Exposed Aggregate Concrete: Cost, Pros, and Cons
Express your design style with this unique concrete finish
Exposed aggregate concrete offers beauty and unique detailing without losing durability.
It comes in a variety of colors, styles, designs, and textures.
It works well for driveways, patios, walkways, and more.
It costs $2 to $3 more per square foot than standard concrete.
A concrete professional should install it for you to ensure a uniform look.
Like the strength and durability of concrete but wish it could be a little more decorative? Exposed aggregate concrete is a great way to add texture, color, and custom design elements like pebbles, stones, or shells to a driveway, patio, or walkway. Learn more about exposed aggregate concrete, its benefits and drawbacks, how much it costs, and how to maintain it.
What is Exposed Aggregate Concrete?
Exposed aggregate concrete is concrete that displays stones, pebbles, sand, recycled glass, or shells on the surface. It comes in a range of colors, textures, and styles, depending on the aggregate you choose. When pouring exposed aggregate concrete, a contractor removes the top layer with a chemical inhibitor, water washing, or etching. Exposed aggregate concrete is also called decorative concrete or pebble finish.
How is Exposed Aggregate Concrete Made?
There are two main ways to create exposed aggregate concrete: mixing and seeding or topping.
Standard exposed aggregate concrete is a cement mixture that your contractor blends before pouring. Mixing the materials before pouring is an effective way to get a uniform appearance. Topping or seeding is when a contractor pours regular concrete and then spreads a layer of aggregate material on top.
With either method, a contractor sprays a chemical surface retarder over the top and allows it to cure for a day. After fully curing, the contractor pressure washes the surface to reveal the stones, shells, or other decorative material mixed into the concrete. They apply a sealer to protect the surface and ensure it remains durable for years to come.
Where to Use Exposed Aggregate Concrete
There are many places to use exposed aggregate concrete on your property, whether it’s residential or commercial. It’s a good way to add some texture for slip resistance while also achieving a customized look.
The table below includes some of the best places for exposed aggregate concrete, along with some of their benefits.
| Location | Key Benefit |
|---|---|
| Alfresco | Aesthetic appeal |
| Driveway | Curb appeal |
| Garden stones | Slip resistance |
| Patio | Slip resistance |
| Plaza | Slip resistance |
| Pool deck | Slip resistance |
| Retaining wall | Aesthetic appeal |
| Sidewalk | Slip resistance |
| Walkway | Slip resistance |
Types and Styles of Exposed Aggregate Concrete
With exposed aggregate concrete, you can choose from a wide variety of types of concrete and styles, just like you would with standard concrete. You can play with different slab shapes, borders, and colors if you’re painting or staining your concrete. On top of the standard customization, you can choose from a few types of aggregate, which will affect the look and feel of your concrete surface. Below are some of the most popular aggregate options.
Crushed stone
Shells
Pebbles
Decomposed granite
Recycled glass
Quartzite
Salt rocks
Basalt
Limestone
Color options include white, gray, black, brown, blue, tan, multicolor, and more. You can include more than one color and style of exposed aggregate to form borders, shapes, and geometric patterns for even more customization.
Work with a local concrete driveway company to select the style, texture, and color you like best. An experienced pro can help you create a custom look and design for your outdoor space.
Benefits of Exposed Aggregate Concrete
You’ll enjoy some appealing benefits when choosing exposed aggregate concrete for your project.
Durability: Exposed aggregate concrete can withstand harsh weather conditions just as well as standard concrete and better than stone. Salting in the winter can damage concrete, but the added slip resistance makes it less likely that you’ll need salt for safety, so you could see more life from exposed aggregate concrete in colder climates.
Minimal maintenance: This concrete requires little upkeep outside of an annual cleaning (pressure washer approved) and resealing every three years. You’ll never need to polish the surface.
Long lifespan: Under most conditions, exposed aggregate concrete lasts 30 to 50 years.
Aesthetics: Exposed aggregate concrete offers a more natural look than standard concrete, and the beauty can last a lifetime.
