What is a hand float used for in concrete?
A hand float is used to level and smooth these areas so that they match the rest of the slab. Floats also can be used around obstacles, such as pipes and drains, where more precision is needed. Learning how to use a hand float correctly will take some practice, but the techniques can be used on any concrete job.
What is the difference between a bull float and a hand float?
A bull float, which is used to smooth 95% of a slab, has a tendency either to pull a small amount of concrete away from the edges of the slab or to push concrete toward the edges. A hand float is used to level and smooth these areas so that they match the rest of the slab.
How to choose the right concrete float for the job?
Choosing the Right Concrete Float for the Job. 1 Bull Floats. Bull floats allow the operator to reach far out onto a slab without having to get on the concrete with knee boards. This is because these ... 2 Screed Floats. 3 Magnesium and Aluminum Hand Floats. 4 Wood Hand Floats. 5 Resin Hand Floats. More items
What is a power float used for?
A Power Float is an electric or petrol driven machine that, from a distance, looks rather like a rotary hover mower. It is a human driven machine that is used to polish in-situ concrete beds with a smooth, dense, and level surface finish.
What is the purpose of hand floating or bull floating?
Hand Floats and Darbies Hand floats create a smooth surface by pushing any exposed aggregate down. The hand float is a more precise tool than the bull float for floating harder to reach areas. It also removes imperfections left behind from the bull floating process.
What's the difference between a float and a trowel?
A float has a thicker base than a trowel and is usually made of plastic, sponge, rubber, wood or magnesium – a lightweight pale grey metal. It's used to even up the surface on plaster or concrete, make it firmer and give whatever texture is required.
What does hand float mean?
[′hand ‚flōt] (engineering) A wooden tool used to fill in and smooth a plaster surface in order to produce a level base coat or a textured finish coat.
When should I take magnesium trowel?
Once your top is flat from screeding, use a magnesium float to flatten and smooth the top while opening the pores of the fresh concrete, allowing bleed water to evaporate and air to escape. Once the concrete is firm enough and all bleed water has evaporated, use a steel trowel for your final finish.
When should you float concrete?
Float the concrete when you're done grooving and edging (Photo 6). Floating removes the marks left by edging and brings the surface one step closer to a final finish. You may have to bear down on the float if the concrete is starting to harden.
How long do you wait to float concrete?
You can use your concrete for light foot traffic 3 to 4 days after placement, and you can drive and park on your concrete after 5 to 7 days, but curing isn't complete until the 28 day mark.
Can you finish concrete with just a bull float?
Concrete used for visible projects, such as driveways, patios and sidewalks, often requires finishing. Finishing is a process that gives a concrete surface the desired smoothness, texture and durability. A bull float is a tool used for finishing concrete.
How long do you wait to bull float concrete?
Darbying or bull floating should be done immediately after "screeding", or after the concrete has been tamped if tamping was done. This process should be finished before excess moisture or bleedwater appear on the surface.
Can you use a rubber float on concrete?
0:473:49Hand Floats & Darby Finishing Tool Video—ConcreteNetwork.comYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe mag float is frequently used on concrete that has air entraining admixtures. And as long as you'MoreThe mag float is frequently used on concrete that has air entraining admixtures. And as long as you're not sealing or floating.
How do I get a smooth finish on concrete?
3:4211:30Learn How To Finish Concrete Smooth | Steel Trowel ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou always want to float the concrete. First this will help level it a little better help smooth itMoreYou always want to float the concrete. First this will help level it a little better help smooth it a little better. And it just makes the whole process go a little easier.
Why are floats made of magnesium?
While hand floats are primarily available in wood and magnesium, the most popular are made of magnesium. This is because magnesium floats are extremely durable and easily slide across the surface. Wood floats are rougher and typically limited to floating non-air-entrained and high-slump concretes.
What can I use instead of a trowel?
A hori hori knife is also known as a soil or weeding knife, and is the Japanese equivalent of a garden trowel. It has a serrated blade for cutting roots, and a wider blade than other garden knives for digging soil.
What is steel float used for?
A Metal Float is a tool with a smooth metallic plain that is applied on flattened layers of mortar and concrete during surface finishing.
What is a mag float for concrete?
Magnesium smooths the surface of fresh concrete and opens the pores for proper evaporation, all without pulling the surface like a wood or resin tool. Most magnesium floats are extruded or cast.
What is a wood float finish?
Wood float finish means a sidewalk finish that is made by smoothing the surface of the sidewalk with a wooden trowel. of sidewalks upon the abutting property owner and to minimize the liability of the City.
What is float finish?
Definition of float finish : a finish produced on plaster, mortar, or concrete surfaces by use of a float.
What is a wood float?
A wood float is the least expensive option, but it isn’t durable over the long haul. Because a wood float is dragged over a rough concrete surface, constantly soaking up bleed water, and is hosed down after use, it’s surface becomes rough and fuzzed-up, which tends to pull and drag at the surface of the concrete rather than smoothing it. This effect sometimes can be useful, though, especially when working with really stiff concrete or concrete that is setting up too hard. Wood is preferred when applying shake-on color hardeners, which need to be worked into the top surface of the slab.
