What exposed aggregate concrete actually is
Exposed aggregate is standard reinforced concrete poured the normal way, then the top 2–4mm of cement paste is removed before it fully cures — exposing the stones (aggregate) sitting in the mix. The result looks like a smooth river bed, sits proud underfoot, and reads as a finish but is actually just structural concrete with the skin off.
Two methods get the skin off. Surface retarder spray plus pressure wash gives a controlled exposure depth and is what we use for almost every job. Chemical etching is the older method — still works, but the exposure depth is harder to control and you have to be careful around plants and surfaces.
Because the strength comes from the structural slab and not the surface finish, exposed aggregate handles heavy vehicle loads without complaint. That's why it dominates driveways across the Perth metro.
Stone choices for Perth — granite, quartz, river pebble
The stone you pick changes everything — the look, the slip rating, the cost, and how the surface ages. We work with three main aggregate sources in WA, plus a few specialty blends for clients who want something different.
| Stone | Colour | Slip (wet) | Cost premium | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite (charcoal) | Dark grey, salt & pepper | R12 | Base | 30+ yrs |
| Granite (warm) | Brown-grey, warm tones | R12 | +$5/m² | 30+ yrs |
| Quartz blend | White-pink mottled | R11 | +$10/m² | 25–30 yrs |
| River pebble | Multi-tone, rounded | R11 | +$8/m² | 25 yrs |
| Crushed Donnybrook | Warm cream-orange | R11 | +$15/m² | 25 yrs |
“I'll quote you the granite price first and tell you straight if a fancier stone is worth the premium for your particular driveway. Half the time the upgrade adds nothing the eye notices from the kerb — and the extra $400 buys nothing.
See our colour range for the full palette of available blends, or check the exposed aggregate service page for completed examples.
Cost of exposed aggregate concrete in Perth (2026)
Honest 2026 range: $95–$145 per square metre supplied and laid across the Perth metro. That includes the structural slab, reo, formwork, the pour itself, surface retarder, pressure-wash exposure and the first protective sealer coat. It excludes drainage, excavation, retaining and any landscaping afterwards.
What moves you within the range:
- Stone choice — standard granite is at the bottom of the range, premium quartz or Donnybrook blends sit closer to the top.
- Slab size — under 30 m² jobs sit higher per m² because of setup cost. Over 80 m² and the per-m² drops.
- Access — line pump required adds $200–$500 to the job.
- Reo spec — heavy vehicle driveways (boats, dual-cabs) need 100mm minimum thickness with double reo; that's an extra $15/m² over residential standard.
- Site distance — north of Joondalup or south of Mandurah adds cartage on every truck.
For a typical Perth double-car driveway of 80 m², expect $7,600–$11,600. Boat-trailer access adds another $1,000–$1,500 on the load-bearing spec.
Site-specific factors change every quote — sub-base condition, drainage, edge treatment, and any retaining all sit outside the per-m² rate. We visit every site before quoting so the number you get is real.
Best applications — driveways, paths, pool surrounds
Exposed aggregate is built for outdoor use. The slip rating and stone-protrusion texture do their job best where they're needed most: surfaces that get wet, surfaces that take vehicle load, and surfaces that live in Perth UV year-round.
DOWhere exposed aggregate is the right call
- ✓Residential drivewaysThe default Perth driveway finish for good reason — handles 4WDs, dual-cab utes, trailers and the occasional boat without surface damage.
- ✓Side paths and connecting walkwaysSlip-rated, low maintenance, no joint catchment for leaves like pavers.
- ✓Pool surround edges (with slip-safe finish)Around pools we drop the exposure depth slightly so it stays bare-foot friendly, but the slip rating stays high.
- ✓High-traffic commercial entriesCafe entries, retail forecourts, small commercial driveways. The wear rate is half what plain concrete gives you.
DON'TWhere to choose something else
- ✗Indoor floorsToo textured for indoor use. Use honed or polished concrete inside.
- ✗Direct pool waterline edgeThe stones can be rough on swimmers' hands. Use liquid limestone or a smooth coping right at the edge, then exposed aggregate on the surround.
- ✗Furniture-heavy alfrescosHeavy outdoor furniture scrapes the exposure. Honed concrete is the safer call for furniture zones.
Sealing and maintenance for coastal Perth
Exposed aggregate needs more attention to sealing than other concrete finishes — not because it's weaker, but because the rough surface holds dirt, salt and algae more easily. Get the sealing routine right and you spend almost nothing on it for the first 4–5 years.
We seal every job at 28 days post-pour with a penetrating siloxane sealer plus an acrylic topical coat. The penetrating layer protects the cement from salt; the topical brings out the stone colour and adds a soft sheen.
