Exposed Aggregate Concrete in Hervey Bay
Washed-back concrete that shows the stone. Grips when wet, hides marks, suits driveways and pool areas.
Call 0489 955 511 Describe the job
This line puts you onto a licensed local concreter. They quote and do the work.
How exposed aggregate is made
An exposed aggregate slab is poured with a decorative stone in the mix. Once it is placed and finished, a surface retarder is sprayed on, which stops the top few millimetres of cement paste from setting while the slab underneath hardens. Later, usually the next morning, the surface is washed and scrubbed to remove that paste and reveal the stone.
Timing is the whole trick. Wash too early and stones come loose. Leave it too long and the paste sets hard and the stone never shows. That judgement is what separates a good aggregate finish from a patchy one, and it is worth asking a concreter how they handle hot days, when everything happens faster.
Choosing the stone
The stone sets the look. Darker blends hide dirt and suit a modern house. Lighter, rounder river stone feels softer and suits a beach house. Supplier sample boards show the range, and it is worth looking at a finished slab in daylight rather than a small sample under shop lights, because the colour of the cement around the stone changes the whole effect.
Why it suits Hervey Bay
Exposed aggregate grips when wet, which matters around pools and on the paths you walk with sandy feet. It hides tyre marks, leaf stains and the general wear that shows up quickly on plain grey concrete. On a coast with strong sun, it also avoids the glare a smooth pale slab throws back at you in summer.
Sealing, and resealing
A sealer brings out the stone’s colour and makes the surface easier to keep clean. Near the water, sealing also helps keep salt out of the surface. Sealers wear with sun and traffic, so expect to reseal every few years. Ask what sealer is being quoted and how long it is expected to last.
Where people use it
Most of the requests for exposed aggregate around the bay are driveways, followed by pool surrounds and front paths. It can also be matched to an existing aggregate slab, though an exact match to concrete that has weathered for years is rarely possible.
Call 0489 955 511 with the area, the stone you like and a photo, and a licensed local concreter will come back to you about measuring and quoting.
Common questions
Is exposed aggregate slippery around a pool?
Exposed aggregate generally grips well when wet, which is why it is popular around pools. The sealer changes that: a heavy gloss sealer can make any surface slicker. Ask about the slip rating of the finish and sealer together, tested under AS 4586.
Describe the job
Size, finish and suburb is plenty. A photo helps more than a long description.
- Line open
- Weekdays, 7am to 5pm
- Covers
- Hervey Bay and the nearby beaches
- Cost to you
- Nothing. The concreter quotes
- Your details go to one licensed local concreter, not a list of five
- Measurements and a photo of the area usually get you a rough figure before anyone visits
- Ask for the quote in writing, with the slab thickness, mesh and finish spelled out