Concrete Finishes: Finding The Best One

Are you looking at the different concrete finishes for your Bellingham project? Whether it’s a driveway, patio, or high-traffic floor, the right finish adds durability and style. 

Concrete is a versatile, long-lasting material that meets practical design needs, and the finish you choose will extend the surface's life and make maintenance easier. 

Let’s explore different concrete finishes to find the perfect balance of durability and aesthetics for your space. Keep reading to discover the best fit for your project.

Common Types of Concrete Finishes

There are many concrete finishes for every project. Here are the common ones to help you choose the right one for your needs

Sand finish

Sand finish concrete creates a fine, textured surface resembling sandpaper, achieved by troweling sand onto freshly poured concrete. It offers excellent slip resistance and is ideal for pool decks, pavement, and other outdoor spaces. 

Popular for residential and commercial projects, this finish provides a smooth, uniform look while highlighting the natural beauty of stone and gravel beneath the surface. Sand finish concrete offers a budget-friendly solution, providing a subtle texture that improves the safety and traction of your yard.

Stamped finish

A stamped finish mimics the appearance of brick, stone, or wood by imprinting patterns onto freshly poured concrete. It's popular for patios, pool decks, and walkways due to its customizable designs and affordability compared to real stone or wood. However, stamped concrete can crack and isn’t suited for heavy loads. 

Professional work, using color hardeners and release agents, is essential. Regular maintenance ensures durability, and working with experts guarantees high-quality, lasting results for decorative outdoor spaces.

Stained finish

Applying pigments or dyes on concrete surfaces, regardless of the color, is what stained concrete finishes are all about. They can create a variety of effects, from subtle hues to bold designs, and are ideal for enhancing patios, floors, or pathways. 

There are two main types, water-based stains for softer colors and acid-based stains for more vibrant, long-lasting results. Stained concrete is a durable, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly option that allows for custom patterns while reducing the need for replacement or additional materials.

Broom finish

A broom finish is created by dragging a broom over freshly poured concrete, producing a textured surface that offers increased traction and slip resistance. This makes it ideal for outdoor areas like driveways, sidewalks, patios, and pool decks. 

While not the most decorative option, it helps hide imperfections and minor cracks over time. A broom finish is durable and practical but can collect water and dirt in the ridges. For added style, swirl finishes can create more intricate patterns with increased texture.

Exposed Aggregate finish

An exposed aggregate finish is created by removing the top layer of concrete and uncovering the decorative stones, gravel, or sand beneath the surface. This textured finish adds visual appeal and is commonly used for outdoor spaces like driveways, sidewalks, patios, and pool decks. 

It provides a durable, slip-resistant surface with a unique look. While more expensive than other finishes, sealing it properly ensures longevity. We can customize exposed aggregate finishes using natural stones or recycled materials, offering a stylish yet practical choice for outdoor areas.

Smooth finish

A smooth concrete finish is created by troweling the surface to achieve a flat, polished look, hence its other name troweled finish. Hand trowels or ride-on machines can be used to create a smooth concrete finish. 

This finish is ideal for indoor areas like floors, garages, and commercial spaces due to its easy maintenance and clean appearance. It's a budget-friendly option, quick to create, and versatile for various applications. However, it’s not recommended for outdoor spaces, as it can become slippery when wet.

Polished finish

Grinding and refining concrete with diamond abrasives creates a smooth, reflective surface known as polished concrete. This durable and low-maintenance finish is popular in indoor spaces like warehouses, offices, retail stores, and residential areas. 

It offers a modern, sleek look but is unsuitable for outdoor use or heavy traffic areas. Chemical hardeners and coatings are often applied for added protection. Polished concrete's aesthetic appeal and versatility make it a favorite for both industrial and residential interiors.

Concrete Finishes Honorable Mentions

Stenciled finish

A stenciled finish is a decorative technique that uses paper stencils to create patterns on concrete surfaces. It is an affordable alternative to stamped finishes and is commonly used for patios, walkways, and landscaping. 

Stencils are placed on freshly poured concrete to imprint designs like brick, tile, or stone. 

While less expensive and easier to install than stamped finishes, stenciled concrete is less durable and prone to cracking. Despite this, it adds an attractive decorative touch to concrete surfaces.

Salt finish

A salt finish is about pressing coarse rock salt into freshly poured concrete and washing it off once the surface sets. This method adds a unique, slip-resistant texture, making it ideal for pool decks and areas near water. 

It’s visually appealing, budget-friendly, and can be customized with color for an elegant touch. While the finish enhances traction, small pits can collect water and lead to cracking if not properly sealed, so regular maintenance is required for long-term durability.

Epoxy resin finish

If protecting and updating concrete floors is your goal, then epoxy resin finishes are your best pick. Applied in layers, they create a seamless, high-gloss, and durable surface resistant to moisture, grease, scuffing, and chemicals. 

Commonly used indoors, epoxy coatings come in various colors and styles, offering a high-end look. They are also ideal for high-traffic areas and provide long-lasting protection with a polished, professional appearance.

While stunning and durable, epoxy finishes come with a higher price due to how labor-intensive the work is.

Colored finish

Integrally colored concrete infuses pigments into the cement mix before pouring, creating long-lasting, fade-resistant colors that blend well with natural surroundings. 

Available in liquid, granular, or powdered forms, earth tones are often used to achieve a more natural look compared to standard gray concrete. 

This method ensures the color runs through the whole slab, preventing chipping or fading. Colored concrete can be as it is or styled with stamping or broom finishing.

Choosing the Right Concrete Finish

Concrete finishes add both strength and style. Whether it's a basic trowel finish or a fancy epoxy, there are many choices. Indoors, smooth finishes give a sleek appearance, while outside, broom finishes prevent slipping. 

Decorative touches like exposed aggregate or stamped designs allow for custom looks. Your project’s specific needs and goals will greatly determine the best type of concrete finish to use.

Overwhelmed? Puget Sound Concrete, LLC is here for you! As one of the top concrete experts in Bellingham, we can provide guidance on what finish is the best match for your project. Dial 360-927-1860 today and experience our unbeatable concrete finishes.