9 Types of Concrete Finishes for Patios

A new concrete patio can instantly elevate your outdoor entertaining space, but you can take it one step further by customizing the surface. In this guide, we’ll discuss nine types of concrete finishes for patios and help you decide which one is perfect for your project.

1. Broom Finish

A broom finish involves dragging a deck broom over the surface of the concrete before it fully cures to create ridges and texture. This is common on sidewalks to reduce the risk of slipping, but it’s also a solid option for patios, especially in areas that see snow, ice, and rain. A broom finish will cost you between $4 and $7 per square foot. Brushed concrete isn’t as appealing as stamped concrete or a salt finish, but it’s much more affordable and still offers good slip resistance.

Best for: Minimizing the risk of slipping on wet concrete

2. Exposed Aggregate

Exposed aggregate concrete provides a similar texture to a broom finish, but instead of creating ridges with a broom, your professional will sand down the top layer of the concrete to expose the large pieces of aggregate inside. This creates a more rustic and aesthetically pleasing appearance than a broom finish while still providing slip resistance. It’s also affordable, costing just $2 to $3 per square foot.

As a side note, an exposed aggregate finish can keep concrete resurfacing costs down the road to a minimum, as the rough surface will likely mean you’ll need minimal prep to ensure good bonding of the new concrete to the old concrete.

Best for: Reducing slip resistance while maintaining a more rustic and natural appearance

3. Painted

Painted concrete gives you lots of options for color, of course, so you can get a truly custom appearance to match your home’s aesthetic or your yard. Concrete paint is an easy way to finish concrete yourself, but if you hire a concrete professional to do it for you, you’ll pay between $2 and $6 per square foot for the finish. Painted concrete can be slippery, so it’s not ideal in cold or wet climates, and it requires reapplication every few years, especially with heavy foot traffic.

Best for: Color customization in dry or warm climates

4. Polished

Polished concrete has a slick, lightly reflective surface that looks clean and modern. It’s a common concrete floor finish option, but you can bring that same level of beauty outside, too. Polishing concrete is time-intensive and requires specialized tools, so expect to pay between $3 and $10 per square foot for this finish. Polished concrete is slick and can easily get slippery, so it’s not ideal in areas that see snow, ice, and heavy rainfall.

Best for: A modern appearance where slip resistance isn’t a concern

5. Salt Finish

A salt finish on concrete provides a unique appearance and patterned texture that provides some beauty and slip resistance. Your professional will lay down coarse salt on the concrete surface before it sets and then wash it away afterward to leave the impressions behind. This is an expensive option that takes skill and technique that a DIYer likely won’t possess, but it’s a unique concrete finish option that will easily stand out in your yard. However, it comes at a steep cost, with prices between $8 and $12 per square foot.

Best for: A unique finish option that provides some texture to reduce slip risk

6. Smooth/Trowel Finish

As the name suggests, a smooth finish or trowel concrete finish is mostly smooth, but it’s not quite as slick as polished concrete. The concrete surface will be flat but with minimal variation to create some natural texture. This finish costs between $4 and $7 per square foot, and while it’s possible to DIY, you’ll get the best results if you hire a pro to do it for you.

Best for: Homeowners looking for a clean, simple finish to blend modern and rustic looks

7. Stained

Stained concrete is another option if you want custom colors but don’t want the high maintenance that comes with a painted concrete patio. Your pro will mix stain into the concrete before pouring, which means the color is much less likely to fade and will never scrape off of the surface, even with high traffic. Stained concrete isn’t as vibrant as painted concrete, but it can be less slippery because you can couple it with a textured surface. Expect to pay between $5 and $10 per square foot for this option.

Best for: Homeowners who want color customization with minimal maintenance and high slip resistance

8. Stamped Concrete

To install stamped concrete, your local concrete finishing company will place heavy stamps on the surface of your concrete while it’s curing to create a customized appearance. You can make your concrete look like pavers, brick, wooden planks, and much more. This is an expensive option at between $5 and $15 per square foot, especially if you couple it with staining to nail down the look of a different material. However, it’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing types of concrete finishes for a patio, and depending on the stamp, it could provide a low risk of slipping. If you want your concrete patio to add to your home value, this is the way to go.

Best for: Securing a luxurious appearance or making your concrete look like another high-end material

9. Stenciled

Stenciled concrete is similar to stamped concrete, but your professional will place stencils sporadically across the surface instead of texturing the entire concrete slab. Stenciled concrete is barely more expensive than the cost of a standard concrete patio, adding as little as $1 per square foot to your total.

Best for: A more affordable option to stamped concrete if you don’t want the entire surface textured