Broom Finish With Exposed Borders
A Lakeview Project
The Concrete Demolition
The removal of an existing concrete driveway, walkway, and concrete step was the focus of this project. This is followed by replacing and revamping the three main elements. The main body of the driveway was to be finished in broom finish, but everything else was to be exposed aggregate to provide a more decorative appearance.
This project is SW Calgary, we do take on project anywhere in Calgary as well as Chestermere, Cochrane, Okotoks, Airdrie, Bragg Creek and High River.
Steps and Curb 1st
We determined that pouring this job in three stages would yield the best results. The curbs and steps were made of one piece of concrete. The second pour would be the borders and walkway, and the final pour would be the main body of the driveway, which would be finished with a broom finish concrete. We added 1 unit of buff per metre of aggregate to give it some colour.
Our norm is to wash exposed aggregate concrete in general, and we did so on this job. To be warned, obtaining exposed aggregate concrete is a messy process. If you wish to wash, you will require area for the rinse water. We used the driveway because it was now completely gravel, but if you lack a location for the dirty wash water (slurry water), sandblasting may be a better option. However, keep your windows shut.
The Border Pour
Our second pour included coloured exposed aggregate as well. We were fortunate in that it matched the first pour perfectly in terms of colour. However, please be aware that colours may vary depending on the concrete supplier; this is beyond our control. We recommend pouring all of your coloured concrete as close together as possible for the best results. It is never a good idea to pour some concrete one year and then more the following year and expect the mix to be consistent. In the above- mentioned situation, we would recommend decided to year two to pour all concrete, again if matching is important to you.
Before the concrete Sealer
The end result was fantastic, and our customer was delighted. The curve flowed beautifully, the aggregate was exposed properly, and there were no visible cracks.
Sealed and Finished
The sealer enhanced the natural colours of the rock, and the job looked fantastic. We recommend reapplying sealer every two to three years, depending on the amount of traffic on the concrete and your personal preferences. We do reseal concrete; contact us by phone or email for a free estimate.
