Concrete

12 Types of Concrete Finishes for Driveways, Patios & More

By High Plains Concrete & ContractingOctober 19, 202612 min read

Illustrative overhead view of six concrete finish samples: broom, stamped slate, acid stained, exposed aggregate, polished and salt finish

Illustrative image of concrete finish samples — not a completed High Plains project.

Concrete doesn't have to be plain gray. The way a slab is finished in the last hour of the pour — or treated after it cures — can completely change how it looks, how it feels underfoot, how much traction it has, how much maintenance it needs and what it costs.

Choosing the right finish comes down to three questions: how the concrete will be used, the look you want, and how it will hold up to Colorado's climate. Homeowners in Castle Rock, Parker, Highlands Ranch and across the Front Range deal with snow, ice, deicing chemicals and dozens of freeze-thaw cycles each winter, so a finish that works well in Arizona may not be the best fit here.

This guide walks through 12 common concrete finishes, compares them side by side and explains which tend to work best for driveways, patios, walkways, interior floors and pool decks. Not every finish here is one High Plains installs — the goal is to help you compare your options before you talk to a contractor.

1. Broom-Finished Concrete

Broom-finished concrete hot tub pad with curved edges and saw-cut joints poured by High Plains in a Castle Rock backyard — Completed High Plains project — Castle Rock, CO.

Broom finishing is the workhorse of residential concrete. After the slab is placed, screeded and floated, the finisher drags a stiff-bristled broom across the surface while it is still workable. The bristles leave fine parallel ridges that give the concrete its familiar textured look.

The depth of the texture can be adjusted. A light broom gives a cleaner look for patios, while a medium or heavier broom adds more grip for sloped driveways and walkways. The pad above, poured by our crew in Castle Rock, uses a standard broom finish with curved edges that follow the landscaping.

Best for: Driveways, sidewalks, walkways, patios, hot tub and shed pads, garage aprons
Advantages: Good traction, simple to install, easy to repair or match later, works on slopes
Disadvantages: Plain appearance; texture can wear smoother over many years of traffic
Maintenance: Periodic cleaning; a penetrating sealer every few years adds protection against moisture and deicers
Cost vs. broom: This is the baseline — typically among the most budget-friendly finishes
Colorado weather: Excellent when the concrete mix, air entrainment, drainage and curing are done right

2. Stamped Concrete

Stamped concrete patio in an ashlar slate pattern with tan base color and darker antiquing in the joints — Illustrative image — not a completed High Plains project.

Stamped concrete imitates the look of stone, slate, brick, tile or wood. While the concrete is still plastic, the crew presses textured mats into the surface. Color is usually added with integral pigment, a broadcast color hardener, or both, and a contrasting release agent highlights the grout lines and texture.

Because stamping depends on timing — the mats have to go down within a narrow window — it is more labor-intensive than a broom finish. The result is one of the most popular ways to make a patio feel like an outdoor room. See our stamped concrete service page for more on patterns and colors.

Best for: Patios, pool surrounds, front entries, accent borders
Advantages: Looks like natural stone at a lower installed cost; many patterns and colors
Disadvantages: Smoother textures can be slick when sealed and wet; repairs are harder to blend
Maintenance: Clean and reseal every two to three years; ask about an anti-slip additive in the sealer
Cost vs. broom: Premium — added labor, color and sealing
Colorado weather: Good when properly installed and sealed; keeping the sealer maintained matters with freeze-thaw and deicers

3. Stained Concrete

Acid-stained concrete surface with mottled amber, brown and tan coloring and a matte sealer — Illustrative image — not a completed High Plains project.

Staining is a coloring method, not a surface texture. Stain is applied to cured concrete — new or existing — and soaks into the surface rather than sitting on top like paint. Reactive (acid) stains chemically react with the concrete to create variegated, marbled earth tones. Water-based stains offer a wider color range and more predictable results.

