Which finishing tool is used to trowel sidewalks that do not require a hard-trowel finish?

Which finishing tool is used to trowel sidewalks that do not require a hard-trowel finish?

• A. Fresnos
• B. Edgers
• C. Groovers
• D. Power trowels

Answer: (A)

The finishing tool chosen depends on the type of surface you want after floating. For sidewalks that don’t need a hard-trowel finish, a Fresno is ideal. It’s a broad, hand-finishing blade used after floating to smooth and blend the surface without packing it down into a dense, slick finish. This gives a uniform, accessible surface with the right texture for sidewalks that should remain slightly softer rather than mirror-smooth or polished. Edgers are used along the forms to shape and round the edge, not for finishing the main surface. Groovers are used to cut control joints to manage cracking. Power trowels produce a hard, dense finish on larger slabs and are not the right tool when a non–hard-trowel finish is desired.

The finishing tool chosen depends on the type of surface you want after floating. For sidewalks that don’t need a hard-trowel finish, a Fresno is ideal. It’s a broad, hand-finishing blade used after floating to smooth and blend the surface without packing it down into a dense, slick finish. This gives a uniform, accessible surface with the right texture for sidewalks that should remain slightly softer rather than mirror-smooth or polished.

Edgers are used along the forms to shape and round the edge, not for finishing the main surface. Groovers are used to cut control joints to manage cracking. Power trowels produce a hard, dense finish on larger slabs and are not the right tool when a non–hard-trowel finish is desired.