What finish does the top of a raft slab have?

A raft slab’s top surface is typically finished with a standard trowelled or floated finish, suitable as a base for whatever floor covering (tiles, timber, carpet) is planned above it — not intended as a genuinely finished, exposed surface in most residential applications.

Where a slab will remain exposed as the final floor surface (some contemporary designs, garages, sheds), a more specific finish can be requested — worth discussing this with your contractor if this applies to your project.

The genuine finish requirement depends entirely on your flooring plans — confirming this with your builder or flooring installer before the pour ensures the slab surface is prepared appropriately for what’s going on top of it.

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