Because stain only colors the surface, it can be combined with almost any texture: broom, smooth trowel, saw-cut patterns or stamped concrete.

Best for: Patios, covered porches, basements and other interior floors
Advantages: Rich, natural-looking color; can refresh existing concrete; works with many textures
Disadvantages: Results vary with the concrete; stains will not hide cracks, patches or blemishes
Maintenance: Needs a compatible sealer; reseal periodically outdoors as UV and traffic wear it
Cost vs. broom: Moderate — added cost on top of the base slab
Colorado weather: Good outdoors when sealed; choose a sealer with traction in mind

4. Polished Concrete

Glossy polished concrete floor inside a modern home reflecting window light — Illustrative image — not a completed High Plains project.

Polished concrete is created by grinding cured concrete with progressively finer diamond abrasives, usually with a chemical densifier applied along the way. The result ranges from a satin sheen to a high-gloss, mirror-like floor, with more or less of the aggregate exposed depending on how deeply it is ground.

Polished concrete is generally an interior finish. It can become slippery when wet, so it is not a good choice for outdoor walking surfaces like walkways, driveways or pool decks.

Best for: Basements, living spaces, shops and other interior floors
Advantages: Very durable and easy to clean indoors; modern look; no coating to peel
Disadvantages: Slippery when wet; specialized equipment; hard surface underfoot
Maintenance: Dust mopping and damp cleaning; occasional re-burnishing to restore shine
Cost vs. broom: Moderate to Premium, depending on the level of polish
Colorado weather: Not recommended for exterior surfaces exposed to snow, ice and rain

5. Exposed Aggregate Concrete

Close-up of exposed aggregate concrete with rounded tan, gray and rust-colored pebbles — Illustrative image — not a completed High Plains project.

Exposed aggregate concrete removes the thin top layer of cement paste to reveal the stones in the mix. This is usually done by applying a surface retarder and washing the surface after the concrete sets, or by seeding decorative stone into the surface before exposing it.

The rough, pebbly texture provides strong traction, which makes it a practical decorative option for driveways and walkways.

Best for: Driveways, walkways, pool decks, patios
Advantages: Excellent traction; hides dirt and minor stains; natural stone look
Disadvantages: Rough on bare feet; poorly bonded stones can loosen; harder to patch invisibly
Maintenance: Rinse or sweep regularly; sealing helps lock in stones and color
Cost vs. broom: Moderate
Colorado weather: Excellent traction for snowy months when properly installed and sealed

6. Smooth Trowel-Finished Concrete

Smooth steel-troweled light gray concrete garage floor — Illustrative image — not a completed High Plains project.

A smooth trowel finish is created by working the surface with steel hand trowels or a power trowel until it is dense, flat and smooth. It is the standard finish for garage floors, basement slabs and interior concrete that may later receive flooring, stain or polish.

That smooth surface is easy to sweep, but it can be slick when wet or icy. It is usually not the right choice for exterior walkways, steps or sloped driveways.

Best for: Garage floors, basements, shop and shed slabs, interior concrete
Advantages: Clean, flat and easy to sweep; good base for coatings and stain
Disadvantages: Low traction when wet or icy; shows trowel marks and blemishes
Maintenance: Sweeping and occasional cleaning; sealer or coating optional
Cost vs. broom: Budget-Friendly — similar to broom finishing
Colorado weather: Best kept indoors or under cover; limited for exposed outdoor walking surfaces

7. Salt-Finished Concrete

Rock salt finished concrete surface with scattered small shallow pits — Illustrative image — not a completed High Plains project.

A salt finish is made by pressing coarse rock salt into the surface of fresh concrete, then washing the salt away after the concrete has hardened. The dissolved salt leaves a pattern of small, shallow pits that add subtle texture and some slip resistance.

Salt finishes are popular around pools in warm climates. In freeze-thaw climates like Colorado's, however, those little pits can hold water that freezes and expands, which can contribute to surface scaling. Many contractors advise against salt finishes for exterior concrete here.

