Exposed Aggregate Concrete
The stone in the mix revealed at the surface. Durable, high traction, and it ages better than almost anything else.
Exposed Aggregate in practice
Exposed aggregate is the finish that looks better at fifteen years than most finishes look at five.
What it is
The top layer of cement paste is removed while the slab is curing, revealing the aggregate already in the mix. The look comes from real stone rather than from a color layer sitting on the surface.
Where it works best
Patios, pool decks, walkways, and entry areas. It is a strong pool deck choice specifically because the texture gives grip on wet feet.
Why it ages well
There is no pattern or pigment layer to wear through, because the appearance is the stone itself. Surface wear does not create the visible bald patches that a worn color layer does.
Traction
The texture is genuinely grippy underfoot when wet, which is why it shows up around pools and on sloped walks so often.
Maintenance
Sealing helps the aggregate keep its depth of color and makes cleaning easier. The texture holds a little more debris than a smooth finish, so it wants an occasional wash.
Tradeoffs
It is textured, so it is less comfortable for bare feet than a smooth finish and slightly harder to shovel than broom. The aggregate available in the mix determines the palette, so it offers less color control than stamped or stained work.
It is textured, so it is less comfortable for bare feet than a smooth finish and slightly harder to shovel than broom. The aggregate available in the mix determines the palette, so it offers less color control than stamped or stai
Services that use exposed aggregate
Concrete Patios
Broom finish, stamped, and exposed aggregate poured patios built for how you actually use the backyard.
See this service →Concrete Pool Decks
Poured concrete pool decks and surrounds, finished for wet feet and Indiana winters.
See this service →Sidewalks & Walkways
New and replacement walkways connecting driveways, entries, patios, and backyard living space.
See this service →Concrete Replacement & Repair
Replacing cracked, heaving, or failing driveways, sidewalks, and slabs, with an honest read on whether replacement is actually warranted.
See this service →Exposed Aggregate Concrete questions
Is exposed aggregate concrete a good choice in Indiana?
It depends on the surface and on how much maintenance you want to sign up for. Central Indiana freeze-thaw cycling and winter de-icers are hard on every finish, and they are hardest on surfaces carrying a color or pattern layer. We go through this at the site visit with samples on your own property rather than from a card in a showroom.
What maintenance does exposed aggregate concrete need?
Sealing on a sensible interval is the core of it, and the interval differs by finish. Plain broom asks the least. Stamped and colored surfaces ask the most, because there is a color layer to protect. Guidance specific to what you chose is part of the project handoff rather than something you have to go find.
Can this finish be combined with another?
Yes, and it is frequently the smartest option. A broom field with a stamped or exposed border gives you a visual edge where it reads and a durable, low maintenance surface across the area taking the traffic.
Will it match my existing concrete?
Weathered concrete will never be matched exactly by a fresh pour, no matter the finish. Where a close match is achievable we will say so, and where it is not, deciding to contrast deliberately usually looks better than an attempted match that lands close but not quite.
Site visit first. Then a number you can hold us to.
We do not quote concrete over the phone, because a number given before anyone has seen the site is a number that changes.
You send the details
The form or a phone call, whichever you prefer. A team member follows up the same day.
We come look at it
Measurements, photos, drainage and grading assessment, and a conversation about finish options.
You get it in writing
A written, itemized scope of work sized by square footage. What is included, what is not, and what it costs.
Request a written quote
Tell us about the project and we will follow up to schedule a site visit. Every quote is written and itemized before any work begins.
Ready for a written, itemized quote?
Send the project details and we will follow up to schedule a site visit. No verbal ballparks, no pressure.