Browse Forums Paving & Concreting 1 Jul 16, 2012 4:38 pm We're getting to the stage in our build when we are starting to think about the driveway; we'd like a darkish coloured driveway in a blue/grey or slate/grey tone (we have a deep ocean/blue colorbond roof and garage door and dark brown bricks) which is why originally we thought about coloured concrete. Has anyone used exposed aggregate as an alternative? I'm concerned about the discomfort when walking on it barefoot but it appeals as it sounds like it is lower maintenance and is not as slipperly when wet? What is the cost difference (if anyone knows)? The alternatives that I'm not really considering using are gravel or pavers (the driveway slopes down a little bit so I don't want to lose gravel everytime it rains and it is hard underfoot, I also don't want to have to weed between pavers or have to realign them when something heavy drives over them after it has rained). I've lived with these issues before! Thanks in advance for your help! Building Merlot w/Terrazza (Beechwood) Contracts signed Dec 2011 --> Keys Aug 2012 Current stage: Complete! Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=57930 Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 3Jul 19, 2012 11:12 am AFAIK exposed aggregate is very smooth since it is grinded/polished and sealed. It only LOOKS like there are stones on top of it. Apparently it's very "in" right now. Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 4Jul 19, 2012 9:05 pm SamfordValley AFAIK exposed aggregate is very smooth since it is grinded/polished and sealed. It only LOOKS like there are stones on top of it. Apparently it's very "in" right now. Really? The ones I've looked at in person appear to be a little rough to touch....they didn't appear to be sealed. Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 5Jul 19, 2012 9:21 pm We have opted to go with colour concrete on ours. After seeing how grubby other aggregate driveways in our street looked we decided it wasn't really our cup of tea. Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 6Jul 19, 2012 9:36 pm SamfordValley AFAIK exposed aggregate is very smooth since it is grinded/polished and sealed. It only LOOKS like there are stones on top of it. Apparently it's very "in" right now. Your thinking of polished concrete, exsposed aggregate is concrete that has been pressure washed to expose the aggregate, there's a little more to it than that, but basically it has a rough finish compared to the smooth finish of polished concrete. Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 7Jul 21, 2012 8:54 pm I'd say exposed is the way to go. Choose a dark mix to avoid the grubby look. Thats usually the off white driveways that show the dirt. Due to the variable texture and colour the exposed tends to hide any marks far better than just regular dark concrete. Its much harder wearing as the surface is stone so years down the track, with a pressure wash and reseal the exposed can scrub up way better than coloured concrete. Its also more of a subtle look that blends in well with a new property rather than standing out like regular concrete. If you do go coloured check out the broom finish. It looks a lot nicer than a regular stipple. Not to be done on a very hot day as it increases surface area and evaporation hence shrinkage cracking during curing. But thats all just my opinion. All is good as long as its not stencilled! Exposed is approximately 20% more costly than coloured concrete. A mix with pebble rather than crushed aggregate will be softer on your feet. Crushed aggregate is great for driveways. Stronger and more grippy. Pebble for bear foot traffic around pools etc. Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 8Jul 23, 2012 5:10 pm Thanks everyone. Rory your post is particularly helpful! You've pretty much confirmed everything I was trying to explain to my partner about the exposed aggregate being more forgiving in the long run! Will check out the broom finish if we do go with the coloured. Thank you! Building Merlot w/Terrazza (Beechwood) Contracts signed Dec 2011 --> Keys Aug 2012 Current stage: Complete! Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=57930 Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 9Jul 23, 2012 11:07 pm We are thinking of a 10m aggregate driveway to the garage, plus using crushed pressed rock for the remainder of our semi-circular drive through, we have a wide property from driveway entrance to drive 'out' on the other side of the property... probably at least 30m. Any rough idea of cost for aggregate driveways? Any rough idea of cost for crushed pressed rock? Thanks and appreciated Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 10Jul 24, 2012 12:56 am Gotta laugh at some advice but all good if your going to add oxide ( colour ) to your mix design be prepared for it to A fade quick and B be inconsistant , if your lucky you will get neither , When choosing your sealing element dont go to a high solids content ( gloosy ) finish as this will become very slippery on the smooth stone when wet . Remember to retain the colour if chosen you will need to replace the sealer every 1-2 years, ThankYOu mr UV only issue with living in this part of the world , make sure when you seal its not too soon or to much moisture causing delamination and peeling . God i love CONCRETE , here all year try the fish Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 11Jul 24, 2012 6:36 pm Getjason Gotta laugh at some advice but all good if your going to add oxide ( colour ) to your mix design be prepared for it to A fade quick and B be inconsistant , if your lucky you will get neither , When choosing your sealing element dont go to a high solids content ( glossy ) finish as this will become very slippery on the smooth stone when wet . Remember to retain the colour if chosen you will need to replace the sealer every 1-2 years, ThankYOu mr UV only issue with living in this part of the world , make sure when you seal its not too soon or to much moisture causing delamination and peeling . God i love CONCRETE , here all year try the fish just got to pipe up again re the above, It sounds like this advise relates to a bad job you have had done? If done properly there will be no inconsistency in colour. Wet concrete is a much more intense colour than the final product hence fading quickly as it cures is normal. If it fades too much then not enough colour oxide has been used or a cheap brand that is not iv resistant has been used. Or your concretor has not properly prepared you as to the final expected colour for your dosage. If slipperiness is a concern exposed is the most suitable surface and can give great grip on steep slopes. Sure your not talking about polished concrete being slippery? Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 12Jul 25, 2012 2:16 am Rory Getjason Gotta laugh at some advice but all good if your going to add oxide ( colour ) to your mix design be prepared for it to A fade quick and B be inconsistant , if your lucky you will get neither , When choosing your sealing element dont go to a high solids content ( glossy ) finish as this will become very slippery on the smooth stone when wet . Remember to retain the colour if chosen you will need to replace the sealer every 1-2 years, ThankYOu mr UV only issue with living in this part of the world , make sure when you seal its not too soon or to much moisture causing delamination and peeling . God i love CONCRETE , here all year try the fish just got to pipe up again re the above, It sounds like this advise relates to a bad job you have had done? If done properly there will be no inconsistency in colour. Wet concrete is a much more intense colour than the final product hence fading quickly as it cures is normal. If it fades too much then not enough colour oxide has been used or a cheap brand that is not iv resistant has been used. Or your concretor has not properly prepared you as to the final expected colour for your dosage. If slipperiness is a concern exposed is the most suitable surface and can give great grip on steep slopes. Sure your not talking about polished concrete being slippery? Rory , you saying that colour thru concrete is the right colour everytime and all the varibles that come into play when placing doesnt effect the overall look ? UV resistant pigments ? If you can give a 100% consistancy warranty on colour thru i can get you so much work for Mirvac , i see more coloured sealers trying to fix failed colour thru than good consistant job and i dont make the failed jobs i fix them :) Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 13Jul 28, 2012 12:05 pm Getjason Rory , you saying that colour thru concrete is the right colour everytime and all the varibles that come into play when placing doesnt effect the overall look ? UV resistant pigments ? If you can give a 100% consistancy warranty on colour thru i can get you so much work for Mirvac , i see more coloured sealers trying to fix failed colour thru than good consistant job and i dont make the failed jobs i fix them :) Hey Jason, I have never had variation in colour through with exposed aggregate as you described. Because the finished surface is not seen until the concrete is exposed the day after the pour it hasnt been trowelled (which lightens the colour) or seen the elements during the pour. And no I dont get variation in my regular colour through as I have made all the mistakes in my youth (and never again fingers crossed). I havent had to reach for the colourseal for many years. Last time it happened the day was hot and windy and the concrete a double dose of black. All was going to plan when the owner let his chiuaua out. We had to fix hundreds of little chiuaua footprints before we could stipple. Anyway these days no more taking risks incase the unexpected happens. Its all about consistency. Same doses, same slump, not trowelling bleed water into the surface, not throwing water onto the surface when the concrete is getting too hard to trowel. Not letting the concrete get too hard to trowel! Having an evenly moist subgrade, not pouring half in the shade half in hot sun, having a capable crew with enough hands on deck. Not pouring on a windy day, finding a reliable concrete supplier, reminding the customer to keep the dog inside, and the list goes on. There is always the potential for disaster in concreting with so many variables hence why your fixing so much. And builders tend to hire the cheapest subcontractors and use the cheapest materials they can find. Which is great for the kids who are learning. (thats how I learnt the trade) Not so good for the customers. And even the good concretors they hire they are not paying them enough to fund a proper size crew and use the better materials so they have to cut corners and get through jobs quicker, hence the difficulties. They would probably not want to pay the extra $5 or $10/sqm for me. But yes I do guarantee my jobs. And I could guarantee colour consistency as my jobs are consistent in colour. Although Its good they are using colour through. I cringe when I see a new house go in with a plain concrete driveway and 1 coat of colourseal on top. Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 14Jul 28, 2012 9:15 pm I am hoping you guys might be able to help me... which is more expensive - in colour concrete driveway or an aggregate driveway. Or alternatively, is a crushed pressed rock driveway cheaper than either of these? Thanks Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 15Jul 31, 2012 8:06 pm Lady Dragonfly I am hoping you guys might be able to help me... which is more expensive - in colour concrete driveway or an aggregate driveway. Or alternatively, is a crushed pressed rock driveway cheaper than either of these? Thanks Aggregate costs more. I have an aggregate on the driveway, and some coloured concrete in the alfresco. I could have saved some money by downgrading to coloured concrete for the driveway, I'm glad I didn't Re: What is better? Exposed Aggregate vs Coloured Concrete? 16Jul 31, 2012 8:57 pm Another option to consider perhaps which I have seen done very successfully is to have poured limestone which has a coloured oxide or something through it. The colour I have seen is a dark charcoal which has faded slightly over the last 5 years but still looks lovely... Slab Poured 30/05/12 Lower Floor Plate High 20/08/12 Upper Floor & Wall Framing 30/08/12 Roof 14/09/12 Lock-Up 13/12/12 Yee haaaaa WE ARE IN & I HAVE A NEW IPHONE Last year I had a gas leak at my house. 3 days later, I have about 1 sqm of my exposed aggregate paving broken up. I am not sure how to go about getting it repaired… 0 10415 After some ideas on making our patio kid friendly . Currently we have exposed aggregate. The patio faces west and is always in sun even though it has a shade directly… 0 3642 2 833 |