Best for: Pool decks and patios in mild climates
Advantages: Subtle, soft texture; cooler-feeling than some decorative finishes
Disadvantages: Pits can trap water and dirt; vulnerable to freeze-thaw and deicer damage
Maintenance: Regular cleaning and sealing
Cost vs. broom: Moderate
Colorado weather: Poor fit for exposed exterior concrete in freeze-thaw conditions

8. Integrally Colored Concrete

Integrally colored tan concrete patio with a light broom texture and saw-cut joints — Illustrative image — not a completed High Plains project.

Like staining, integral coloring is a coloring method rather than a texture. Pigment is mixed into the concrete before it is placed, so the color runs all the way through the slab. Chips and wear show less than with surface-only color.

Integral color pairs with broom, stamped, sand or exposed aggregate finishes. Earth tones like tan, buff and soft gray blend well with Colorado landscapes. Expect some natural variation between pours and with weather during placement.

Best for: Patios, walkways, driveways, stamped work
Advantages: Color through the full depth; softer look than plain gray; can reduce glare
Disadvantages: Color can vary between pours; patches are hard to match exactly
Maintenance: Sealing helps preserve color and resist deicers and stains
Cost vs. broom: Moderate — pigment adds material cost
Colorado weather: Good, with the same mix and curing requirements as standard concrete

9. Sand-Finished Concrete

Close-up of sand-finished concrete with a fine gritty texture — Illustrative image — not a completed High Plains project.

A sand finish has a fine, sandpaper-like texture. It is typically created by lightly removing the surface paste to expose the fine sand in the mix, or by working sand into the surface during finishing.

It offers a clean, uniform look with more grip than a smooth trowel finish and a less pronounced texture than broom or exposed aggregate.

Best for: Walkways, patios, pool decks, entry areas
Advantages: Comfortable texture with good traction; subtle, even appearance
Disadvantages: Less dramatic than decorative finishes; technique varies by installer
Maintenance: Regular cleaning; sealing recommended for longevity
Cost vs. broom: Budget-Friendly to Moderate
Colorado weather: Good when properly cured and sealed

10. Saw-Cut Decorative Concrete

Concrete patio with decorative saw-cut lines forming a diamond tile grid in alternating gray tones — Illustrative image — not a completed High Plains project.

Saw-cutting is a decorative treatment that can be combined with other finishes. Every slab already needs control joints to manage where cracking occurs, and those joints are often saw-cut. Decorative saw-cutting goes further, scoring tile grids, diamonds, borders or custom designs into cured concrete.

Saw-cut patterns are often paired with stain or integral color to make each section look like a separate tile or stone.

Best for: Patios, porches, entries and interior floors
Advantages: Clean, tailored look; can be added to existing concrete; works with many finishes
Disadvantages: Cuts collect dirt; decorative cuts do not replace properly spaced control joints
Maintenance: Keep joints clean; reseal along with the rest of the surface
Cost vs. broom: Moderate — depends on pattern complexity
Colorado weather: Good when sealed; keep cuts clear of standing water

11. Decorative Concrete Overlays

Textured beige concrete overlay being applied over old worn gray concrete — Illustrative image — not a completed High Plains project.

Overlays are separate resurfacing systems, not a finish applied to fresh concrete. A thin layer of polymer-modified cementitious material is bonded to existing concrete, then textured, stamped, stained or sprayed into a decorative finish.

Overlays can refresh worn or stained concrete that is still structurally sound. They will not fix settling, heaving or major structural cracks — if the slab underneath is failing, concrete removal and replacement may be the better long-term answer.

Best for: Refreshing sound but tired patios, porches, pool decks and interior floors
Advantages: Avoids full tear-out; many decorative options
Disadvantages: Only as good as the slab and prep underneath; can delaminate if poorly bonded
Maintenance: Periodic sealing; repair chips promptly
Cost vs. broom: Moderate to Premium
Colorado weather: Varies by product and preparation; choose systems rated for freeze-thaw exposure

12. Swirl-Finished Concrete

Light gray concrete with a repeating overlapping circular swirl trowel texture — Illustrative image — not a completed High Plains project.

