What is Exposed Aggregate Concrete & is it Right for Your Project?

What is exposed aggregate concrete?

Exposed aggregate concrete is a concrete finish that leaves aggregate in the concrete exposed on the top of the finish. This finishing method for concrete is used in residential, multi-residential, and commercial concrete scopes where an added aesthetic is warranted. The designs for exposed aggregate concrete use different aggregate colors and types to create unique appearances for the concrete, but in addition, give a textural impact to the concrete.

Should you choose exposed aggregate concrete?

Asking this question means you are likely used to broom finish concrete.

Broom finish is a great finish for concrete. It is durable, high-traction, and can be sealed properly, which means it will always serve you well. Plus, it is cost-effective, doesn’t need special treatment, and technically does not have to be sealed. From a contractor’s perspective, hand-finishing sidewalks and stairs with broom finish concrete is going to be the most cost-effective approach.

Now, exposed aggregate concrete is a bit different. Firstly, you get a unique finish, custom colors, and a choice of sealers, and overall, it is a more premium finish. Making the selection to move from a trowel finish/broom finish concrete to an exposed aggregate concrete finish should be realistically dependent solely on your aesthetic requirements. If you are after a premium finish, then go with exposed aggregate concrete.

We’ve detailed some of the key considerations when deciding to upgrade.

Key Factors to Consider in Choosing Exposed Aggregate Concrete

Some key considerations to taken into mind with exposed aggregate concrete… including for cost, maintenance, repairs, finish selections, and general installation.

Cost Considerations for Exposed Aggregate Concrete

It has a higher cost: Exposed aggregate concrete will bring forth a higher finish cost than standard broom finish concrete. Typically, a concrete contractor might provide you a cost on top of your standard placement fee; with that, your total sq-ft cost is higher than typical.

For instance, an exposed aggregate concrete finish may cost several dollars more per square foot of concrete finishing. This may not be such a burden for smaller scopes of work, but the costs can add up for larger concrete slabs, patios, and walkways.

Estimate for yourself by approximating the square footage of your concrete job, take a typical quote for the work you need, and add a few dollars per square foot over the top of that cost.

Does exposed aggregate concrete need to be sealed?

It is recommended to be adequately sealed, unlike standard broom finish concrete, which may or may not be sealed, depending on user preference. When looking at exposed aggregate concrete, understand it should get a sealer. Sealer helps protect the already partially exposed surface from weather, de-icing chemicals, and more. Available sealers include surface and penetrating sealers in various material products/characteristics.

It can be re-sealed: If you proceed with sealing your exposed aggregate concrete, it is recommended that you re-seal in the following seasons.

Overall, the concrete sealers help with crack prevention. You want to limit water or moisture’s ability to enter the exposed aggregate concrete, and with freeze-thaw, create cracks on the surface that are very unsightly. Concrete sealing is also going to reduce the likelihood that stains occur on the exposed aggregate concrete too!

Custom Finish Selections

It’s highly customizable. When selecting concrete, you can choose from various exposed aggregate designs. No matter what sort of home or exterior landscape construction you have, we can find a custom stone design and color that will work perfectly with the concrete.

In addition, the choice of concrete sealer provides a different aesthetic, as a higher gloss is available for your utilization. Depending on your style, a high gloss or matte finish is available.

Consider matching exposed aggregate concrete colors with building stucco, existing landscape features, or architectural design to seamlessly blend your walking and driving surfaces in with your home.

Exposed Aggregate Concrete Repairs

It can be more difficult to repair: As the concrete you have installed is custom finish, to repair it properly, and not show the design-flaws aesthetically can be challenging. Resurfacing concrete finished in an exposed aggregate manner is difficult, because the existing concrete with exposed aggregate concrete has to be matched.

Unlike typical broom finish concrete, exposed aggregate concrete would require special care and attention when being repaired. The repair surface, or crack injection, has to be completed in a manner that is consistent with the entire design.

Is exposed aggregate concrete slippery?

One of the benefits of exposed aggregate concrete is that it adds some traction to otherwise plain finished concrete. This traction, is provided by the rocks and pebbles embedded in the surface of the concrete itself. In addition, specific concrete sealers with grit or traction additives can be utilized to facilitate even higher traction.

Exposed aggregate concrete can be slippery with ice, though, just like any concrete. The small depressions can cause water to pool on the exposed aggregate concrete, which typically would not be permitted to pool on standard broom-finish concrete, for instance.

Proper drainage routes and sloping, as with any concrete surface, are essential to ensuring a high-quality exposed aggregate concrete installation.

Installation of Exposed Aggregate Concrete

From an installation perspective, if you are looking to install this sort of concrete for your home or landscape, the process is a bit more complicated than installing standard broom finish or even smooth-trowel finish concrete.

Curing retardant is applied to the top layer of the concrete, providing a suitable subsurface cure to commence. The top of the pour remains available for exposing the aggregate beneath.

Water is used to remove the surface layer of uncured concrete to expose the aggregate. Spraying down the concrete removes the top uncured concrete and allows the exposed aggregate finish to show.

After the concrete reaches strength and is totally cured, a sealer, such as a penetrating concrete sealer or an acrylic concrete sealer, can be applied.

Just like other concrete, exposed aggregate concrete can be customized with coloring or staining options to create a unique aesthetic. This is done by mixing the concrete, and the color becomes consistent throughout the mix.

The additional costs for exposed aggregate concrete installation are due to these labor adds, such as the process of spraying down the concrete, using retardent, and additional sealing work. Just like any typical concrete installation, proper sub-grade preparation, concrete cover requirements, and formwork need to be utilized to ensure a quality end-product.

Applications for Exposed Aggregate Concrete

No matter what your concrete style, architectural requirements, or desired aesthetic, we can provide a custom exposed aggregate concrete solution.

In some cases, vertical surfaces should not be provided an exposed aggregate finish, But in the most part exposed aggregate can be used on almost any concrete surface such as a patio, walkway, pathway, stairway, driveway, or concrete ramp.

Exposed Aggregate Concrete is Suitable for a Variety of Projects:

• Concrete stairs, concrete landings, and concrete ramps.
• Concrete patios and landscape concrete pads.
• Concrete driveways and concrete garage entrances.
• Unique on-property concrete pathways is a typical exposed aggregate concrete utilization.
• Exposed aggregate concrete ramps.
• For concrete sidewalks and pedestrian paths of travel.

Exposed aggregate concrete in general is a great way to add texture and design aesthetic to an otherwise boring, grey, dull concrete backdrop.

Conclusion – What is exposed aggregate concrete? Is it right for your project?

Exposed aggregate concrete finishes carry with them added cost, but a unique design aesthetic. The whole purpose of exposed aggregate concrete is to increase the curb appeal of your concrete finishes, sidewalks, stairs and patios.

However, with the installation of exposed aggregate concrete, comes requirements for sealing, and additional labor in general for the concrete finishing process.

If you are on the look out for a premium concrete finishing contractor in the Calgary area, call on the professionals at Deluxe Concrete Services. Their team is actively booking for the upcoming season, with residential, structural, architectural, landscape, and custom Calgary decorative concrete for all your Calgary needs.

We take our concrete pretty seriously, and the quality of our Calgary exposed aggregate concrete is literally second to none! Call us or request a quote for pricing information and let’s transform your property with a custom concrete solution.