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In addition to the types of finishing that we have just mentioned, there are a wide variety of possible textures and patterns that can be used to finish concrete. You can colour the surface, either by adding pigments to the concrete mixture, or by exposing coloured aggregate on the surface. You can engrave or stamp geometric patterns in the concrete to give it the look of rocks, bricks, or paving stones. You can create other interesting patterns by embedding pieces of wood in the surface, to make surfaces with very varied shapes: Rectangles, squares, diamonds, etc. There are techniques to produce slip-resistant or shiny surfaces. The possibilities are limitless.*
* See "Finishing Concrete Slabs" Portland Cement Association IS206.T
Concrete will develop all its strength and resistance if it is cured under carefully controlled conditions. This means that the concrete must be kept continuously moist for a period of at least 7 days. There are various ways to do this:
As soon as the concrete has set, spray it with a hose and cover it with waterproof paper or polyethylene kept in place by weights to prevent evaporation. Another way to keep the surface moist consists of spraying it with sprinklers, flooding it, or covering it with burlap that must be watered from time to time. For work done before mid-September, you can use liquid curing products that form an impermeable membrane on the surface where they are sprayed.
In addition to adding entrained air and the moist curing period, concrete needs to air dry at least 30 days to develop good resistance to the chemical products used to melt ice. If the season is too advanced to allow this drying before winter, the surface can be sealed with a process that allows the concrete to "breath." This treatment consists of applying a penetrating sealing material such as boiled linseed oil, silane, silicone, methacrylate, or other.
The reader can also obtain the following publications from the Canadian Portland Cement Association:
Concrete for Small Jobs, IS174
Cast-in-place Walls, LT117.B
Cement Mason's Guide, PA122.H
Removing Stains and Cleaning Concrete Surfaces, IS214.T
Concrete Basement for residential and Light Building Construction, IS208.B
Concrete Improvements Around the Home, PA003.H
Concrete Slab Surface Defects: causes, prevention repair,IS177.T
Finishing Concrete Slabs- Exposed Aggregate, Paterns, and Colors, IS206.T
Painting Concrete, IS134.T
Resurfacing Concrete Floors,IS144.T
Small Concrete Gravity Retaning Walls, IS222.T
The Canadian Portland Cement Association disclaims all responsibility in whole or in part for the application of the principles set out or for the accuracy of any source other than that resulting from work done or information developed by the Association.
Caution: Avoid prolonged contact between skin and wet unhardened cement or fresh concrete. To avoid such contact, it is best to wear protective clothing: gloves, rubber boots, etc. Rinse any areas of the skin that may have been in direct contact with wet unhardened cement or fresh concrete or with any saturated clothing under running water.
