In what order should you finish concrete?

To finish concrete properly, it's essential to follow the correct sequence of tasks that enhance the surface quality and achieve the desired finish. The correct order starts with screeding, which involves leveling the freshly poured concrete so that it is flat and smooth, ensuring a consistent thickness.

Following screeding, floating is performed. This step helps to further smooth the surface and push the coarse aggregate down, while bringing the finer cement paste to the surface for a better finish. Floating also helps in filling any low spots that were not addressed during screeding.

Next, edging is conducted. This involves using an edging tool to create a clean joint along the perimeter of the slab, which reduces chipping and provides a finished look. This step is vital for controlling cracking along the edges.

Lastly, troweling is done. This process further refines the surface after floating and edging, creating a hard and smooth finish that can be polished if desired. Troweling compresses the surface down and enhances the density, making it suitable for high traffic use.

Using this order—screeding, floating, edging, and then troweling—ensures a high-quality concrete finish that is both durable and aesthetically pleasing.