- 1). Screed the surface of the concrete porch. You can use a 2-by-4 as a screed, as long as it's absolutely flat. Drag the screed along the surface of the concrete with the edge of the screed extending over the wooden form the porch was poured into by 6 inches. The screed will level the concrete surface with the level of the forms, smoothing it in the process. Start the screed at one end of the porch, moving it with a sawing motion along the surface of the concrete to the opposite end.
- 2). Smooth the surface further and drag water to the top with a bull float. Wait for the concrete to absorb the water and then press the surface of the porch slab lightly with your thumb. Remove your thumb and check for an impression; if the impression remains, begin edging the slab.
- 3). Place a concrete edging tool so that the beveled edge falls between the slab and the edge of the wooden form around the slab. The edging tool should have the curved radius you desire for your porch. Make sure the edging tool lies flat against the porch surface.
- 4). Drag the edging tool along the edge of the concrete, shaping the edge of the porch to the radius of the tool. As you drag the tool, it should leave a light line where the edge of the flat of the edging tool furthest from the porch edge runs along the concrete. If there is no line, the tool is not flat against the surface, if the line is deep and distinctive, you are applying too much force on the flat of the tool.
- 5). Remove the edging tool from the porch.
- 6). Float the surface of the concrete a second time and then use a steel trowel to cut a groove down the width of your porch every 10 to 12 feet. Guide the cut with a straight edge.
- 7). Trowel over the grooves, covering them on the surface. The grooves will remain beneath, though, to provide expansion and contraction space in the porch to prevent cracking. Allow the porch slab to dry completely.
- 8). Remove the form from the edges of the slab. The concrete will dry with a rounded edge that prevents chipping. Seal the concrete with a layer of concrete sealant to finish the porch.
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