Driveway Apron - What finish?

[chops101]

I just pulled the trigger on commencing with having a driveway apron poured at my backyard car shop (hobby). it will be 33' wide x 20' length x 6" deep.

This apron will spill out to grass only; no driveway. My shop is ~900sf and I want this outside area as an extension of my shop for car restoration sandblasting, wire wheeling, etc, just to keep some of the nastier stuff out of the shop.
My concrete guy will do whatever finish I want, he suggests a light broom for the anti-slip characteristics, I am leaning to a trowel finish as if it is just a continuing part of my work space.

It will be a good chunk of change that won't add any value to the property, I will have to have a pumper on hand to move the pour 200', I don't want to regret my decision.

Comments/thoughts??

 

[skcj213]

My recommendation would be a light broom finish. You get a lot of rain in South Florida, a trowel finish could be a slip hazard when wet.

 

[levimorris85]

Since it is outside and going to have moisture on it from time to time i vote for a light broom finish, similar to a poured patio. That way if you are using water for something or during your florida rains it wont be slick while working on it. Yes it may hold some sand from the blasting but i would still prefer a little texture.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I'd go with a floated finish. A light broom finish might be OK.

My last driveway I did a broom finish. It held dirt and it was rough to work on (like 80 grit sandpaper). Lots of torn jeans and scuffed skin.
My current driveway I did a very light broom finish but I don't work on it much. Still feels rough and dirty (just not as bad).
The pad in front of my shop is old with a floated finish. It's a fairly steep slope for a driveway. It doesn't get icy and doesn't collect much dirt.

 

[YukonXL04]

My new driveway is a very light broom finish, you can walk barefoot on it just fine. I suggest that.

 

[chops101]

Thanks all. I'll talk to my concrete guy. I think I'll go with a very light broom with a delineated rock salt border.

 

[Chris705]

Just a bull floated finish sounds like what you'd be after. Not to slick and not to rough.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thanks all. I'll talk to my concrete guy. I think I'll go with a very light broom with a delineated rock salt border.

I broomed the apron on my garage but it is only 4', the width of the garage. What you're pouring is more of an outside pad. I think I'd want more than a broom finish. If they power trowel it, they don't have to make it super some and burn it, they can leave a little bit of texture on it so it won't be slick.

EDIT:
Granted the "very" light broom finish should wear down over time or if it's too rough, you might be able to sand it down like a garage floor is done before putting a coating like expoxy down. Doing that would allow you to get the damn near perfect finish that you want.