Epoxy is the most durable concrete finish and can be poured into cracks and crevices to help level the surface. But epoxy also is available in a variety of colors, allowing you to create unique hues and designs on your floor so you can even make a concrete floor look pretty.
If you live in a mild climate, painting may not be an issue. However, if you use your patio a lot or deal with harsh winters, staining may be the better option. No matter what you choose, you'll end up with an updated, unique patio that you'll enjoy using for years to come.
Epoxy flake/chip finishes are excellent methods to give your concrete floors and the surrounding environment some texture and a distinct aesthetic appearance. This durable finishing option is incredibly resilient, UV-resistant, sustainable, and very easy to clean.
The concrete is stamped with different patterns to rival the look of stone and tile, while still maintaining the benefits that concrete provides. It comes as no surprise that stamped concrete is typically the most expensive type of finish.
Differences between the two:
To have a Broom Finish on a pool deck would necessitate a deeper brushing. Deep Broom Finishes have sharp peaks in the concrete which are harsh to walk on barefoot. In contrast, a Sand Finish, specifically Sandscape, maintains its non-slip texture over many years while still being walkable.
What is the smoothest concrete finish? The trowel finish is the most popular and smoothest concrete finish. After the concrete is laid, a trowel is used to smoothen out the fine-level concrete surface.
Popular decorative finishes for a modern concrete patio include: Steel troweled – a smooth surface, with little texture. Exposed aggregate – small pieces of rock within the concrete are revealed. Rock salt finish – a speckled pattern with subtle texture.
You can use concrete paint, concrete stain or even add a small, new pour of decorative concrete around your existing patio to create a border. A border creates a definitive edge to your patio while adding color, pattern and interest.
Best Colors for Outdoor Concrete Patios
If you want a patio that looks clean and simple, standard gray is a good bet. If you'd like your outdoor concrete patio to fade into your landscape more, a modern rust color can give the patio an earthy-look without drawing the eye to it too closely.
The easiest way to make over a concrete patio is to invest in a large and striking outdoor rug. The eye will instantly go to the rug and the concrete patio will disappear into the background. Put some great outdoor furniture on top of the rug and you've got yourself an outdoor space you can be proud of.
Paints on concrete will eventually peel, as well, whether the surface is indoors or outdoors. If you're determined to paint your concrete to add color, opt for a paint with a urethane resin. Porch paint is the best choice.
The most popular finish is clear, but concrete stain colors include white, brown and gray. You can also purchase a tintable base to match dozens of popular hues. Concrete stain can be used on patios, walkways and pool decks. It can even be used inside for mudrooms, laundry rooms or basements.
The most common coating types that are used are epoxies and polyurethanes. Epoxies can be used as a primer, intermediate and topcoat depending on application. Epoxies are known for their superior adhesion and chemical resistance.
The University of Manchester's new “StarCrete” is twice as strong as traditional concrete, making it a potential solution as a building material for Mars. Add in some extraterrestrial dust and potato starch, and you have a potentially revolutionary new material.
If the concrete floor is sloped, self leveling cement can be applied to make the surface even. Ardex or other similar self leveling cementitous mixes can be applied and poured on to the surface and then ground afterwords just like regular concrete to get a smooth shine.
As we noted earlier, concrete sealers produce a very smooth surface on top of the concrete once it has fully cured, which gives your driveway valuable resistance to water, oil, and stains.
Using Concrete Sealers for a Shiny Effect
Acrylic sealers come in matte, satin and glossy. A concrete sealer can only attain a certain level of sheen. If you start with matte concrete/cement and apply a sealer with a high gloss finish, it will provide a sheen.
Broom Finished Concrete Pros and Cons
The cons are that it can be less decorative than other finishes, and can trap dirt if proper care isn't taken. If done incorrectly, you may also end up with inconsistent coloring or a finish that's rough on bare feet.
Because of their high coefficient of friction, polished concrete floors are 20% to 50% more slip-resistant than the national standard for a low slip floor. In physics, the coefficient of friction measures the resistance of motion between two surfaces relative to the force (gravity) holding the two surfaces together.