Concrete is one of the best materials for your hardscaping projects, whether you are thinking of putting in a new driveway, refinishing your pool, or creating a beautiful patio for entertaining. Concrete is relatively easy to install, it is affordable, and it is durable. Concrete is also low-maintenance, and it provides the same beautiful look and reliable performance year after year with almost no attention from you.
Concrete is also flexible. Not only can it be used for a wide variety of projects, but it can also be finished in a variety of ways to create just about any look you want. Some homeowners think about options like pavers or stones because they like the look of them, but concrete can give you the same look without the added expense and without the added maintenance.
The hardscaping experts at Triad Associates expertly install concrete for any project – driveways, walkways, patios, pool coping, and more – and we offer a variety of finishes to get just the look you want. Here are some of the concrete finishes we can offer for your hardscaping:
Broom Finish
A broom finish is one of the most common concrete finishes. It gets its name from the tool used to create it: The common broom. Once the concrete has been poured and smoothed over, it is finished with a large, utility brush. The finish can be light or coarse, depending on the type of brush used and the size of the bristles.
A broom finish not only provides a little bit of visual interest for the concrete surface, but it also provides more texture so that the concrete is not as slick. It is especially important to have this kind of non-slip surface on walkways and pool patios, where the area may be wet when people are walking. The coarser the finish is, the more slip-resistant the concrete surface will be.
Float and Trowel Finish
A trowel is a metal, hand-held tool that is used to smooth out the concrete. A float is similar to a trowel, but it is much larger, and it is attached to a long, wooden pole so that the person can reach farther distances with it. A trowel or float can be used to continue to smooth over the concrete until it takes on an even finish. This is the kind of finish you might want in a more decorative area, like for concrete countertops in your outdoor kitchen.
Trowels and floats can also be used to create decorative and textured finishes, such as swirls and other patterns. You just need to talk to the concrete installer about what you have in mind and whether a float or trowel finish can achieve it.
Stamped Concrete
A variety of stamps are available that can make concrete look like just about any type of stone or to give it a number of other patterns. The stamp is pressed into the concrete when it is still wet but when it has set enough to retain the pattern of the stamp. Some popular stamping options mimic cobblestone, flagstone, and other stone options. Other stamps create repeating patterns, such as fans or grids.
Stamps can also be used to create textures. Some popular options create the look of a natural stone surface. Others can make the concrete look like wood or other materials. There are so many stamp options that you can create just about any look you want. You just need a talented hardscaper from Triad Associates who knows how to get great, long-lasting results.
Colored Concrete
Most people think of concrete as a dull, drab gray. But it can come in a wide variety of colors thanks to pigments and stains. Earthen colors are especially popular, such as different shades of red, brown, tan, and grey. You can combine different stains with different stamps or stencils to create a sophisticated look.
Stamping and staining are ideal for patios or for floors in outdoor entertaining areas, such as outdoor bars and kitchens. However, they can also be used for patios and walkways. You can even finish your entire driveway with a stain. Our hardscaping experts will work with you to find the perfect finish for your project and will help you understand how to maintain it for long-lasting results.
Exposed Aggregate
Concrete is composed of three ingredients: Cement, water, and aggregate, which is a fancy name for rock, sand, and other coarse material. When a concrete surface is finished, it is troweled smooth. However, if more water is added, the surface can be rubbed away to expose that underlying aggregate. The concrete itself maintains its structural integrity, but the surface has a textured surface and a much different look.
Exposed aggregate finishes can look very different depending on what kind of aggregate was used and how much is exposed. For example, stucco is a common exposed aggregate surface that has been only slightly exposed. The deeper you go, the bigger the aggregate is. The finished surface can look like a pebbled pathway, or it can just show enough to create some visual appeal and a non-slip surface.
Rock Salt Finish
An easy way to get a textured surface without stamping the concrete is to use a rock salt finish. This finish is created by casting the salt used in water softening systems onto the wet concrete. A roller is then pushed across the surface, pressing the salt into the concrete. Once the concrete dries enough, water is sprayed across the surface to dissolve the salt, leaving behind the concrete with the divots.
A rock salt finish creates an interesting texture for the concrete for an affordable price. It gives you another option for creating a different look for the concrete.
Other Types of Concrete
Triad Associates may or may not have the capacity or availability to install these additional types of concrete. We would advise to discuss with your account manager to arrive at what works the best for your property.
Stenciled Concrete
Stenciling is similar to stamping. Some people even use the terms interchangeably. However, stenciling is more akin to engraving than stamping. Stenciling can be used to create many of the same kind of patterns that a stamp can, but it cannot create the same kind of texturing. Stenciling also offers more flexibility in design options. We can create a stencil to put in a custom design if you so wish.
Polished Concrete
Concrete doesn’t have to be rough or matte. It can be just as polished as an interior floor. Special formulas are added to the dried concrete to give it a glossy appearance and a smooth finish. Of course, that also means that the surface can be more slippery, so you wouldn’t want to apply this polish to areas where you’ll be walking when it’s wet. But you can apply polish to covered areas used for entertaining, such as outdoor kitchens.
Epoxy Coatings
Similar to polish, epoxy coatings are applied to the finished concrete. They can be mixed with colors and even aggregate to create a variety of patterns and looks. For example, you can get epoxy coatings that look metallic or coatings that look like the swirling ocean. There is a wide variety of options based on the different mixes.
Like with polish coatings, you will need to be careful about where you put epoxy coatings on outdoor surfaces. These tend to be more decorative coatings, so you should consider them for areas where there won’t be a lot of water or on areas that won’t get foot traffic, such as concrete countertops. Work with your hardscaping specialist to determine where these coatings would work best, as well as how to maintain them for long-lasting beauty.
Work with the Hardscaping Experts at Triad Associates to Get Beautiful Concrete
Concrete can be used to create a beautiful new look for many areas of your home, as well as to enhance the functionality. You can put walkways around your home for surer footing and better segmentation. You can create patios for relaxation and entertainment. You can put concrete finishes around your pool to enhance the look and safety.
The hardscaping experts at Triad Associates are here to help you get the look and functionality you need in your concrete surfaces. We can replace crumbling or drab concrete and replace it with something more interesting and easier to maintain, or we can help you imagine what’s possible with a new concrete project for your home. We use sketches and 3D software to help you visualize concrete projects so you know exactly how they can improve the look of your home.
We can finish your concrete project with any of the above concrete finishes or even a combination of them. For example, we can add concrete stain to stamping, or we can add a polish to a rock salt finish. There are many options, and we’ll help you understand how to choose the right finish to get the look you want, to stay under budget, and to keep your maintenance low. Our hardscaping experts are committed to providing the highest level of service while also producing the very best results for long-lasting beauty and performance. Call us in Haverhill today to schedule a consultation with one of our concrete experts and learn more.