A swirl finish is created by moving a float or trowel in overlapping circular arcs across the surface as it sets. The pattern adds texture and traction while giving the concrete a softer, more handcrafted look than straight broom lines.

It is a simple, economical way to add character to walkways, pool decks and patios.

Best for: Walkways, patios, pool decks
Advantages: Good traction; distinctive look; little added material cost
Disadvantages: Consistency depends on the finisher's skill; not every installer offers it
Maintenance: Regular cleaning; sealer optional but helpful
Cost vs. broom: Budget-Friendly — similar to broom finishing
Colorado weather: Good, with the same mix and curing requirements as broom finishes

Concrete Finish Comparison Table

Use this table as a quick reference. Cost categories are relative to a standard broom-finished slab. Actual pricing depends on square footage, site preparation, demolition, project complexity, materials, sealers and installation requirements.

Comparison of 12 concrete finishes by appearance, applications, relative cost, maintenance and outdoor suitability
Concrete finish	Appearance	Best applications	Relative cost	Maintenance level	Outdoor suitability
Broom-Finished Concrete	Fine parallel ridges, plain gray	Driveways, walkways, patios	Budget-Friendly	Low	Excellent
Stamped Concrete	Stone, slate, brick or wood patterns	Patios, entries, pool decks	Premium	Moderate	Good (sealed, with slip additive)
Stained Concrete	Translucent, variegated color	Patios, porches, interior floors	Moderate	Moderate	Good (sealed)
Polished Concrete	Satin to high-gloss, reflective	Interior floors	Moderate to Premium	Low (indoors)	Not recommended
Exposed Aggregate Concrete	Pebbly, natural stone texture	Driveways, walkways, pool decks	Moderate	Low to Moderate	Excellent
Smooth Trowel-Finished Concrete	Flat, dense, smooth gray	Garages, basements, interior slabs	Budget-Friendly	Low	Limited (slick when wet)
Salt-Finished Concrete	Speckled with small pits	Pool decks in mild climates	Moderate	Moderate	Poor in freeze-thaw areas
Integrally Colored Concrete	Uniform color through the slab	Patios, walkways, driveways	Moderate	Low to Moderate	Good
Sand-Finished Concrete	Fine, even, gritty texture	Walkways, patios, pool decks	Budget-Friendly to Moderate	Low	Good
Saw-Cut Decorative Concrete	Scored grids, tiles or borders	Patios, entries, interior floors	Moderate	Moderate	Good (sealed)
Decorative Concrete Overlays	Varies: stamped, knockdown, smooth	Resurfacing sound existing concrete	Moderate to Premium	Moderate	Varies by product and prep
Swirl-Finished Concrete	Overlapping circular arcs	Walkways, patios, pool decks	Budget-Friendly	Low	Good

Swipe sideways to see all columns.

Best Concrete Finishes for Colorado Homes

Whatever finish you choose, Colorado concrete performs best when it starts with a good foundation: a compacted base, a properly air-entrained mix, slope for drainage, correctly spaced control joints, proper curing and a sealer that is compatible with the finish. No finish is completely slip-proof or maintenance-free, but these basics go a long way.

Driveways

A broom finish is the most common choice for concrete driveways because it offers dependable traction on slopes and in snow. Exposed aggregate is a popular decorative upgrade with similar grip. Textured decorative finishes, including some stamped patterns, can work on driveways, but very smooth stamp textures and glossy sealers can be slippery when wet or icy. Avoid smooth trowel and polished finishes on driveways.

Patios

Patios offer the most flexibility. Stamped concrete is a favorite for a stone or slate look, while a broom finish keeps things simple and economical. Integrally colored concrete, stain and saw-cut patterns add style without a full stamp. Explore options on our concrete patios page.

