Light blends
Cream and white stone blends can suit coastal palettes, pale render and pool areas where a bright finish is wanted. They also show dirt and tyre marks more readily, so use matters as much as appearance.
Exposed Aggregate Perth
Decorative concrete poured for Perth homes
- Textured finish for hardworking outdoor areas
- Stone blends selected around your home
- Owner-operated with 13+ years of experience
Exposed aggregate made for the way you use the space
Exposed aggregate combines the strength of a concrete slab with the colour and texture of natural stone. Decorative aggregate is mixed through the concrete, then the surface is carefully washed back so the stone becomes part of the visible finish. The result suits driveways, paths, entries, patios and pool surrounds where the surface has to work hard and still look considered. Because the stone, background colour and exposure all influence the final appearance, the right choice is the one that relates to your brick, render, roof and garden rather than a blend chosen in isolation.
Only Concrete is based in Canning Vale and works across the Perth metropolitan area, with service coverage extending from Mandurah to Joondalup where the site and job scope are a fit. We have more than 13 years of decorative concreting experience and keep the advice direct: choose a washed finish when texture and outdoor practicality matter, or compare it with honed concrete when a smoother surface is the priority. Your quote is based on the actual area, access, preparation and finish, so you can compare the full job rather than a headline square-metre number.
How exposed aggregate concrete is created
Decorative stone is distributed through the concrete mix rather than applied as a thin surface coating. After the slab is placed and finished, a surface retarder controls how the top cement paste cures. At the appropriate stage, that paste is washed away to reveal the aggregate below. Timing, wash consistency and exposure depth all affect the result, which is why two slabs made from the same blend can still look different if the finishing process is rushed.
The washed texture generally provides more underfoot grip than a smooth decorative finish, but no outdoor surface is slip-proof. Falls, drainage, sealer choice, shade, contamination and ongoing cleaning all matter, particularly around a pool. Those practical details should be resolved alongside the colour choice, not left until after the slab is poured.
Choose the colour, stone and exposure together
Exposed aggregate colour is the combined effect of the decorative stone, the cement and sand background, any oxide in the mix, and the depth of the wash. We work with locally available supplier ranges, including Holcim Geostone, and help narrow the choice around the fixed colours already on your property.
Mid-grey blends
Balanced greys work with many brick and render colours and can soften the contrast between a dark roof, the driveway and surrounding landscaping.
Dark blends
Charcoal and black aggregate create a stronger frame around lawns and modern facades. Darker surfaces can absorb more heat in direct summer sun, which should be considered for barefoot areas.
Exposure level
A finer exposure reads more restrained, while a deeper wash makes the stone pattern more prominent. The target should be agreed before the pour so the finishing approach matches the intended look.
What affects exposed aggregate cost in Perth?
There is no honest universal rate for exposed aggregate concrete because the visible finish is only one part of the job. Two areas with the same square metres can need very different excavation, access, pumping, formwork and drainage work. A useful quote should explain the whole scope and identify the assumptions behind the number.
- Total area and whether the shape is simple, curved or broken into smaller zones
- Access for excavation equipment, concrete delivery and spoil removal
- Ground preparation, levels, drainage and the slab specification
- The selected decorative blend and any detailed edges, steps or bands
- Removal and disposal of existing concrete, paving or unsuitable base material
Send the address, approximate measurements and clear photos for an initial discussion. A firm figure follows once the relevant site conditions and finish have been confirmed.
Can exposed aggregate go over existing concrete?
An overlay may be possible on a sound, stable slab, but it is not automatically the best route. A decorative layer can inherit cracks, movement and drainage faults from the concrete below. The existing levels also need enough allowance for doors, garage entries, gates and adjoining surfaces.
Where the old slab is badly cracked, moving, too high or draining in the wrong direction, removal and replacement is usually the cleaner long-term decision. We assess the visible condition and site constraints before recommending either path, and we do not hide a weak base under a new surface for the sake of making the first quote look smaller.
Cleaning, sealing and aftercare
Care requirements depend on the blend, exposure, sealer and traffic. We explain the finish-specific instructions for your job, including when the slab can be walked or driven on.
- 01
Keep the surface clear
Sweep or rinse away leaf litter and soil before organic staining develops. Clean oil, food and chemical spills promptly with a product suited to the surface.
- 02
Use suitable cleaning pressure
Aggressive pressure washing too close to the slab can damage the surface or existing coating. Start gently and follow the sealer or concrete-care guidance supplied for the job.
- 03
Review the sealer condition
Resealing is condition-based rather than a fixed promise. Sun, vehicle traffic, pool chemicals and cleaning habits change the interval, so inspect wear and use a compatible system.
Where exposed aggregate works well
For concrete driveways, the washed texture can help disguise everyday dust and minor surface marks while giving the front of the home a deliberate finish. Correct base preparation, slab design, reinforcement, drainage falls and joint placement still do the structural work underneath. The decorative surface never compensates for shortcuts below it.
Around pool surrounds, patios and paths, a light or mid-tone blend can connect several outdoor zones without adding separate paving products. The finish can continue around steps, gates and side access where the slab design allows it. We will also say when a smoother honed zone, plain concrete or another material is the better fit for the way an area will be used.
Exposed aggregate across Perth
Only Concrete is based in Canning Vale and services suitable residential decorative concrete projects across the Perth metropolitan area, including southern, eastern, western and northern suburbs. Our working range commonly extends from Mandurah to Joondalup, subject to the job scope and scheduling. If you are unsure whether your property is within range, contact the Perth concreting team with the suburb and a short description of the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is exposed aggregate concrete?
It is concrete with decorative stone mixed through the slab, then carefully washed back so the aggregate becomes visible at the surface. The final colour and texture depend on the stone blend, the concrete background and how deeply the surface is exposed.
What colours does exposed aggregate come in?
Perth supplier ranges include light creams and whites, balanced greys, warm stone blends and dark charcoal options. The best choice should be viewed alongside the home's render, brick, roof and landscaping because those fixed colours change how the concrete reads.
How much does exposed aggregate cost per square metre?
The rate changes with area, access, excavation, base preparation, drainage, slab details and the selected blend. An itemised site-based quote is more reliable than a flat online rate because it shows what is included underneath the decorative surface.
Is exposed aggregate suitable around a pool?
It is commonly used around pools because its washed texture generally offers more grip than a smooth decorative finish. It is not slip-proof, so drainage, cleaning, shade, contaminants and any sealer still need to be considered as part of the design.
Can old exposed aggregate be repaired or resurfaced?
Small defects may have repair options, but colour and stone matching can be difficult. If cracking or movement comes from the slab or base below, a cosmetic surface repair will not remove the cause. The existing concrete should be assessed before a repair path is chosen.
Tell us about your exposed aggregate job
Send the suburb, approximate area, intended use and any photos that show access, existing surfaces and levels around the work. If you already have a house colour palette or a decorative blend in mind, include that too. We will help separate the decisions that affect appearance from the details that affect preparation, drainage and price.
You can also call Nathan on 0438 319 821 between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday, for a direct conversation about whether exposed aggregate, honed concrete or another finish makes sense for the site. The aim is a clear scope and an itemised quote you can compare properly.
Prefer to talk? Call 0438 319 821