The term "set in concrete" implies permanence, so installing concrete has to be done right the first time. Most homeowners choose concrete installation for sidewalks, driveways, patios and foundations because it's inexpensive, quick and the final results require little maintenance.

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You should hire a licensed concrete contractor for your project, since they posses the appropriate equipment and specific knowledge: they know which kind of material is needed, how much is required, how it should be prepared, and they're responsible for delivery, application, and final finishes.

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Broom Finish

Concrete finishers have been broom finishing their surfaces for about as long as there has been concrete. Typically decorative concrete surfaces are not broom finished, although dyes and stains can be applied very successfully to broomed finishes. Even stamped finishes can be broomed, although that's a bit difficult-impossible if you are using a powdered release agent. There are better ways to make stamped surfaces slip resistant, which we will get into later.

Broom finishes texture is beneficial because it adds a bit of traction; broom finished concrete is great for sidewalks and patios. That finish has been used for many years and provide a durable, high-traction surface. 

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Trowel Finish

Hard troweling is a process by which a finisher uses a steel trowel to densify the surface of the concrete. This finish is optional and produces a hard, smooth surface. Repeated passes of steel troweling will result in a burnished finish, which has a mirror-like appearance. Hard-troweled surfaces are not recommended for exterior concrete slabs, because the smooth finish becomes slippery when wet.

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Hard troweling is also not recommended for air-entrained concrete for several reasons. The primary reason is densification. Densification pushes air out of the surface, leading to a decrease in the air content. This increases the probability of freeze-thaw damage and deicer-scaling damage.

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Concrete Removal

Concrete removal can be a big, expensive and time-consuming project. For the most part, this is one job that is best left to the professionals because it requires a number of tools and quite a lot of physical labor. Hiring professionals to remove concrete doesn't have to be tricky, so let us handle the back-breaking work of removing old concrete. 

One of the biggest things that can influence the cost of concrete removal is whether or not the concrete is reinforced. Reinforced concrete means that it was installed using steel rods to keep it sturdy and in place for longer, but that just adds difficulty to the removal process. Reinforced concrete may require additional labor or extra equipment, but unreinforced concrete should be on the lower end of the spectrum for removal costs.