When planning a construction or landscaping project, it’s essential to understand the different types of concrete finishes. The finish you choose doesn’t just affect how the surface looks; it also determines how it performs under everyday use.
From smooth, polished floors to textured driveways and decorative patios, the right finish can improve safety, enhance durability, and elevate the overall appearance of your space.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the most popular types of concrete finishes, where they work best, and the practical benefits each option provides.
Whether you’re a homeowner improving your garden, a contractor working on a commercial site, or a developer planning large-scale infrastructure, choosing the right finish will ensure long-lasting results.
Types of Concrete Finishes
In this section, we will look at the following concrete finishes:
Smooth Concrete Finishes
One of the most common types of concrete finishes is the smooth finish, often achieved using a steel trowel or power float. It creates a dense, flat surface that is durable and easy to clean.
Smooth concrete surface finishes are ideal for indoor spaces such as garages, workshops, and basements, where functionality and low maintenance are priorities.
For projects where appearance is just as important as performance, polished concrete is a popular choice. This process involves grinding the surface with diamond abrasives to achieve a glossy, reflective look. Polished floors are stylish, resistant to stains and highly durable, making them suitable for showrooms, offices, and modern homes.
Bear in mind that while smooth concrete textures provide a sleek finish, they can become slippery when wet, so they are not always the best option for outdoor applications. However, when combined with sealants or non-slip treatments, they remain a versatile choice for both residential and commercial projects.
Need Expert Advice?
Speak to the team at Flowmix Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire or Aldridge, Walsall. We are happy to help with all your concrete requirements.
Flowmix Tewkesbury: 01684 217888 Flowmix Walsall: Tel: 01922 741731
Textured Concrete Finishes
For outdoor projects where grip and durability are essential, textured types of concrete finishes are often the best solution. By adding texture to the surface, these finishes improve traction, making them a practical choice for paths, patios, and driveways.
One of the most widely used concrete surface finishes is the broom finish, which involves dragging a broom across freshly laid concrete, leaving small ridges that enhance slip resistance.
Another option is the salt finish, where you apply rock salt to wet concrete and later wash it away, leaving tiny indentations. This subtle texture improves safety and adds a decorative element, making it particularly popular around swimming pools and garden walkways.
Perhaps the most attractive of all textured concrete treatments is the exposed aggregate finish. Washing away the top layer of cement paste reveals the natural stones and pebbles within the mix. It creates a striking look that blends durability with decorative appeal, often used in patios, driveways, and landscaping projects.
Textured concrete floor finishes are especially valuable in areas prone to rain or heavy use, where safety and long-term performance are key considerations.
Decorative Concrete Finishes
For projects where appearance is just as important as performance, decorative types of concrete finishes offer a wide range of creative possibilities. These finishes mimic the look of more expensive materials such as stone, brick, or even timber, while still providing the strength and durability of concrete.
One of the most popular decorative concrete treatments is stamped concrete. This method involves pressing patterns or textures into freshly poured concrete, allowing it to replicate the look of natural materials.
Stamped finishes are commonly used for patios, driveways, and pool surrounds, delivering a high-end aesthetic at a more affordable price point.
A similar option is the stencilled finish, where you place paper or plastic templates on the surface before applying a colour hardener or spray-on overlay. This technique is less labour-intensive than stamping but still provides attractive results, making it ideal for residential projects such as garden paths or courtyards.
Decorative concrete surface finishes can also be enhanced with colouring agents, stains, or dyes, giving homeowners and designers almost unlimited customisation.
Whether the goal is a rustic cobblestone effect or a sleek, modern pattern, decorative finishes allow concrete to become a true design feature rather than just a structural material.
Specialised Concrete Finishes
Some types of concrete finishes prioritise performance over appearance. Self-levelling concrete, for example, flows easily and creates perfectly flat floors, making it ideal as a base layer for tiles, carpets, or other flooring systems.
Another option is permeable concrete, which allows water to drain through the surface, helping with flood prevention and sustainable urban design.
High-end projects may also use terrazzo finishes, where decorative aggregates such as marble or glass are embedded into the concrete and polished to create a striking, durable surface.
These specialist concrete surface finishes are perfect for commercial buildings, public spaces, and modern architectural designs where both aesthetics and functionality are key.