What is a laminated resin float?
Laminated-canvas-resin floats have an extremely dense “waffle” surface that gives the concrete the same slightly rough texture as a wood float. The advantage to paying twice the cost of a wood float is that you get a much more durable tool. Canvas resin doesn’t soak up water, so it won’t fuzz up after repeated use on wet concrete and after being hosed off at the end of a job.
Why does wood float on concrete?
Because a wood float is dragged over a rough concrete surface, constantly soaking up bleed water, and is hosed down after use, it’s surface becomes rough and fuzzed-up, which tends to pull and drag at the surface of the concrete rather than smoothing it.
Is magnesium float lighter than aluminum?
Although they are slightly weaker than their aluminum counterparts, magnesium floats are lighter, and are often only slightly more expensive. Magnesium smooths the surface of fresh concrete and opens the pores for proper evaporation, all without pulling the surface like a wood or resin tool.
Is aluminum float the same as magnesium?
Aluminum floats have many of the same characteristics as magnesium floats, but they are roughly 30% heavier and 30% stronger. Like magnesium, aluminum opens the pores of fresh concrete, allowing bleed water to evaporate.
Concrete Bull and Channel Floats
Bull floating occurs immediately after striking off, or screeding, the concrete. It is conducted for large areas and requires workers to stand upright to float the concrete. There are two types of these floats: bull and channel. The type of application and the amount of concrete will determine which one to use.
Common Hand Float Types
Hand floats and darbies come in wood, aluminum, resin (or composite), and magnesium. Each comes in a variety of sizes and lengths. Handles are often purchased separately because they also come in different materials and offer different levels of comfort.
Hand Floats and Darbies
After using the bull float to smooth out most of the concrete slab, the hand float is used to finish the floating process. The hand float gets into unfinished areas around edges and obstacles, like pipes or drains, that protrude from the slab so those areas match the rest of the slab.
Considerations When Purchasing a Concrete Float or Darby
The most important consideration in selecting a float or darby is application and use. If the area is small and you can kneel beside your project and reach the perimeter, you can use a hand float.
What is Wooden Float Used for?
The primary purpose of a wooden float is to smooth out plaster that has been freshly poured or applied to a surface.
What tool is used in place of a float?
The most common tool used in place of a float is a finishing trowel.
What is a smaller version of a grouting pad used for?
The smaller versions are often used for smoothing out plaster and grouting with the larger versions being used on wide surfaces to cover as much area as possible.
What is a float board?
Crafted from wood, plastic, and rubber, although some floats will substitute metal for the wood, the float is really a small board with a handle used to level out plaster when it is applied.
How to store floats?
Be sure to store the float in a clean place that is dry which will avoid moisture issues.
How often should you clean a float?
You should always clean the float after each use. Once you are done for the day, thoroughly clean and rinse the float so it can be used again.
Is a trowel the same as a float?
At first glance, a wooden float and a trowel appear to be identical at least in terms of the overall shape.
How long is a float handle?
The handle can measure anywhere from 4 feet to 16 feet long. Handles either snap onto the float or are threaded on. A bracket assembly allows the angle to be adjusted to different positions so that the float can reach the concrete surface at the angle needed for the job.
Why do we use wood floats?
Wood floats are particularly useful in those stressful instances in which concrete is setting up too quickly. Wood floats rough up the surface of concrete more than does magnesium, almost forcing moisture to the surface while opening the surface up (or increasing porosity) for surface applications of color, hardener, etc.
What is a mag float?
A mag float is simply a flat piece of magnesium or aluminum attached to a handle. The tool allows the user to float concrete at his or her desired pressure and angle. Mag floats are also available in a wide range of lengths and widths. Handles are also increasingly being designed with user comfort in mind.
What is a screed float?
Screed floats are designed as a two-in-one application for large concrete pours. They are typically feature a float attached to a motor with handles. Additionally, attachments are offered in a variety of sizes and materials. Magnesium options offer a way to essentially screed and float in one step – as the concrete is placed, the operator pulls the float along the surface of the material (screeding) and the magnesium blade leaves a smooth (floated) surface.
What is the difference between mag and aluminum floats?
As a general rule mag (magnesium) and aluminum floats tend to seal, while wood and resin floats tend to open or bring more paste to the surface of concrete.”. There are floats available for virtually any application, big or small.
What is a wood float for concrete?
Every concrete contractor should have a wood float in his or her toolbox. Wood floats are made of hardwood ( mahogany or teak, for example) to resist wear and warping. Like mag floats, wood floats are also available in an assortment of widths and lengths with a variety of handles of various designs attached in any number of places. Wood floats are particularly useful in those stressful instances in which concrete is setting up too quickly. Wood floats rough up the surface of concrete more than does magnesium, almost forcing moisture to the surface while opening the surface up (or increasing porosity) for surface applications of color, hardener, etc.
