Exposed aggregate
Exposed Aggregate
Exposed aggregate driveways and entries in any supplier's blend, sealed and slip-resistant.
Exposed aggregate is the finish most people picture when they think of a Perth driveway that actually looks considered. Instead of a flat trowelled surface, the top layer is worked back during the pour so the decorative stone blend sits just proud of the concrete. It reads as texture and depth from the street, and it’s genuinely practical underfoot, especially on driveways, entries and anywhere that gets wet.
It’s the finish we get asked for most, and it’s suited to driveways, entry statements, side access and outdoor living areas alike. If you want a surface that looks deliberately finished rather than just poured and left, this is usually the answer.
Who it suits
Homeowners doing a driveway or entry upgrade, anyone building a side access path that needs to tie in with the front of the house, and people finishing an alfresco or outdoor area who want the same treatment to run from the front of the property to the back. It also suits anyone who’s had a plain grey slab crack or discolour over the years and wants the replacement to actually add kerb appeal this time.
What CJH actually does
Every job starts with a free measure and quote on site, so you know what you’re paying before anything is booked in. From there:
- Site prep. Excavation to the right depth, base compacted, falls set so water runs where it should.
- Formwork. Edges boxed in accurately, this is what gives you the clean, straight lines you see in a finished driveway.
- Reinforcement. Mesh or reo laid to spec so the slab handles vehicle loads and doesn’t crack prematurely.
- The pour. Your chosen decorative blend poured and screeded to level and fall.
- The finish. Once it’s gone off enough, we wash and brush back the top layer to expose the aggregate, working it evenly across the whole surface so there are no patchy spots.
- Sealing. Once cured, the surface gets sealed for protection and colour retention.
Where we’ve poured it
We’ve done exposed aggregate driveways and entries across the northern suburbs, including a Beeliar driveway and entry finished in Jacaranda White, and a Quinns Rocks side access job finished in Jacaranda. Both jobs used the same process: clean prep, careful formwork, then a consistent exposure finish that ties the new concrete into the rest of the property.
What drives the price
As a Perth market guide, exposed aggregate generally sits around ~$100-$150/m2, against ~$70-$90/m2 for a plain finish. The difference mostly comes down to the aggregate blend you choose, how much prep the site needs (demolition of old concrete, excavation, access for the truck), and the total area. We don’t quote off the phone, every job gets measured properly first so the number you get is the number you pay.
Get a quote
If you’re after an exposed aggregate driveway, entry or outdoor area anywhere in Perth, give us a call on 0476 722 330 or send through some photos and we’ll organise a free measure and quote.
Exposed Aggregate
By CJH Concrete · Perth WA
Finishes available
Options for this scope.
01 Geostone Jacaranda
02 Geostone Jacaranda White
03 Any major supplier's blend
04 Fine-exposure aggregate
FAQ
Common questions.
What is exposed aggregate concrete?
It's a concrete mix with a decorative stone blend through it. Once poured, the top layer of cement paste is washed and brushed back so the stone sits just proud of the surface. You get grip underfoot and a finish with texture and depth, not a flat grey slab.
What's the Jacaranda blend?
Jacaranda and Jacaranda White are Geostone (Holcim) aggregate blends we use often on driveways and entries. Jacaranda gives a warmer, mixed-tone stone; Jacaranda White leans lighter and brighter. We pour blends from all the major suppliers though, not just Geostone, so we can talk you through the full range of sample options at the quote stage.
How much does exposed aggregate cost per square metre in Perth?
As a Perth market guide, exposed aggregate generally runs somewhere in the ~$100-$150/m2 range, depending on the blend, site access and prep needed. Every job is different, so we always do a free measure and quote rather than pricing off a phone call.
Does exposed aggregate need sealing?
Yes. We seal every exposed aggregate finish once it's cured. Sealing protects the surface, keeps the colour looking sharp, and makes it easier to keep clean over time.