Concrete Finishes We Provide Across the Gold Coast
We Are Gold Coast’s Top Concrete Experts for providing quality concrete finishes for Civil, Commercial and Residential Projects.
Concrete Finishes
There are numerous finishes available for the look of your concrete which vary in colour, texture and cost. Depending on the desired look of your project, budget and usage, there is a range of different finishes we can provide. See more here in our homeowners booklet: https://www.osmconcrete.com.au/wp-content/uploads/concrete-finishes/osm-homeowner-booklet.pdf
If you are not sure about the finish you want, look through our gallery images and even online at other finishes, or send us a photo of a finish you have seen on your travels. We can then advise on availability and pricing, etc.
Exposed Aggregate
One of the most popular finishes, exposed aggregate is concrete that has the surface of the finished concrete “exposed” to reveal the aggregates in the concrete. It’s hardwearing, has an appealing look and is well-suited to high traffic areas such as driveways and footpaths.
Things to remember:
It is a natural product, therefore it is expected to get some inconsistencies within a job. The stone density, depth of exposure and colour of stones do vary even within small concrete slabs. This natural variation is part of the reason it is so popular.
It’s a messy job. The concrete gets a surface retardant sprayed on when it is still in a ‘plastic’ state (not set), which stops the surface from hardening. Once hard enough, the surface is then waterblasted off to reveal the aggregate (stones). Our team do a thorough clean up but some mess is to be expected.
Environmental costs can come with this finish. A vacuum truck is sometimes required to remove the slurry that was washed off the surface, so to avoid slurry being washed down council drains. This will vary with each project.
We always price a standard exposed aggregate when quoting unless a specific blend is requested. Pricing varies wildly depending on the blend chosen.
Coloured Concrete
Coloured mineral oxide powders can be added to the concrete at the batching plant and the entire mix of the concrete is coloured. This is a very long-lasting finish, which is popular due to the very hardwearing surface that will last without being sealed. It gives a point of difference to plain concrete and opens up a variety of colour choices to suit your project.
Decorative saw cutting is a great upgrade (like this image of a patio we did) – giving the look of large pavers (without weeds growing in and pavers moving around).
Because it is a natural product the concrete can look mottled. This evens out over time, and variances are a part of the natural beauty. Moisture from above and below can penetrate the slab, changing colour shades.
Colour will vary from what you see next door or in a brochure. The natural sands are mixed with the chosen colour and can vary from day to day, even between loads.
Stamped Concrete
Stamped or imprinted concrete has been a popular finish for decades. With a large selection of colours, patterns and textures to choose from, there is a look to suit all projects.
These finishes are more expensive than plain, coloured or exposed finishes due to the extra labour and time it requires. It will also require resealing every 1-3 years to maintain the surface colours.
Resurfaced Concrete
In some cases we can cover existing concrete with a concrete overlay (covacrete). It is very durable, being made up of high strength cement, sands and polymer resins.
Keep in mind it comes at a higher cost that other finishes due to the materials used and time required to install.
If there is significant cracking or moisture ingress to the existing concrete it may not be possible to overlay.
All sorts of designs can be incorporated from a classic paver look, to adding motifs, logos and highlight borders.
Plain Concrete
Even though decorative concrete is where we shine, we still do a lot of plain concrete projects. Being a super hardwearing surface that requires little or no maintenance and budget friendly can make all the difference to the decision making process. Be mindful that curing takes time and the surface will not dry evenly. It can take on a mottled appearance for months – this will settle but is very common with plain concrete. It also appears very bright when laid, due to the amount of lime in the concrete sands. This will dull over time to a soft grey finish. It’s a great idea to use plain concrete options for utility areas around the house, saving the more decorative and costly options for the more seen areas like the driveway, pool surround and patio.
FAQ: Commercial Concrete On The Gold Coast
What is the most expensive concrete finish?
Typically exposed aggregate is more expensive than laying plain concrete. Specific colours of stone are included in the mix to enhance the colour, and extra time is spent ‘exposing’ the stone, and a vacuum truck is normally required, to take away the concrete slurry that is left over. Pricing varies with each different mix. Stamped concrete is pricey, depending on the desired finish. Extra work is required to imprint the concrete.
What is the most budget-conscious concrete finish?
Plain concrete is the budget-friendly product when laying new concrete. Keeping it plain with no added colour or exposed stone keeps the price down. Pricing varies depending on location.
How many colours of concrete are there?
There is a wide range of colours you can choose from for your new concrete. We recommend matching it into the colour palette of the surrounding exteriors (something that will complement the finishes on the house, doors, framing, roof, garden, etc).
Will my concrete look the same as the example I have seen?
Not exactly. Keep in mind that its a natural product that comes from a quarry. Consistency depends on what is dug out and then (if) stone and colour are added, the mix can look a little different to your expectation.
Will concreting be a messy process?
Yes it will. Especially exposed aggregate where the top surface is water-blasted off to expose the stone. We take every action possible to minimise any damage to adjacent plants and surfaces that we can, and we always clean up afterwards.
Can I get decorative saw cutting into the finished concrete?
Absolutely. Decorative saw cutting is a great upgrade to your coloured or plain concrete. it gives the look of large pavers without the hassle of weeds growing through and pavers moving up and down over time.