To prevent slippage, Morris had the concrete contractors apply a
broom finish to the crush pad flooring--a process in which the still-wet concrete is wiped with a broom to create a subtle ridge texture.
"A
broom finish is the least expensive, and some types of stone, like granite, can be very expensive," he says.
Also, you'll notice a very heavy "
broom finish" on the surface is angled.
To apply a nonslip texture, lightly drag a clean push broom in one direction across the still-wet material (allow no more than five minutes of setting time before applying the
broom finish).
*
Broom finish. A stiff-bristled shop broom texture provides an excellent nonslip surface.
The slab should have a relatively smooth finish, rather than a deep
broom finish. A smooth finish is easier to keep clean, and Thiessen has found mortar adheres to it just as well as a
broom finish.
The standard driveway is composed of the gravel bed, a single pour of concrete at least 4 inches deep, 1-inch-deep expansion joints spaced 8 to 12 feet apart, and a
broom finish; it costs about $2 to $3 per square foot.
The "
broom finish" on walks and patios creates a very rough surface which not only provides a, safety feature but also an attractive design.
For a decorative border effect similar to what's shown in the inset to Photo 4, run the edger around each section of slab after a final
broom finish.