Exposed Aggregate Concrete In Bendigo

Exposed Aggregate Concrete Experts

Trusted concreting in Bendigo - quality finishes, fair pricing, and over 12 years of local experience

Exposed aggregate is the most popular decorative concrete finish in Bendigo, and for good reason: it looks the part, it grips underfoot, and it wears far better than a smooth slab. Peak Concreting Bendigo lays exposed aggregate driveways, paths, pool surrounds and alfresco areas, washing back the surface to reveal the natural stone in the mix for a textured, hard-wearing finish. Steve has been laying it across the region for over twelve years, so he knows how to get the reveal even, how to time the wash so the stone sits proud without loosening, and how to seal it so the colour stays rich. The finish is only as good as the slab beneath it, so every job is built on a properly compacted base with steel reinforcement and control joints, poured to sound concreting practice. You get a fixed written quote before work starts, a choice of stone colours and blends shown on site, and a surface built to last through Bendigo's hot summers and frosty winters. Call Steve on 0485 032 128 for a free quote.

GET A FREE QUOTE

Full Name *

Phone *

Short message about your needs *

I agree to terms & conditions provided by the company. By providing my phone number, I agree to receive text messages from the business.

0485 032 128

Peak Concreting Bendigo

What exposed aggregate concrete is and where it works

Exposed aggregate is a decorative finish rather than a different kind of concrete: the top layer of cement paste is washed away while the slab is still curing to reveal the stones, or aggregate, within the mix. The result is a textured, speckled surface with real depth of colour, and because the stone itself forms the wearing surface it is naturally non-slip and extremely hard-wearing. That combination of looks and durability is why it is the most requested decorative finish across Bendigo. It suits driveways beautifully, where the grip and the way it hides tyre marks and oil spots earn their keep, and it is equally at home on paths, front entrances, alfresco and entertaining areas, and as a pool surround where a cooler, slip-resistant surface around the water matters. The look is set by the stone: you can choose from warm golden and honey tones that suit Bendigo's heritage sandstone and brick homes, cooler greys and charcoals for a modern build, or crisp white and quartz blends for a lighter, coastal feel. The size of the stone changes the character too, from a fine, subtle scatter to a chunkier, more pronounced pebble finish. Steve brings sample boards to your quote so you can hold the blends against your home and driveway before you commit, rather than choosing from a brochure.

Peak Concreting Bendigo

How we get an even, long-lasting exposed finish

Getting exposed aggregate right is all about preparation, timing and consistency, which is where experience earns its money. There are two ways to get the stone into the surface: a through-mix, where the decorative aggregate is batched right through the concrete, and a seeded finish, where the stone is scattered onto the surface of a freshly poured slab and floated in. We choose the method to suit the finish you want and the job, and either way the slab underneath is built properly first, with a compacted crushed-rock base, steel mesh reinforcement, the correct thickness and control joints, because a decorative finish on a poorly built slab still cracks. Once the concrete is placed and finished, the critical step is the wash, or reveal. Time it too early and the stones loosen and pop out; leave it too late and the paste has set too hard to wash back cleanly. Judging that window comes down to reading the concrete on the day, allowing for the weather, because Bendigo's summer heat sets a slab far quicker than a cool, overcast day. We wash back evenly across the whole area so there are no patchy spots where the stone is buried in one place and stripped bare in another, which is the tell-tale sign of a rushed job. Finally we let it cure and then apply a quality sealer, which locks the surface, deepens the colour and makes the finish much easier to keep clean. Done this way, the finish stays consistent and holds up for decades with only occasional resealing.

Peak Concreting Bendigo

Why Bendigo chooses Peak Concreting for exposed aggregate

Exposed aggregate is a finish where the difference between a good job and a poor one is obvious the moment it is washed off, so it pays to use someone who does it regularly. Steve has been laying exposed aggregate across Bendigo, Eaglehawk, Kangaroo Flat, Strathfieldsaye and the surrounding towns for over twelve years, and he pours and finishes every job himself rather than handing it to a subcontractor. That matters most at the wash stage, where reading the concrete and getting the reveal even across the whole area is the whole game. Working locally, he knows how our climate affects the pour, from the fast set on a hot northerly day to the slower cure in a frosty snap, and he plans the timing around it. You get honest guidance on which stone blend suits your home and how it will weather, a fixed written quote with the sealing included so there are no surprises, and a clean site at the end. We are fully insured and we build the slab beneath the finish to the same standard as any structural pour, so you are not paying for looks alone. For most customers it is the consistency of the finish and the straight dealing that lead them to recommend us, and a lot of our exposed aggregate work comes from neighbours who saw the last job.

Peak Concreting Bendigo

What exposed aggregate concrete costs in Bendigo

Exposed aggregate is priced by the square metre and sits above plain concrete because there is more in it: the decorative stone, the extra labour in seeding and washing back, and the sealing. As an indicative guide for the Bendigo area, exposed aggregate typically runs from around $100 to $150 per square metre supplied, laid and sealed, though the figure moves with the stone you choose, the size of the area and the site. A premium imported stone or a white quartz blend costs more than a standard local aggregate, and a small, awkward area works out dearer per square metre than a large open driveway because the set-up and wash time is spread over less ground. On top of the finish itself, the price reflects the usual slab factors: excavation, the depth and quality of the base, slab thickness for the traffic it will carry, drainage, site access, and whether an old surface has to be removed first. Because those variables change from job to job, a headline rate only takes you so far. Steve measures up on site, confirms the stone and finish you want, and gives you a fixed written quote that includes the sealing, so the number you are quoted is the number you pay. If you are weighing exposed aggregate against a plain or coloured finish, he will talk you through the cost difference honestly. Call 0485 032 128 for a free measure and quote.

