Concrete Finishes

Broom Finish

A broom is dragged across the surface of the concrete after it has been smoothed to create small ridges that provide traction control.  The ridges provide a rough and slip resistant surface for spaces that prioritize safety such as swimming pools and walkways.  Swirl concrete finishes are an advanced type of broom finish that add more finesse to a broom pattern finish.  It is produced by swirling a broom to create uniform swirled imprints, arc patterns, or other similar geometric designs.  The depth and width of these ridges on concrete broom finish types can be altered by choosing different sizes of bristles.

Finishing options  include a light or coarse broomed texture, and even adding a small amount of color to the concrete is way cool and affordable.  The finished product may be sealed to add a lasting ‘wet look’ effect.  A broom finish is the most common and economically priced application.

Smooth Trowel Finish

Experienced craftsmen with hand trowels or power trowels create a smooth final finish, often seen in garages or interior living spaces in combination with scoring (shallow cuts in the surface, often in grid patterns).

Stamped

Stamped concrete finishes, also known as textured or imprinted concrete, are a type of outdoor concrete finish that is created by pressing plastic, wood, or metal panels on freshly leveled concrete.  The result is a type of concrete finish that mimics the look of bricks, natural stone, tiles, and slate.  It is more expensive than the broom finish, but the results are often more worthwhile.

Stamped concrete finishes are a creative way to decorate outdoor spaces.  When color is applied to these patterns, the effect can be mesmerizing.  Workers responsible for stamping concrete require special training and professional equipment to work with hardeners, release agents, and forms.

For stamped texture there is a variety of selective imprints available; brick, cobblestone, slate, etc.  Multi tones can be created by combining a base color concrete and then using a separate color releasing agent when stamping.  A clear or dyed sealer can be applied for a finished wet look.

Sand Finish

Sand finish is a somewhat new technique. By using different special exposing agents, we can selectively control the depth and texture of the sand surface grit; fine, medium, or coarse.  Additionally, a variety of colored sand and silica elements that may be additionally sealed to embed in the surface and can be used in combination with the base color.  Sealer brightens the base color and provides a wet look.

Salt Finish

Salt finishes are used around wet areas such as swimming pools. Rock salt is applied to an uncured concrete surface. As the concrete cures and the salt makes small pits in the concrete.  The salt is then washed away to give a fine, slip-resistant surface.

The surface of this kind of concrete finish is marked by tiny pits that increase traction and provide a decorative slip resistant surface that is widely used for pool decks.

Exposed Aggregate

The exposed aggregate finish is a popular type of textured concrete finish.  It is produced by removing the top layer of freshly poured cement to uncover coarse decorative aggregate.  It is common practice to use richly colored natural stones such as quartz, granite, basalts, and limestone for a truly decorative look.  Alternatives also include recycled glass or seashells.  Adding color to the concrete also allows the rock texture to pop with contrast.

Black base with exposed finish can be very attractive.  This product is rinsed at time of finish to expose the base rock aggregate and is re-rinsed and washed with muriatic acid 28 days after cure time to cleanse the aggregate and remove efflorescence discoloration from the background base. Including an exterior sealer on this product creates a glistening sparkle on the rocks and provides an overall wet look.

Polished Finish

A polished finish on a concrete surface is achieved through the use of heavy-duty machines fitted with diamond abrasives that grind down a concrete surface to the desired degree of shine and smoothness. Chemical hardeners and special coatings are also added during the polishing process to help protect against water damage and stains.

Many modern industrial-style interiors are built with a polished concrete finish because it’s both beautiful and durable. The high degree of customization makes polished concrete an ideal finish for a variety of applications.

Acid Washing & Color Staining

Acid washing is a requirement after the concrete has cured sufficiently, in order to remove surface efflorescence and to open the pores before sealing.  This will help the sealer to penetrate and result in a superior bond between the sealer and the surface.

Acid concrete stain is a reactive coloring product that works by penetrating the surface and chemically altering the concrete.  This can result in interesting and artful final patterns, but comes with a disclaimer that the patterns and final color are notoriously difficult to control — and practically impossible to change!

Vertical Retaining Wall Design

Create a Custom Façade 

The ultimate cover-up, a façade treatment completely transforms your wall. There are tons of choices including different wood claddings, faux stone products, exterior stucco products, various types of vertical stamp textures, slate, brick or even cedar shingles.  The options are only limited by your budget and creativity. 

Built-Ins 

Depending on how you use your garden space, you can consider a number of built-in options. This could include a deck, a “boardwalk”, free-floating structures, a walk-up bar, benches, etc. 

Raised Garden Beds 

Cover the wall with a raised garden bed using a material that appeals to you such as interlocking pavers. You can then plant an assortment of plants or shrubs that will cover the wall behind. You can even consider doing a vegetable garden, herb garden or strawberry patch. 

It just takes a little creativity to come up with ideas to enhance and add beauty to a retaining wall.