Concrete Surface Profile—usually shortened to CSP—is a way of describing how rough a prepared concrete surface is. It gives coating and repair manufacturers a more useful target than vague instructions such as “roughen the concrete.”
What the CSP Numbers Mean
ICRI uses numbered benchmark profiles, from relatively light texture to progressively more aggressive roughness. The profile needed depends on the material being installed. A thin sealer or coating typically needs a different surface than a thick polymer overlay or repair mortar.
Why More Aggressive Is Not Automatically Better
The purpose is not to make the concrete as rough as possible. The purpose is to create the profile the system was designed to wet, penetrate or mechanically lock into. Too little profile can reduce adhesion; too much can increase material consumption, telegraph texture or fall outside the coating manufacturer’s specification.
Preparation Methods Produce Different Profiles
ICRI’s guidance compares methods such as detergent cleaning, water cleaning, acid etching, grinding, abrasive blasting, shot blasting, scarifying and high-pressure water jetting. The method is selected after considering the existing substrate, contaminants, coating thickness and job conditions.
A Homeowner-Friendly Question to Ask
If a contractor says the driveway or pool deck will be “ground” or “etched,” ask what surface condition they are trying to achieve and what the coating manufacturer requires. A named preparation method is useful, but the finished substrate is what the coating actually sees.
Example: Thin-Film Coatings
Sherwin-Williams’ current high-performance flooring preparation guide states that certain coating and sealing applications in the 4–15 mil range require CSP 1, 2 or 3, typically achieved through decontamination followed by acid etching, grinding or light shot blasting. That is a useful example of why the coating system and profile belong in the same specification.