The Right Materials

Choosing the Right Material For a Construction Project

3 Attractive And Slip-Resistant Textured Finishes For Your New Concrete Patio Base

by Frank Lynch

When it comes to choosing a material for your new patio base, you can't beat concrete. Not only is concrete strong, durable and cost-effective, it can also be an incredibly attractive addition to your backyard. Although the typical idea of concrete is a dull, grey and uninspiring one, it's increasingly easy to give your concrete patio base a modern unique and aesthetically pleasing finish.

Polished concrete is a popular choice for the interior of homes, but for an outdoor area that may become wet and slippery, a textured finish is safer and more user-friendly. Here are three stunning yet practical textured concrete finishes that you might like to consider for your new patio base.

1. Broom finish

Broom finished concrete is a simple and inexpensive way to give your concrete an attractive and textured surface. Once the concrete has been laid and levelled out, the surface is swept across the surface, creating both pattern and a slip-resistant texture.

The depth of the texture can be altered by using softer or harder brooms and by using brooms with different lengths and diameters of bristles. You can choose from many different broom finish patterns, including straight lines, curves or cross-hatching.

2. Stencils

Stenciled concrete involves using a custom-made stamp to imprint a pattern on the concrete once it has partially set. This gives the concrete surface an attractive repeating design as well as creating a series of shallow grooves to provide traction when you're walking on it.

Stencils can be as simple as square grids of different sizes, or they can mimic the look of tiles or paving stones. You can also get stencils that recreate the look of natural stone, such as sandstone or granite, including the small divots and pockmarks that these materials are known for.

3. Exposed aggregate

Aggregate is a material that's added to concrete during the mixing process. It serves the dual function of providing bulk to the concrete mix and also helps bind the concrete into a solid mass as it sets. In recent years, an aggregate is also commonly used as a decorative feature by sanding the surface of the dry concrete to expose the aggregate in the layers below.

Exposing the aggregate in your concrete patio base is a great way to provide effective yet foot-friendly texture and slip resistance. If you choose an attractive aggregate, such as river stones or quartz, you'll also be adding an eye-catching visual feature to your backyard. For more information, contact your local concrete services.


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About Me

Choosing the Right Material For a Construction Project

If you are planning to start a new construction project, you may be wondering about the best type of materials to use. About 6 months ago, I decided to carry out an extensive renovation of my home. This would involve demolishing one wall, extending the kitchen and the construction of a new patio area. I really wasn't sure which materials would be best. I consulted with a contractor and he explained the pros and cons of each material. In the end, I opted for wood and steel. I am really pleased with the end results. I hope this blog helps you to plan your construction project.