Decorative concrete
Exposed Aggregate Concrete in London, Ontario
Exposed aggregate concrete strips away the top layer of cement paste to reveal the rounded stone inside, giving a surface with natural colour and real grip. Concrete Surface Solutions pours exposed aggregate driveways, walkways, steps and pool decks for London homeowners who want something more distinctive than plain grey concrete without the upkeep of a stamped pattern.
The finish depends on a narrow window between pour and wash-off, and getting it right comes from repetition. Our crews bring 20+ years of flatwork experience and 950+ completed jobs to that timing, in every season from cool spring mornings to hot August afternoons.
We show you real stone samples before you choose, so the finished surface matches what you pictured.
- 20+ years experience
- 950+ jobs completed
- Licensed & insured
- WSIB covered
What we pour
Our Exposed Aggregate Concrete Services
Exposed aggregate is exterior concrete finished so the coarse stone in the mix shows at the surface, set in a thin matrix of cement paste. It suits any homeowner who wants a slip-resistant surface that ages well and looks at home beside brick, stone and landscaping.
We install it on new work and replacements, either across a whole surface or as a border around another finish.
Driveways
The most popular use, built on the same base and slab spec as our concrete driveway installations.
Walkways
Front and side-yard walks where grip on wet leaves and slush matters every day.
Steps and landings
Aggregate treads with smooth nosings, poured through our concrete steps and walkways service.
Pool decks and patios
Small, rounded stone with a light exposure that stays comfortable underfoot.
The appeal
Why Homeowners Choose Exposed Aggregate
Homeowners choose exposed aggregate for three reasons: winter traction, a surface that hides wear, and a natural stone look. In a city that sees snow, freezing rain and slush for four or five months a year, the first reason usually decides it.
Grip in winter
Each exposed stone acts like a tiny cleat, so boots and tires bite through a thin layer of packed snow or slush. That makes it a strong choice for sloped driveways and for households with older family members.
Hides marks and wear
The mottled stone texture camouflages tire scuffs, oil drips, rust from patio furniture and the light salt residue that shows up on smooth grey concrete. After years of use it still looks consistent.
A natural look
Because the finish is real stone rather than a printed pattern, it never looks fake up close. Tan, grey and rust tones blend with brick, stone veneer and garden beds.
Design options
Stone Blends and Finish Options
Your design choices are the stone itself, whether it comes from the mix or is seeded on top, how deeply it is exposed, and what kind of border frames it. Each choice changes cost, comfort and grip.
We order the stone and mix through London ready-mix plants such as CBM or Amrize London Ready Mix, and we show you samples of the actual blend before the order goes in.
Natural River Rock Blends
The standard option uses rounded glacial gravel from Southwestern Ontario pits, in a mix of cream, tan, grey and rust. The stone is batched into the concrete at the plant, typically at 10 mm (3/8 in.) or 20 mm (3/4 in.) size.
It is the most economical exposed finish and the easiest to match years later for an addition.
Seeded Decorative Stone
For a specific colour, such as black basalt, white quartz or a red granite blend, we broadcast decorative stone by hand across the fresh surface and float it in. Seeding puts a dense, even layer of premium stone exactly where it shows, without paying for it through the full slab depth.
It costs more in labour and material, and needs an experienced finisher to keep the stone density even.
Light vs Deep Exposure
Light exposure just reveals the tops of the stone, giving a smoother, sand-textured surface that is kind to bare feet. Deep exposure uncovers more of each stone for maximum grip and a bold, pebbled look.
We never expose more than about a third of a stone's diameter, because deeper washing leaves stones loosely held and prone to popping out.
Borders: Broom, Smooth or Stamped
A 150 to 300 mm border frames the aggregate and gives a clean edge against lawn and garden. A smooth trowelled border looks crisp, a broom border adds grip, and a stamped brick border pairs well with older homes.
Our stamped concrete service covers the pattern options if you want a stamped band.