How long is a bull float?
This is because these floats consist of a long handle attached to a wood, resin, aluminum or magnesium float. The handle can measure anywhere from 4 feet to 16 feet long.
What is a float tool?
A float can be a small hand tool, a larger bull float with a long handle, or an engine-powered power trowel (also known as a power float). Generally, concrete floats are composed of magnesium, aluminum, or wood.
What is a power float?
A Power Float is an electric or petrol driven machine that, from a distance, looks rather like a rotary hover mower. It is a human driven machine that is used to polish in-situ concrete beds with a smooth, dense, and level surface finish.
Why Should You Use Power-Floated Concrete?
While power floating concrete makes a concrete surface flatter and smoother, it also makes it denser. This results in a longer-lasting, more appealing, and easier-to-maintain surface.
When Should You Float Concrete?
When you’re through grooving and edging, float the concrete. Floating eliminates the edge markings and puts the surface one step closer to completion. If the concrete begins to firm, you may need to bear down on the float.
What Are Concrete Floats Made of?
Magnesium, aluminum, or wood floats are the most often used materials for decorative concrete work. Stainless steel, rubber, and laminated wood or canvas resin are less frequently used float materials. Bull floats feature a long handle that is used to push or pull the float across huge expanses of concrete.
How Much Does a Concrete Float Cost?
A 4-foot magnesium bull float with bracket costs between $100 and $125, while a 14-inch magnesium hand float costs $18. Wood floats are priced differently depending on the type of wood used, but are normally less expensive than magnesium.
What Is the Difference Between a Trowel and a Concrete Float?
A concrete float has a wider base than a trowel and is typically composed of plastic, sponge, rubber, wood, or magnesium – a light grey metal. It is used to level the surface of plaster or concrete, to make it firmer, and to impart any desired texture. The finish will be determined by the float selected.
What is a wood float used for in concrete?
Bull floats made of laminated wood are used to release the pores in setting concrete and to push any extra water to the surface.
What is a wooden float used for?
Despite its name, the float has many woodworking applications beyond making planes. It is used to cut, flatten, and smooth (or float) important areas of wood by abrasion.
Why do you float concrete?
After grooving and edging the concrete, float it to remove the edging marks and bring the surface closer to a finished appearance. If the concrete is beginning to harden, you may need to press down on the float.2 Sept 2021
Whats a float used for?
A float is a tool with a curved handle and a flat surface made of plastic, wood, rubber, or metal that is used to float or glide over freshly applied plaster to smooth out any surface irregularities after it has begun to firm up.
What is a concrete boat float?
Concrete can be made to float if it is made to resemble a boat. A hollow or boat-shaped object will displace more water than the volume of solid material it contains because it has a low density, which causes it to float.
What does it mean to float the surface of concrete?
After the surface has been leveled with a screed, a concrete float is used to finish the concrete surface by making it smooth. In addition to removing surface imperfections, floating will compact the concrete as a preparation for further steps.
Why does magnesium float for concrete?
Magnesium floats smooth the surface of fresh concrete and open the pores for proper evaporation, all without pulling the surface like a wood or resin tool, despite the fact that they are slightly weaker than their aluminum counterparts.
What is a Float, and what is a Trowel?
In order to achieve a smooth and level surface for concrete, a float is used. In several different ways, this method is being used to make the concrete surface smooth and glossy.
What Are the Differences Between These Two Applications: Float Vs Trowel?
There are many differences between these two applications. Let’s take a look at some of the key differences:
Which is the Better Option for You?
The answer to this question will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you need to create a smooth, glossy finish, the float is better. If you need to create a textured finish, on the other hand, the trowel is the better option.
The Different Types of Trowels and Floats
There are a variety of different types of trowels, each of which is designed for a specific purpose. Some of the most common types of trowels include:
Conclusion
With the knowledge that you now have about floats and trowels and the different types of each, you should have no trouble choosing the right tool for the job you are about to tackle. Just remember to consider the specific needs of your project before making your final decision.
Why do we use floats in programming?
Since the early days of computer programming, floats have provided the ability to hold numbers including decimal fractions as data types. Understanding the nature of the float is vital in type conversion, in declaring variables, and in using variables within a codebase. If the data types are not correctly handled, errors can result.
What Does Float Mean?
In computer science, a float is a data type composed of a number that is not an integer, because it includes a fraction represented in decimal format.
Is float memory used in computer programming?
Through the years, as computer programming involved, the use of floats and other data types were optimized for various kinds of memory usage. However, going back to Marianne Bellotti’s COBOL article, the point remains that accommodating float variables takes work and may lead to all kinds of debates about the best programming language or environment for a given system.
Does float include decimal fractions?
However, it may be simpler to say that the float includes decimal fractions , where the integer does not . Some point out that the float data type is used in computer programming when more precision is needed than what integers can provide. Advertisement.
