Exposed aggregate concrete hides nothing — it shows the stone in the mix, and the stone is what makes it work. Natural pea gravel, river stone, or specialty aggregate is embedded in a 4000 PSI slab and revealed by washing the cement paste off the surface before it fully cures. The result is a textured, slip-resistant surface with natural color variation that holds up better than a broom finish against road salt, freeze-thaw cycles, and heavy traffic. Driveways, pool decks, patios, and walkways. Fixed-price quote within 48 hours.
The exposure process is time-critical. Immediately after the pour is finished and the bleed water has dissipated, a surface retarder is broadcast or sprayed across the top. The retarder slows the cure rate of the surface paste while the body of the slab sets normally. At 8–12 hours after the pour — the exact window depends on temperature, humidity, and mix design — the crew returns and pressure-washes the surface. The retarder has kept the surface paste workable, so the wash removes it cleanly, revealing aggregate approximately 1/4 inch deep.
That timing window is the hardest part of exposed aggregate work. Too early and you wash into the slab body, weakening it. Too late and the retarder has lost effectiveness and the paste won't release cleanly — you end up with patchy exposure and a blotchy surface. We track the pour time, the temperature, and the retarder's specified open window and return at the right moment regardless of the hour.
Broom-finished concrete is smooth between the broom lines — the texture is shallow and wears off over time. Exposed aggregate puts the stone at the surface permanently. The aggregate's natural hardness resists wear, and the irregular surface provides inherent slip resistance even when wet. On a pool deck, where a slippery surface is genuinely dangerous, exposed aggregate is one of the most practical choices. On a driveway, the stone texture hides tire marks and surface staining far better than a smooth broom finish.
The night-return for pressure washing means exposed aggregate projects require the crew to be available 8–12 hours after the pour, including overnight. We plan the pour day accordingly — we don't schedule a late-afternoon pour if the wash window falls at 3 AM.
Walk the area, measure, confirm aggregate option (pea gravel vs. specialty stone), and any border treatment. Fixed-price quote within 48 hours — aggregate upgrade priced separately if selected.
Remove existing surface. Compact subgrade, place 4" of #53 stone, compact to Standard Proctor density. Set forms to grade with proper drainage slope.
4000 PSI air-entrained mix placed, consolidated, and screeded. Bull-floated smooth. No overworking the surface — aggregate must remain near the top of the slab for proper exposure depth.
Surface retarder applied evenly across the full surface immediately after finishing. Coverage rate determined by aggregate size and target exposure depth. Plastic sheeting secured over the slab to protect from rain and foot traffic.
Slab body sets to structural strength while surface paste remains workable. Crew monitors slab and weather conditions to confirm wash window timing.
Pressure wash at 8–12 hours. Consistent pressure and travel speed across the full surface for uniform aggregate exposure. Edges and borders washed by hand to match depth.
Saw-cut control joints at day 1. Inspect exposure depth and uniformity. Clean aggregate wash water from site.
Penetrating sealer applied at 28 days. Walk through with homeowner, 60-day workmanship warranty issued.
Anderson & Pendleton: Exposed aggregate driveways hold up well in Madison County's climate. The air-entrained mix and natural stone surface handle freeze-thaw cycles better than plain broom finishes. Pea gravel is the most common aggregate choice — it's economical and gives a clean, understated look that fits residential neighborhoods.
Fishers: Pool deck is the most common exposed aggregate application in Fishers. The slip-resistant stone surface is the right choice for wet pool areas. We pair exposed aggregate decking with a contrasting border in plain broom finish or a tile-set coping to define the pool edge.
Carmel: Some Carmel HOAs specify finish types for driveways. Exposed aggregate is typically accepted as equivalent to or better than a standard broom finish — we verify before pouring. The premium river stone aggregate option is popular in Carmel for high-end driveways where the additional texture and color variation justify the upcharge.
Noblesville & Westfield: Commercial and industrial applications use exposed aggregate for warehouse aprons and large flat areas where surface texture reduces slip hazard and hides wear. Same spec, larger pour quantities.
Our exposed aggregate surface retarder application, pressure wash timing, and exposure depth guidelines follow ACI 303R Guide to Cast-in-Place Architectural Concrete Practice. The 1/3 aggregate diameter rule for exposure depth is an established industry standard for achieving uniform texture without compromising bond between aggregate and paste.
REF · ACI ACI 303R — Guide to Cast-in-Place Architectural Concrete Practice ↗The fastest way to a quote is a phone call. Prefer to send details instead? Fill in the form and we'll respond the same business day — usually within a couple of hours.
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Tell us the square footage, the application (driveway, pool deck, patio), and your stone preference. We'll confirm the aggregate options and hand you a fixed-price quote.