Exposed Aggregate Concrete — Adelaide & Adelaide Hills

Exposed Aggregate Adelaide

Hard-wearing, textured exposed aggregate for driveways, patios, paths and pool surrounds, poured, revealed and sealed by our own crew. Large commercial areas too.

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Exposed Aggregate Concrete

Exposed Aggregate Concrete in Adelaide

Exposed aggregate is one of the most popular finishes for Adelaide driveways and outdoor areas: a textured, natural-stone surface with good grip that holds up to years of use.

It works by applying a surface retarder to the freshly poured slab, which slows the curing of the cement paste at the top while the bulk of the concrete sets below. The paste is then washed away to reveal the stone beneath. The quality of the result depends on the timing of each stage, the consistency of application across the area, and the experience of the crew doing it.

We lay exposed aggregate for homeowners across Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills, from front driveways to patios, paths and pool surrounds, and for commercial sites where large areas need a consistent finish. Our own crew handles every stage, from preparation and pour through to the reveal and sealing.

Already have exposed aggregate? We can match a new path, patio or driveway extension to your existing surface, and reseal older exposed aggregate to bring it back to life.

Finished concrete surface poured by the Envision Concrete crew in Adelaide
Applications

Where Exposed Aggregate Works

Exposed aggregate suits surfaces where both appearance and durability matter. The textured stone gives natural slip resistance, and it suits everything from a family driveway to a commercial forecourt.

Exposed Aggregate Driveways

The most popular use for exposed aggregate in Adelaide: a hard-wearing, good-looking driveway built on a properly prepared base.

Concrete driveways →

Patios & Alfresco Areas

Outdoor entertaining areas with a textured, natural-stone finish that ties in with your driveway and garden.

Paths & patios →

Paths & Footpaths

Side paths, front paths and garden paths with good grip in wet weather.

Concrete footpaths →

Pool Surrounds

A textured surface around the pool that offers better grip underfoot than smooth concrete.

Residential concreting →

Extensions & Matching

New areas matched to your existing exposed aggregate, plus resealing of older surfaces.

Matching & resealing ↓

Commercial Hardstands & Forecourts

Large-scale exposed aggregate for hardstands, building entries, forecourts and retail and mixed-use developments.

Commercial concreting →
Design

Choosing Your Stone & Colour

The stone type, its size and colour, and the colour of the cement paste around it all change how the finished surface looks. We'll work through the options with you when we quote and help you choose a mix that suits your home, then work with the concrete supplier to get it right.

On larger areas, we also make sure the same mix is supplied across every concrete load, so the stone looks even across the whole surface.

Stone options

  • River pebbleRounded, natural stone for a softer, classic look.
  • Crushed graniteAngular stone with a crisp, textured appearance.
  • BasaltA darker stone for a bolder, contemporary finish.
  • Stone size & cement colourBoth can be adjusted to change the overall tone and texture.
Scope of Work

How We Lay Exposed Aggregate

Exposed aggregate adds stages to what is otherwise a standard concrete pour. Sub-base preparation, reinforcement and formwork are done to the same standard as any slab. The extra steps, retarder application, wash-down and sealing, need careful timing across the whole area.

The same crew that prepares the sub-base and places the reinforcement handles the reveal, so there's no gap between trades and no confusion about who is responsible for each stage. For more on how we work, see our About page.

Stone and Mix Selection

Stone type, size and colour, and cement paste colour, are chosen at the planning stage, with consistent supply across loads in mind.

Sub-Base Preparation and Formwork

Any old concrete is removed, then excavation, sub-base compaction and edge formwork are completed. Levels and drainage falls are set before the pour.

Reinforcement

We supply and place reinforcement to suit the intended load. Structurally, an exposed aggregate slab performs the same as standard concrete; the difference is only in the surface.

Pour and Retarder Application

We manage the concrete supply and pour, then apply surface retarder evenly across the fresh slab at the right rate and timing.

Wash-Down and Reveal

Once the slab has reached the right strength, the retarded paste is washed away to reveal the stone. Too early and the surface is unstable; too late and the paste has hardened beyond the retarder's depth.

Sealing

After curing, the surface is sealed to protect the stone and cement, make cleaning easier and extend its life.

Curing and First Use

Light foot traffic is typically possible within 24 to 48 hours. We'll give you guidance on when it's ready for vehicles.

Reinforcement placed before a concrete pour by the Envision Concrete crew Envision Concrete crew finishing a large concrete pour in Adelaide
Sealing, Resealing & Matching

Sealing & Looking After Exposed Aggregate

Sealing protects the stone and cement from staining and water penetration, and makes routine cleaning easier. The sealer wears over time and needs reapplying periodically, depending on how much traffic the surface gets and how exposed it is to the weather.

