Concrete finishing is a vital step in concrete laying jobs that determines the appearance, durability, and performance of any concrete floor or surface. Choosing the right concrete floor finish can also improve safety, reduce the need for maintenance, and enhance the overall look of your project.
This guide covers the most common types of concrete finishes and the concrete finishing tools used to achieve them.
Before we get started on the different finishing types however, let’s talk about the benefits that can come with properly-finished concrete. We’ve mentioned a couple of these earlier, but we’ll explore the main plus-points in more detail now.
Concrete itself can be very hard once it sets, so it can stand up to impacts, spills and general wear better than many other flooring materials. Because of this, you should need to clean or replace it less often than other flooring options, and it can even be made waterproof with the right treatment.
Each of the concrete finishing techniques that we’ve talked about creates a different look and texture, which can be particularly useful or good-looking depending on what space it serves as the floor of. Beyond this, concrete can also be dyed before pouring, painted after pouring, and even treated with something like an acid stain to give it ‘that little something different’.
For interior use, concrete floors (especially polished ones) are more expensive than carpet, vinyl, or laminate. However, what you lose up front you gain back over time, since carpet, vinyl and laminate will likely all need to be replaced multiple times over the life of a concrete floor. For outdoor flooring, concrete wins hands-down, typically coming in much cheaper than block paving, outdoor tile or flagstone.
A smooth trowel finish creates a dense, hard, and level surface using steel trowels. It is one of the most popular finishes for indoor industrial floors, warehouses, and commercial spaces. This finish offers excellent durability and is easy to clean, though it can be slippery when wet.
The broom finish is achieved by dragging a stiff broom across fresh concrete. This produces a textured, non-slip surface ideal for external areas such as driveways, pavements, and ramps. It is a practical and cost-effective choice that’s widely used in the UK.
Stamped concrete uses patterned stamps to imprint the surface, replicating the look of stone, brick, or timber. This decorative concrete finishing technique is popular for patios, pathways, and outdoor entertainment areas.
This finish exposes the natural stones and aggregates in the concrete mix by washing or brushing the surface. It provides excellent slip resistance and a distinctive appearance, making it suitable for driveways and walkways.
Polished concrete is created by grinding and polishing the surface with specialist tools. The result is smooth, glossy, and highly durable, and it’s increasingly being chosen for concrete floor finishes in modern commercial and residential spaces.
Using the right concrete finishing tools is key to achieving a high-quality result, and fortunately, in many cases we here at Multiquip can provide the kind of equipment you need. Equipment such as:
A ride-on trowel can be either mechanical or hydrostatic, with both alternatives being included in our product lineup. It is a powered finishing machine operated by a seated operator, specifically designed to level and smooth large concrete surfaces efficiently. Equipped with multiple rotating blades, it compacts the concrete to create a dense, hard-wearing finish. Ideal for industrial floors, warehouses, and large commercial projects, ride-on trowels significantly reduce labour time while delivering consistent, professional-grade results across extensive surface areas.
A walk-behind trowel is a powered machine guided by an operator walking behind it, offering excellent control for medium-sized concrete surfaces. Its rotating blades smooth and compact the concrete, producing a level, durable finish. Suitable for car parks, factory floors, and external yards, walk-behind trowels bridge the gap between manual tools and ride-on machines, providing efficiency without sacrificing manoeuvrability.
An edging trowel is a walk-behind or handheld concrete finishing tool with a curved blade, used to shape and smooth the edges of concrete slabs after the main surface has been levelled. It creates clean, rounded edges that resist chipping and improve the overall durability of the concrete. Essential for pathways, driveways, and industrial floors, edging trowels ensure a neat, professional appearance while protecting vulnerable edges from wear and damage.
Selecting an appropriate finish for where your concrete is and the kind of use it will see, and then using the right tools for the job can dramatically improve your project outcomes.
As you’ve seen above, Multiquip UK can supply a range of reliable, professional-grade finishing tools designed to deliver the high-quality outcomes that your projects deserve, and your clients demand. Contact our team today for expert advice and to explore the right equipment for your next project.