Exposed aggregate is concrete finished so the decorative stone within it shows at the surface: poured, screeded, then washed back and sealed. On the Sunshine Coast it has become the default street facing finish for a reason. It reads as designed rather than poured, it grips when the afternoon storm comes through, and the estate covenants that shape the region’s new suburbs generally steer driveways away from plain grey altogether.
Where it goes
- Driveways: the whole frontage in one finish, or borders and feature panels against plain concrete to manage the budget. See concrete driveways for the build standard underneath.
- Patios and alfresco areas: a surface that carries the indoor outdoor look without tiles, covered on the patios page.
- Pool surrounds: texture underfoot and a finish that ties the pool into the landscaping, covered on the pool surrounds page.
Stone against the house, not from a brochure
The difference between exposed aggregate that lifts a house and a surface that fights it is the blend. Stone size, stone colour and the cement tone around it all change the read. Selection happens with sample boards at the site measure, in daylight, against the render and roof they will live with.
Sealed after cure
Once the surface has cured it is sealed for colour depth, stain resistance and grip. Sealer choice depends on the setting: full sun driveways, covered alfresco slabs and wet pool edges each get what suits them. Coastal sun is hard on any surface, so resealing every few years keeps the finish deep; the interval is covered at handover.
What it costs
Exposed aggregate sits at the top of the concrete range because of the stone and the extra finishing stages, and the rates guide shows how it compares with plain and coloured work. Prices may vary with site conditions and variations; the written quote after a site measure is fixed.
Where we pour exposed aggregate
Baringa, Beerwah, Bells Creek, Buderim, Caloundra, Coolum, Golden Beach, Kawana, Landsborough, Maleny, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Mountain Creek, Nambour, Nirimba, Noosa, Palmview, Palmwoods, Peregian Beach, Sippy Downs and across the region: where we work.