Why does nobody talk about broom finishes on driveways anymore?

Tbh I was finishing a 30x40 driveway in Cleveland last Tuesday and the homeowner kept asking for a smooth trowel finish like it was a basement floor. I told him that's gonna be a skating rink when it gets wet and he just shrugged. Three neighbors came by and all of them said they preferred the look of a light broom finish too. Has anyone else noticed people just don't know what works best for outdoor slabs?

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sethc121mo ago

Yeah, you're totally right. It's like people see a smooth finish on a Pinterest board or something but don't realize that's for indoors. I did a patio last fall and the guy wanted it smooth too, til I showed him a wet towel on a piece of smooth concrete and how easy it is to slip. A light broom finish just makes sense for driveways, especially in places like Cleveland where you actually get rain and snow.