Walkways

For walkways and front entries, prioritize traction, drainage and durability, then appearance. Broom, sand, swirl and exposed aggregate finishes all provide good grip. Make sure walks slope away from the house and that sealers include a slip-resistant additive where needed.

Interior floors

Indoors, polished, stained and smooth-trowel finishes shine. They are easy to clean and pair well with radiant heat and modern design. Use rugs and mats near entries, since wet shoes can make smooth floors slippery.

Pool decks

Choose a pool deck finish for slip resistance and surface temperature first, not looks alone. Textured finishes, lighter colors and cool-deck-style coatings stay more comfortable under bare feet in summer sun. In Colorado, factor in freeze-thaw exposure too — which is why salt finishes are usually a poor fit here.

Which Concrete Finish Is Most Affordable?

Traditional broom-finished concrete is often among the more economical options. It uses standard materials, is finished with simple tools in a single visit, and doesn't need pigments, stamping mats or decorative sealers. Smooth trowel and swirl finishes are usually in a similar range.

Costs rise as finishes become more labor-intensive or require extra materials. Coloring (integral pigment or stain), stamping, decorative saw-cutting, additional surface preparation, multiple sealer coats and complex patterns all add time and cost. A plain broom slab with a stamped border is one way to add style while managing budget. The only way to know true cost is an on-site estimate based on your specific project.

Getting the Right Finish for Your Project

High Plains Concrete & Contracting installs concrete driveways, patios, stamped concrete, sidewalks and slabs for homeowners in Castle Rock, Parker, Highlands Ranch, Colorado Springs and surrounding communities. If your existing concrete is cracked, sunken or failing, we also handle concrete removal and replacement. We'll talk through which finishes suit your site, budget and Colorado weather — and be upfront about which ones we offer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most durable concrete finish?

Durability depends more on the mix, base preparation, curing and sealing than on the finish itself. Outdoors, broom-finished and exposed aggregate concrete are known for holding up well. Indoors, polished concrete is very durable and resists wear.

Is stamped concrete more expensive than broom-finished concrete?

Yes. Stamped concrete requires added labor, color, release agents and sealer, so it typically costs more than a standard broom finish. The difference depends on pattern, color and project size.

Can existing concrete be stained?

Often, yes. Existing concrete can be stained if it is clean, sound and free of sealers, paint or coatings that block penetration. Stain won't hide cracks or patches, and results vary with the age and condition of the concrete.

Is polished concrete slippery?

Polished concrete has good traction when dry but can become slippery when wet. That's why it is generally recommended for interior spaces rather than outdoor walking surfaces.

What is the best concrete finish for a Colorado driveway?

A broom finish is the most common choice because it provides reliable traction in snow and on slopes. Exposed aggregate is a good decorative alternative. Either should be installed with an air-entrained mix, proper drainage and good curing to handle freeze-thaw cycles.

Does decorative concrete need to be sealed?

Most decorative concrete — stamped, stained, colored and exposed aggregate — benefits from sealing to protect color and resist moisture, deicers and stains. Exterior sealers usually need to be reapplied every few years.

Can you change the finish of existing concrete?

To a degree. Sound concrete can be stained, saw-cut, ground or resurfaced with a decorative overlay. If the slab is cracked, settled or failing, replacement is usually the better option.

Which concrete finishes are easiest to maintain?

Broom, smooth trowel (indoors), swirl and sand finishes are generally low-maintenance. Polished concrete is easy to care for indoors. Decorative finishes like stamped or stained concrete need periodic resealing. No finish is completely maintenance-free.

Ready to Upgrade Your Concrete?

Whether you're looking for a classic broom-finished driveway or a decorative stamped concrete patio, High Plains Concrete & Contracting can help you explore options for your project.

Request a Free Concrete Estimate (719) 930-1560