Improved traction and slip resistance: The roughness of the surface provides good traction for vehicles and shoes, making it a great option for driveways, sidewalks, walkways, and patios in cold weather where snow and ice are common.
Eco-friendliness: Exposed aggregate often includes recycled materials such as slag and other waste products.
Wide range of options: Exposed aggregate concrete comes in a variety of colors, designs, styles, and materials.
Low cost for decorative concrete: It’s an affordable alternative to stamped or painted concrete, adding just $2 to $3 per square foot to your concrete slab installation cost.
Drawbacks of Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Of course, there are some cons to consider, as well.
Prone to minor damage: Decorative stones and pieces may get damaged over time if the surface experiences consistent, heavy traffic or dense use of deicing salts, just like with regular concrete.
Costs more than standard concrete: Exposed aggregate costs $2 to $3 more per square foot than standard concrete.
More difficult to repair: Due to the intricacy of the design and installation method, resurfacing or repairing exposed aggregate can be more challenging, especially when it comes to matching the color of the existing aggregate.
Requires professional installation: You’ll need to hire a concrete contractor to pour exposed aggregate concrete to achieve a uniform look and flat surface and meet construction codes.
Tips on How to Do Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Ensure your new exposed aggregate concrete is exactly what you’re looking for with these tips:
Decide the level of exposure you want. First and foremost, figure out how exposed and textured you want your surface to be. You may want to limit exposure for patios and pool decks that people may walk on barefoot, but increase the grit and exposure for driveways for improved traction.
Determine the right mix of aggregate. Premixed exposed aggregate concrete comes in various materials, aggregate densities, and colors, so pick a mix that has the finished look you want.
Match the surface to its use. Choose more durable aggregate like crushed stone for high-traffic areas like driveways, but feel free to choose more delicate additions like seashells and recycled glass for places that can fully showcase its finish, like patios and walkways.
Select the right sealer. Exposed aggregate concrete sealer can range from fully matte to high gloss and everything in between. Pick a type of concrete finish that enhances the surface and is appropriate for its intended use.
Cost of Exposed Aggregate Concrete
The cost of exposed aggregate concrete ranges from $8 to $12 per square foot, about $2 to $3 more per square foot than standard concrete.
For a 600-square-foot exposed aggregate concrete driveway cost, expect to spend $4,800 to $7,200 depending on the type of aggregate, layout, accessibility, and cost of labor in your area. For a 350-square-foot exposed aggregate concrete patio, expect to pay between $2,800 to $4,200. If the contractor needs to grade the land or remove a current driveway or patio, costs tend to move toward the higher end of these ranges.
For comparison, the cost of stamped concrete ranges from $8 to $28 per square foot. The cost of a concrete slab without a decorative finish runs from $4 to $8 per square foot.
Get at least three quotes from local concrete companies to get an estimate for your exposed aggregate concrete patio or driveway project.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can apply an exposed aggregate finish to existing traditional concrete, but you’ll need to resurface the concrete and include aggregate in the top layer of concrete. You’ll also need to prepare the surface beforehand to ensure a good bond between the materials. Adding exposed aggregate is a job best handled by a concrete professional.
A layer of exposed aggregate concrete should be 1 to 2 inches thick if you’re installing it on top of existing concrete. If you’re pouring a new slab with the finish, slab thickness will depend on the application. Exposed aggregate concrete driveways should be 4 to 6 inches thick in most cases or 8 to 12 inches for commercial vehicles. Sidewalks, patios, and walkways should be 4 inches thick.
Yes, you should seal your exposed aggregate concrete to keep it protected from the elements and reduce the risk of cracking and concrete spalling. You’ll need to invest in the cost of resealing your concrete about every three years to keep it in good condition. Unsealed exposed aggregate concrete is susceptible to water damage, stains, chips, cracks, and abrasion. Sealers are available in various finishes and levels of gloss. Outdoor exposed aggregate concrete should be sealed with a non-yellowing, UV-resistant sealer to preserve the look of the finish.