Sealing New Surfaces

Every new exposed aggregate job includes a discussion about sealing as part of the finish, so the surface is protected from the start.

Resealing

Older exposed aggregate looking dull or stained? We clean and reseal existing surfaces to restore their colour and protection.

Matching Existing Areas

Adding a path, patio or driveway extension? We can match the new area to your existing exposed aggregate so it looks like one surface.

Choosing a Finish

Is Exposed Aggregate Right for You?

Exposed aggregate is a great all-rounder, but it isn't always the right choice. We'll tell you if another finish suits your site or budget better, because getting the finish right matters more to us than upselling a more complex process.

Compare All Finishes

How it compares

  • Plain & broomThe most cost-effective option, and ideal for purely functional areas like sheds and loading docks.
  • ColouredA smooth finish in a colour that complements your home.
  • StencilledThe look of pavers, brick or stone in a single slab.
  • HonedGround back to a smooth, refined finish that shows a cross-section of the stone.
For Commercial Sites

Large-Scale & Commercial Exposed Aggregate

We produce large-scale exposed aggregate for commercial hardstands, building entries and forecourts, feature pedestrian areas, commercial driveways and retail and mixed-use developments.

The process is the same as a home driveway, but the variables that affect the result become much harder to manage as the area grows. The most common problems on large pours are patchy reveal and stone variation between concrete loads. Both are avoidable with proper planning and an experienced crew.

On larger sites, exposed aggregate often works alongside broom finish in areas where appearance is less critical, and managing that transition cleanly is part of how we approach a multi-finish site. See our full range of commercial concreting services.

Retarder timing

The retarder goes on after bleed water has left the surface but before the concrete sets, a window that moves across the slab as work progresses.

Wash-down sequence

Sections reach strength at different times, so wash-down follows the pour order across the slab.

Consistency between loads

Every truck needs the same stone gradation, or patches of different stone density show in the finish.

Crew coordination

More hands, working in sequence, so retarder and wash-down happen at the right time everywhere.
Client Feedback

What Our Customers Say

“I worked with Darrin and Scott. They were professional, well priced and could start quicker than the other concreters. I went for the exposed aggregate look and couldn’t be happier with how my driveway turned out.”

Michael ChunysExposed aggregate driveway
Read our Google reviews
Common Questions

Exposed Aggregate FAQs

What is exposed aggregate concrete?

Exposed aggregate concrete uses the same structural mix as standard concrete, but the surface is treated during the pour to reveal the stone beneath the cement paste. A surface retarder slows the curing of the top layer, which is washed away once the bulk of the slab has set. The result is a textured, decorative surface with the full structural performance of conventional concrete.

How much does exposed aggregate cost?

It depends on the size of the area, whether old concrete needs removing, site access and excavation, the stone you choose, and sealing. Every job is priced to the site, so contact us for a quote and we'll give you a clear, straightforward price.

What stone and colour options are available?

Common options include river pebble, crushed granite and basalt in a range of sizes. The cement paste colour also affects the overall look. We work with your brief and the concrete supplier to choose a mix that achieves the look you want.

Does exposed aggregate need sealing, and how often?

We recommend sealing. It protects the stone and cement from staining and water penetration and makes cleaning easier. The sealer needs reapplying periodically depending on traffic and weather exposure, and we offer resealing for existing exposed aggregate surfaces.

Is exposed aggregate slippery?

The textured stone surface gives exposed aggregate natural slip resistance, which is why it's a popular choice for driveways, paths and pool surrounds.

Can you match new exposed aggregate to my existing surface?

Yes. If you're adding a path, patio or driveway extension, we can match the new area to your existing exposed aggregate. We can also reseal the existing surface so old and new look their best together.

Can exposed aggregate be used on large commercial areas?

Yes. We produce large-scale exposed aggregate for commercial hardstands, driveways and feature surfaces. Getting consistent exposure across a large area takes careful coordination of retarder timing and wash-down sequencing across multiple concrete loads, which is where experience on commercial pours makes a real difference.

What areas do you service for exposed aggregate?

We service all of metropolitan Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills. Contact us to discuss your location and project.

Related Services

More From Envision Concrete

Concrete Driveways

New and replacement driveways in exposed aggregate, coloured, stencilled, honed or plain finishes.

→

Paths & Patios

Concrete paths, patios and alfresco areas to match your driveway.

→

Residential Concreting

Everything we do for Adelaide and Adelaide Hills homes.

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Commercial Concreting

Slabs, suspended slabs, footings and hardstands for builders and developers.

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Get In Touch

Get an Exposed Aggregate Quote

Tell us what you'd like to lay, extend or reseal, and we'll come back to you to arrange a site visit and a clear price. Or call us directly on 0428 314 073.

Service area: All of metropolitan Adelaide & the Adelaide Hills