concrete involves using a specialised trowel for a smooth and durable finish. Instead of grinding down the surface, burnishing involves a whole lot more troweling to absorb the moisture, giving it a stunning marble finish.
And since there’s no grinding in the process, you’ll find there’s no aggregate exposed in the finished product, plus a darker finish due to the compaction.
The result is an incredibly hard-wearing surface with a soft surface sheen. Schmick.
When should you use a burnish finish?
Burnish concrete is popular in a whole range of landscaping applications. We’re talking benchtops, BBQ areas, pizza oven benches, custom seating, pool decks, courtyards and floating stairs. It’s loved for its unique lustre finish (plus it’s a cost-effective alternative to polishing).
But a word of warning: burnish finishes can go wrong. Quickly. Since you won’t be grinding down the surface, the concrete slab must be poured perfectly to get a nice finish.
So, if this is your first shot at burnishing, you might want to call in some experts (oh, hey).
Speaking of experts.
At Radar Landscapes, we deliver a range of outdoor concrete applications, whether it’s a courtyard, bench, pool area or garden path. We see your backyard a little left of centre, bringing our creativity and artistic flair to every job we do. So, if you’re looking for a concreting job or landscaping that’s the envy of your neighbourhood – we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch for a custom quote.