Same slab, three different surface treatments
People ask us which finish is "the best." The honest answer: there's no best — each finish suits different applications. What they all share is a well-prepared sub-base, steel reinforcement, and a continuous pour of high-grade Hanson concrete. The structural slab is identical. The decorative work happens after.
The choice is about what the floor needs to do — handle vehicles, stay cool under bare feet, look like a designer space, or grip wet feet around a pool. Each finish answers one of those better than the others.
Exposed aggregate — the all-rounder
The most popular finish for Perth driveways. After the slab is poured, the surface cement is washed back to reveal the embedded stones. The result is a textured surface that grips like coarse sandpaper.
Where it wins:
- Driveways — slip-resistant even when wet, handles vehicle weight indefinitely
- Pool surrounds — naturally non-slip with bare feet
- Garden paths — texture grips under leaf litter and rain
- Carports — won't polish smooth from tyre traffic
Where it loses: Indoor floors. The texture is rough on bare feet for extended periods, and it's a dust trap inside the home.
Honed — the premium middle ground
Honed concrete is exposed aggregate taken further. After the stones are exposed, the surface is mechanically ground back with progressively finer diamond pads until the top is smooth and satin-matte. The aggregate is still visible but the texture is gentle.
Where it wins:
- Alfresco floors — cool underfoot, smooth on bare feet
- Pool decks (cooler tones) — slip-resistance held by the micro-texture from honing
- Indoor-outdoor flow — pair honed outdoor with polished indoor for a designer transition
- Modern architecture — the matte sheen reads as deliberate and high-end
Where it loses: Driveways at scale — premium pricing without a clear functional benefit over exposed for vehicle work.
Polished — the architectural finish
Polished concrete takes the surface work all the way to a mirror gloss. Multiple passes of progressively finer diamond pads, surface densifier between passes, and optional burnishing for the deepest sheen. Indoor only — wet polished concrete is dangerously slippery.
Where it wins:
- Open-plan living rooms — bounces light through the space
- Kitchens — wipes clean, no grout, allergen-free
- Commercial showrooms + retail — industrial-grade durability with designer impact
- Warehouses + breweries — handles heavy traffic for decades
Where it loses: Anywhere wet. Pool surrounds, bathrooms with wet floors, outdoor patios. The gloss becomes slippery when water sits on it.
Quick application matrix
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
Can I mix finishes in one project?
Absolutely — and we recommend it. A common Perth setup is honed concrete outdoor flowing to polished concrete indoor through a sliding door. The transition reads as deliberate and high-end.
Which is cheapest?
Exposed aggregate. The surface work is minimal compared to honed or polished. Honed adds 15-25% over exposed; polished adds 40-60% depending on sheen level.
Can polished be used outside?
Not recommended. The gloss becomes slippery wet. Use honed concrete outdoors for the closest visual match without the safety risk.