5 Amazing Benefits of Exposed Aggregate Flooring

Exposed aggregate has become a popular choice for people who want a stylish, yet durable flooring option. It exudes a touch of class that modernizes the look of any patio, driveway, poolside, and walkway. While exposed aggregate is often associated with upscale sophistication, it’s actually a cost-effective exposed aggregate flooring option for both homes and business. In this article, we’ll be discussing 5 amazing benefits of using exposed aggregate and why it’s better than most flooring choices available today.

What is exposed aggregate?

Before we get started, it’s important to know what exposed aggregate is. Exposed aggregate is a type of decorative concrete that consists of small pebbles and stones. They come in a variety of different styles, colours, shades, and designs which you can perfectly match to the interior of your property. You can even achieve different looks ranging from ornamental ones to sparkling mosaic glass crystals.

Exposed aggregate is produced by creating a mixture of stones that vary in colour and size. These come in a ready-mix concrete that is poured over an area of flattened sand and gravel. From there, the top layer of cement is removed to reveal a beautiful, mirror-like finish that exposed aggregate has become known for.

Benefits of exposed aggregate

There’s more to exposed aggregate than its aesthetic appeal. Many consumers utilize exposed aggregate due to the myriad of benefits that it provides. Here are some examples:

1. Safety

Exposed aggregate has excellent slip-resistant properties. This is mainly due to its textured pebble surface that provides great traction underfoot, even in wet conditions. You’ll often see exposed aggregate used on poolsides and patios because it’s much safer compared to traditional concrete, which doesn’t provide the level of grip that exposed concrete can. You can also use exposed aggregate on a sloped driveway to minimize slips and accidents.

2. Durability

Much like traditional concrete, exposed aggregate is as durable as they come. When installed properly, you can expect your flooring to last for decades without suffering from excessive wear and tear. It holds up well in high-traffic areas like walkways and is fairly resistant to cracks, provided that it’s installed properly by experienced professionals. In terms of value for money, exposed aggregate definitely ranks among the top of the list so you won’t have to worry about replacing it every few years.

3. Low maintenance

One of the main perks of using exposed aggregate is that it requires little maintenance. It’s textured surface hides stains quite well and it only takes a pressure washer to eliminate dirt, debris, and other loose contaminants. Do keep in mind that exposed aggregate needs to be sealed every few years to retain its pristine shine. Sealing exposed aggregate protects the surface of the flooring and limits the appearance of tire marks, oil stains, and other similar marks.. Make sure to ask your concrete installer on which sealer works best for your flooring and how often you should reseal them.

Aside from that, you can expect exposed concrete to hold up against any type of weather condition all-year round.

4. Stylish

No other flooring choice can match the gleam and appeal of exposed concrete. It’s highly customizable, giving you plenty of room to mix and match according to your personal preferences. No matter the interior design, your concrete installer can mix stones in various gradients, pebble types, and sizes. Most of all, you can choose the type of finish from lightly honed to full-on shiny.

For even more flair, you can add stencil patterns to your footpath or driveway that will surely be the envy of the neighbours. Some advanced techniques can be used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of exposed concrete like using contrasting aggregates and alternating between exposed and smooth finishes.

5. Ease of construction

Installing exposed concrete is a fairly straightforward process. With the right contractor, you can expect the installation process to be smooth and stress-free. We do recommend working with a reputable exposed concrete installer to make sure the project turns out as expected. There’s a huge difference between a great concrete job and an average one, so make sure to only hire experienced contractors that know how to pour exposed concrete properly.

As you can see, there are plenty of advantages to using exposed aggregate. It combines beauty and functionality into one solid flooring option that provides great value for money. It’s a practical choice for those looking to add a bit of sophistication to their homes or businesses. Regardless of your budget, an experienced contractor will be able to find the right exposed concrete mix for your specific applications.