Peak Concreting Bendigo

Exposed aggregate compared with plain, coloured and honed concrete

It helps to see where exposed aggregate sits against the other finishes so you can pick the one that suits your priorities. Against plain or broom-finished concrete, exposed aggregate costs more but gives you far more grip, hides marks and stains better, and lifts the look of a driveway or entertaining area considerably, which is why many people happily pay the difference for the front of the house. Against coloured concrete, the two are closer in price, and the choice comes down to style: coloured concrete gives a smooth, uniform tint through the whole slab for a clean, contemporary look, while exposed aggregate gives natural texture and a speckled, stone finish that hides wear and weathering better over time. Against honed concrete, which is mechanically ground back to a smoother, more refined surface, exposed aggregate is more textured, more slip-resistant and generally more forgiving underfoot and to maintain, whereas honed gives a sleeker, more polished appearance but can be slippery when wet and shows marks more readily. The one honest downside of exposed aggregate is that the textured surface takes a little more effort to sweep and hose clean than a smooth finish, and it benefits from resealing every few years to keep it looking its best. As a rule, choose exposed aggregate when you want durable grip and a natural look, coloured when you want a smooth uniform colour, and honed when a refined, sleek finish is the priority. Steve will show you samples of each on site.

Related Concreting Services

Polished Concrete in Bendigo

Ground and polished concrete floors for homes and businesses, from a subtle cream finish to full aggregate and matte to high-gloss, hard-wearing and easy to clean. Fixed written quotes and an even, consistent finish.

Honed Concrete in Bendigo

Honed concrete driveways, pool surrounds and alfresco areas, mechanically ground to a smooth matte finish that looks like polished concrete but keeps its grip outdoors. Fixed written quotes and an even, consistent finish.

Concrete Sealing in Bendigo

Sealing for driveways, paths, exposed aggregate and decorative concrete, using the right sealer applied over a properly prepared surface to resist oil, stains, water and fading. Fixed written quotes and honest resealing advice.

TESTIMONIALS

What Our Exposed Aggregate Concrete Customers Say About Us

The Process

3 Step Process For Your Exposed Aggregate Concrete Needs

Free Quote

Call Steve to describe the job. He visits to measure up, check access and ground, then gives you a fixed written price.

We Prepare

We excavate the site, compact the base, set formwork and steel mesh, then pour and finish your concrete the way you chose.

Finish Up

We cut control joints, cure the slab properly, strip the formwork and clean the site, leaving a durable finish built to last.

Exposed Aggregate Concrete In Bendigo

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything you need to know about our Exposed Aggregate Concrete In Bendigo

What are the disadvantages of exposed aggregate concrete?

Exposed aggregate is a great finish, but it is fair to know the trade-offs. The textured surface takes a little more effort to sweep and hose clean than a smooth slab, because grit and leaves can catch in the stone. It also benefits from resealing every few years to keep the colour rich and the surface easy to clean, which is a small ongoing cost. It costs more up front than plain concrete because of the decorative stone and the extra labour in washing back. And the quality depends heavily on the finisher getting the reveal even, which is why it pays to use someone experienced. For most people the durability and looks outweigh these points.

Is exposed aggregate cheaper than plain concrete?

No, exposed aggregate costs more than a plain or broom finish, because there is more in the job. You are paying for the decorative stone in the mix, the extra labour involved in seeding and washing back the surface at the right time, and a quality sealer over the top. As an indicative guide it typically runs from around $100 to $150 per square metre in the Bendigo area, against roughly $65 to $90 for plain. What you get for the difference is a tougher, non-slip, better-looking surface that hides wear. Call 0485 032 128 for a fixed quote on your job.

What kind of concrete do you use for exposed aggregate?

Exposed aggregate uses a standard structural concrete mix with a decorative aggregate, or stone, either batched right through the mix or seeded onto the surface of the fresh pour. The stone is the visible finish, so the choice of aggregate, its colour and its size set the look. The slab itself is still built and reinforced like any other concrete slab, with a compacted base, steel mesh and control joints, because the finish is only as good as what is underneath it. Steve will talk you through the stone options and bring samples to your quote so you can choose the blend.

How much does exposed aggregate concrete cost per square metre?

As an indicative guide for the Bendigo area, exposed aggregate typically runs from around $100 to $150 per square metre supplied, laid and sealed. The exact rate depends on the stone you choose, since premium and white quartz blends cost more than standard aggregates, the size and shape of the area, site access, and how much excavation and base preparation the site needs. A small, awkward area works out dearer per square metre than a large open driveway. Steve measures up on site and gives you a fixed written quote with the sealing included. Ring 0485 032 128 to arrange it.

How do I keep my exposed aggregate looking good?

Exposed aggregate is low maintenance, but a little care keeps it looking its best. Sweep or blow off leaves and grit regularly so they do not stain the surface, and give it a hose down or a gentle pressure wash when it needs it. The main thing is resealing every few years, which restores the colour, protects against oil and stains, and makes the surface easier to clean. Avoid harsh acids and heavy solvents, which can damage the sealer and the stone. When it is time to reseal, we can take care of it as part of our concrete sealing service.

Can you lay exposed aggregate around a pool?

Yes, exposed aggregate is a popular choice for pool surrounds because the textured surface is naturally non-slip when wet and the stone finish tends to stay cooler underfoot than a dark smooth slab. We build the surround with the correct falls so water drains away from the pool and the house rather than pooling, set control joints to manage movement, and seal the finish to protect it from pool chemicals and make it easy to clean. Steve will help you choose a stone colour that suits the pool and the house. Call 0485 032 128 for a quote.