TIPSExposed aggregate annual maintenance
- ✓Pressure wash once a year — gently1,500–2,000 psi from 300mm distance. Higher than that strips the sealer.
- ✓Re-seal every 3–5 yearsWatch the water beading. Once water spreads flat, book the re-seal that season.
- ✓Oil stain — treat immediatelyDishwashing liquid + warm water + scrub within 24 hours. After 48 hours you need a degreaser.
- ✓Algae controlFirst sign of green or black — diluted oxygen bleach, soft scrub, rinse. Don't let it embed.
- ✓Salt rinse coastal properties weeklyHillarys to Cottesloe properties — salt air builds up faster than people realise. Quick hose-down weekly.
Coastal Perth properties (Mosman Park, Cottesloe, Scarborough, North Beach, Trigg, Mindarie) need the re-seal at the 3-year mark. Inland properties hold the original sealer to year 5. Salt air is the deciding factor.
Mistakes Perth homeowners make with exposed aggregate
We get called to repair other people's exposed aggregate work fairly regularly. Most of the call-outs trace back to one of these mistakes — and they're all on the contractor, not the client.
DON'TWhat to look out for
- ✗Cheap aggregate substituted last-minuteIf the quote specifies one stone and the truck arrives with another, stop the pour. The visual difference is huge and there's no going back once it's set.
- ✗Wrong exposure depthOver-exposed: stones loose, sealer fails fast. Under-exposed: looks grey, defeats the point of the finish.
- ✗No control jointsSaw-cut joints at proper spacing stop random cracking. Skipping them is a 6–12 month time bomb.
- ✗Sealing too early or in the wrong weatherFirst seal at 28 days, dry weather, surface temperature under 30°C. Anything else and the sealer blisters.
- ✗Inexperienced wash-back timingSurface retarder pressure-wash window is 8–14 hours after the pour, depending on weather. Miss it and the stones never come out properly.
We use a structured pre-pour checklist on every job — aggregate sample signed off, reo spec verified, drainage falls measured, exposure depth specified. Ask any contractor for theirs. Here's how we work.
How we install exposed aggregate at CoastCrete
Our exposed aggregate process is six steps and we hit each one consistently — that's the difference between a 25-year finish and a 5-year disappointment.
- Site prep — strip topsoil, compact road-base sub-base to 95%+ density, set falls for drainage.
- Formwork & reo — timber edge forms, steel mesh (or doubled for driveway-load specs), expansion joint placement.
- Pour — structural concrete with the selected aggregate dosed evenly through the mix.
- Surface retarder spray — applied while the concrete is still wet, prevents the top skin from curing.
- Wash-back — 8–14 hours after pour, depending on weather. Pressure wash removes the top skin and reveals the stones.
- Cure + seal — slab cures for 28 days minimum, then penetrating sealer + acrylic topical coat applied.
The whole job runs 5–7 working days on a typical residential driveway, weather depending. For a quote on your site, drop us a line.
About Richard Marsh
Founder · CoastCrete · 20+ years on the tools
Richard founded CoastCrete in Perth after a decade of pouring driveways, alfrescos and pool surrounds across the metro. He writes the articles, answers the calls, and runs the crew personally on every job — so what you read here is the same advice he gives clients on-site every week.
Read more articles by Richard →Common questions
Is exposed aggregate slippery when wet?
Less than plain concrete or polished — exposed aggregate sits at R11–R12 wet, which is among the highest slip ratings of any decorative concrete. The stone protrusion gives you grip in the rain that smoother finishes can't.
Can I park a heavy vehicle on it?
Yes — the structural slab underneath is what carries the load, not the surface. For 4WDs and dual-cabs we use 100mm thickness with double reo, which handles boat trailers and the occasional small truck without issue.
How long until I can drive on it after pouring?
Walk on it at 24 hours, drive a passenger car at 7 days, drive a heavy vehicle at 14 days. Sealing happens at day 28 and the surface is fully cured at that point.
Why is my exposed aggregate fading?
Most fade is sealer breakdown, not stone fade. A re-seal restores the original look. If the stones themselves have lost colour, that's a UV-degradation issue on cheap pigment — only happens on lower-grade jobs.
Can I match an existing exposed aggregate driveway?
Often yes — we can identify the stone, batch the colour and match the exposure depth. The new section will read very close to the old one within 6 months. Perfect colour match across different concrete batches is hard for any finish though.
What's the lifespan of exposed aggregate in Perth?
25–35 years with proper maintenance. The structural slab outlasts the surface finish. Around year 20 most driveways get a deep clean and re-seal which extends the life another 10–15 years easily.