How to Choose the Right Concrete Finish
With so many types of concrete finishes available, the best choice depends on the purpose of the project. For driveways, paths, and outdoor areas, textured concrete surface finishes like broom or exposed aggregate provide excellent slip resistance and durability.
For interiors, polished or smooth finishes deliver a modern look that is easy to maintain.
It’s also essential to consider factors such as weather exposure, budget, and long-term maintenance. While decorative concrete treatments may require resealing to keep their appearance, functional finishes like self-levelling or porous concrete focus on performance and sustainability.
Conclusion
The wide variety of types of concrete finishes means there is a solution for every project, whether you need a sleek interior floor, a decorative garden patio, or a durable driveway. From smooth and polished surfaces to textured, decorative, and specialised options, each finish offers unique benefits in terms of appearance, safety, and performance.
By understanding the different concrete surface finishes available and matching them to your project’s requirements, you can achieve results that are both practical and visually appealing. The right finish will not only enhance the overall look of your space but also ensure long-lasting durability.
How Flowmix Can Help With Your Project
Flowmix has two plants, Gloucester and Walsall. We provide the following services (with time slots):
✅ Ready-mix concrete, mix on-site (volumetric concrete)
✅ Traditional and liquid screed.
✅ 200′ Concrete line pump Hire to reduce manual labour and associated costs, increase efficiency, reduce wastage and clean up.
✅ Interlocking concrete blocks for temporary or permanent barriers.
✅ Mini-Mix loads up to 4 cubic metres.
Flowmix has the BSA-approved Ready Mix Concrete Kitemark KM683844, a certification that “confirms a product or service’s claim has been independently and repeatedly tested by experts” (source BSI).
Flowmix Tewkesbury: 01684 217888 Flowmix Walsall: Tel: 01922 741731
Flowmix Delivery Areas
| Tewkesbury Area | Walsall Area |
| Bourton-on-the-Water | Aldridge |
| Brockworth | Barton-Under-Needwood |
| Chalford | Birmingham |
| Cheltenham | Brownhills |
| Chipping Campden | Burntwood |
| Cirencester | Burton Upon Trent |
| Droitwich Spa | Cannock |
| Evesham | Coleshill |
| Gloucester | Dudley |
| Great Malvern | Great Haywood |
| Ledbury | Lichfield |
| Newent | Norton Canes |
| Northleach | Penkridge |
| Pershore | Rugeley |
| Ross-on-Wye | Stafford |
| Stow-on-the-Wold | Tamworth |
| Stroud | Walsall |
| Tewkesbury | West Bromwich |
| Worcester | Wolverhampton |
FAQs
What Are The Main Types Of Concrete Finishes?
The most common types of concrete finishes include smooth (trowel and polished), textured (broom, salt, exposed aggregate), decorative (stamped and stencilled), and specialised options such as self-levelling, terrazzo, and pervious concrete. Flowmix can provide expert advice on selecting the right finish for your project in Gloucestershire or the West Midlands.
Which Concrete Finish Is Best For Driveways?
Textured finishes such as broom or exposed aggregate are ideal for driveways. They provide excellent slip resistance, durability, and can withstand heavy use and local weather conditions in Gloucestershire and the West Midlands.
Can Decorative Concrete Finishes Be Used Outdoors?
Yes, stamped and stencilled concrete surface finishes work well for patios, garden paths, and pool areas. Flowmix can help with outdoor projects, ensuring decorative concrete finishes are correctly installed and sealed to maintain their appearance.
Are Polished Concrete Finishes Slippery?
Polished concrete can become slippery when wet, but you can improve safety with non-slip sealers or surface treatments. It remains a popular choice for modern homes, offices, and showrooms in the West Midlands and Gloucestershire due to its sleek appearance and easy maintenance.
What Is The Most Durable Type Of Concrete Finish?
Durability depends on the environment, but polished concrete and exposed aggregate are known for their long-lasting performance. Specialised options like terrazzo also offer exceptional strength for commercial and high-traffic spaces in your local area.
How Do I Decide Which Concrete Finish To Use?
Consider how much traffic the concrete will have, and the look you want to achieve. For outdoor safety, choose textured finishes; for interiors, opt for smooth or polished surfaces; and for style, explore decorative concrete treatments. Flowmix can advise on the best finishes for your project in Gloucestershire or the West Midlands.
