Concrete Floats
Concrete floats are used to level and smooth fresh concrete after screeding, helping push down aggregate and bring up paste for a uniform surface. They come in different materials and sizes, from hand floats to bull floats, each offering a different level of control depending on the slab and finish you want.
Why It Matters
Concrete floats matter because they set the whole slab up for success. Floating knocks down the highs, fills the lows, and brings up just enough cream so you’ve actually got something workable. It also tells you a lot about the concrete — if it’s still too wet, too dry, or right in that sweet spot. A good float pass makes everything that comes after it easier and cleaner.
Tips & Tricks When Using a Float
- Rub the coating off your new float— Rub it on a garage floor or sand off the coating this will allow a smoother finish.
- The more you use your float the better it gets—No seriously your float will wear down the way you finish concrete. this is why old timers won’t let anyone use their tools and why you shouldn’t either.
Swing your arm back and forth — one pass pushing forward, the next pass pulling back to wipe your float marks away.
Let the concrete tell you what it needs — if it’s dragging, it’s too dry; if it’s smearing, it’s too wet.
Use a wood float when the slab starts tightening up to bring up cream and keep control.
Use a mag float for smoothing once the surface is workable.
Don’t overwork it — too many passes brings up water and weakens the surface.
Keep your float clean so it doesn’t chatter or leave streaks.
My Tool Recommendations
MARSHALLTOWN Cast Magnesium Hand Float, 16 Inch x 3-1/8 Inch
This is the industry’s go‑to hand float — the one most finishers rely on. It only gets better as it breaks in, giving you smoother control and a more consistent finish. A perfect starter float
MARSHALLTOWN Round End Magnesium Hand Float, 16 Inch x 3-1/8 Inch
This float is extremely user‑friendly, and its rounded edges are designed to eliminate float marks. I was honestly surprised to learn it’s their best‑selling model — but once you use it, it makes sense.
MARSHALLTOWN 20 Inch Beveled End Magnesium Hand Float, Concrete, 20 Inches,
This float shouldn’t be the first tool in your wheelhouse, but it’s great to have when you want a little extra length. It gives you more reach and helps you cover wider areas without switching tools
QLT by MARSHALLTOWN 48 Inch Magnesium Bull Float with Rock-It 2.0 Bracket
A bull float smooths and levels fresh concrete right after screeding, pushing down aggregate and bringing up paste to create an even surface on larger slabs. this rocket bracket is a game changer allowing you to twist the handle to control the pitch.
MARSHALLTOWN Resin Hand Float, 14 x 3-1/2 Inch, DuraSoft Handle
A resin float opens the surface and creates a smooth, even texture without leaving marks. It brings up paste cleanly and works well when the concrete starts to tighten but you still need control.
MARSHALLTOWN Concrete Wood Hand Float, 12 x 5 Inch, Made in the USA
A wood float has saved me more than once when concrete starts to tighten up. As the slab gets harder, a wood float can still work the surface easily, bringing up cream and giving you more time to finish without fighting the concrete.
New to concrete and need the essential hand tools? Start with this starter kit — it gives you everything you need to begin finishing with confidence.”
MARSHALLTOWN Concrete Apprentice Tool Kit in Canvas Bag, Includes 6 Concrete Tools
This kit comes with a mag float, trowel, wood float, margin trowel, edger, and a jointer. I highly recommend it for anyone building their hand‑tool stockpile — it covers all the essentials you’ll use on every concrete job.