What is salt finish concrete?

Concrete lovers, meet your new fave finish

Salted Popcorn. Salty French fries. Salt makes so many wonderful dishes even better. So why should we let food have all the fun? Add a dash to concrete! While our brilliant team at Mathews Readymix would love to take the credit for this concoction, salt finish concrete is not a new idea. So what is salt finish concrete? 

Salt finish concrete

Known as a decorative concrete, salt finish concrete is made by pairing coarse rock salt with concrete. Just like putting salt on chips boosts the flavor factor, salt on concrete adds visual interest. It gives the final product a unique speckled look.

How do you make salt finish concrete?

The process for making salt finish concrete is similar to regular concrete in practice, just with a few extra steps. After the concrete is poured, coarse rock salt is sprinkled over top. Then, it’s pressed into the concrete with a roller or a hand trowel. Once the concrete has cured, the salt is pressure washed away, leaving behind an interesting pattern ready to be finished with a sealant. 

What is salt finish concrete good for?

Salt finish concrete is a great fit for clients who want to add color and interest to their concrete project. It’s an alternative to adding color through staining on large jobs, like the concrete floor trend, since color variations can occur between different batches of concrete. Salt finish, on the other hand, offers a more uniform look. 

Where does a salt finish work best?

Salt finish concrete is best suited for warmer climates, because if water freezes in the salt indentations during curing, it could compromise the integrity of the concrete. This is one of the many reasons salt finish concrete is more popular in California and the southern states than northern and midwestern areas. 

Why should you use a salt finish?

While salt finish concrete can definitely dress up regular concrete, it has practical value, too. Because the finish adds texture to concrete, it offers extra traction underfoot. This is helpful for those concerned about slippery surfaces both indoors and out. 

Spice up your slab with salt

If you’ve been thinking to yourself, ”What is salt finish concrete good for?”, now you know! It offers a visual upgrade to standard slabs of concrete and provides great traction for otherwise slippery surfaces. And the best news is, you can find this finish at Mathews Readymix. Contact us today to learn if it’s right for your next concrete project!