Comparison
Exposed Aggregate vs Stamped Concrete
Exposed aggregate grips better, hides wear better and usually costs less than stamped concrete, while stamped concrete offers more design control and a closer imitation of slate, brick or wood. For driveways and steps, most London homeowners find exposed aggregate the more practical decorative choice.
| Factor | Exposed aggregate | Stamped concrete |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway cost | $16 to $21 per sq ft | $18 to $26 per sq ft |
| Winter traction | Excellent; stone texture grips through slush | Fair; depends on pattern depth and grit in the sealer |
| Hiding wear and stains | Very good; busy texture camouflages marks | Moderate; sealer wear shows as dull patches |
| Resealing | Every 1 to 2 years; looks fine if a coat is late | Every 1 to 2 years; fades noticeably if skipped |
| Look | Natural pebble texture in stone colours | Slate, stone, brick or wood patterns in chosen colours |
| Barefoot comfort | Good with small stone and light exposure | Good, especially wood plank textures |
| Crack repair | Blends reasonably well | Hard to colour-match |
Prices are typical London-area driveway ranges for 2026. Walkways and patios vary with access and layout.
Our process
How Exposed Aggregate Is Installed
Exposed aggregate is installed like any exterior slab until the finishing stage, when a surface retarder delays the set of the top layer so it can be washed away. A typical driveway takes 3 to 5 days on site, and the wash-off happens on pour day or the morning after.
- Base and forms
We excavate, compact Granular A and set forms to a fall that drains water away from the house and garage.
- Pour or seed
An air-entrained aggregate mix is placed and screeded. For seeded finishes, the decorative stone is broadcast and pressed into the surface.
- Float and spray retarder
Once floated, the slab is sprayed evenly with a top-surface retarder, a chemical that slows the set of only the top few millimetres of paste.
- Timed wash-off
When a test patch shows the paste rinsing cleanly without loosening stone, the crew washes and brushes the whole surface to expose the aggregate.
- Joints and curing
Control joints are saw cut, then the slab cures for at least 7 days before cars park on it.
- Clean and seal
Any light cement haze is cleaned off and the surface is sealed to lock in the stone and deepen its colour.
Why wash-off timing matters: depending on the retarder and the weather, the wash window can open anywhere from about 4 to 24 hours after the pour. Wash too early and stones tear out, leaving pits; wash too late and the paste will not release, so the stone stays buried under a grey film.
We test small areas first and adjust for shade, sun and temperature across the slab, because the shaded side of a driveway often needs washing hours after the sunny side.
Pricing
Exposed Aggregate Cost in London
Exposed aggregate driveways in London typically cost $16 to $21 per sq ft. That sits between a broom finish at $12 to $16 per sq ft and stamped concrete at $18 to $26 per sq ft.
The main factors that move a quote within that range:
- Stone choice: standard river rock blends cost least; seeded basalt, quartz or granite cost more.
- Exposure depth: deeper exposure means more retarder and longer wash-off labour.
- Borders: a contrasting smooth, broom or stamped border adds $2 to $5 per sq ft extra.
- Removal and access: old surface removal adds $2 to $4 per sq ft, and a pump for tight access adds $450 to $900 per pour when a pump is needed.
- Steps: aggregate treads on new steps are priced at about $650 to $1,000 per step.
Lower long-run upkeep
Professional resealing of exposed aggregate costs about $1.25 to $2.50 per sq ft, and because the texture hides a late coat well, many owners stretch to the full 2-year interval. Over a decade that often makes it cheaper to own than a stamped surface.
Maintenance
Sealing and Caring for Exposed Aggregate
Seal exposed aggregate after it cures and every 1 to 2 years after that, and clean it with water and a stiff brush rather than harsh chemicals. A sealed surface holds its stones, sheds salt water and keeps its colour.
Choosing a sealer
For a richer, wet look we typically specify a solvent-based acrylic cure-and-seal such as Euclid Super Diamond Clear TB. For a natural, matte look that breathes, a penetrating sealer such as Sikagard-219 is the better fit.
How often to reseal
Driveways usually need a fresh coat every year or so, while walkways and pool decks often go two. Water that soaks in and darkens the surface instead of beading is the signal to book our concrete sealing service.
Winter care
No de-icers the first winter; use sand for grip instead. After that, use rock salt sparingly and never ammonium-based de-icers, which attack the paste holding the stone.
Loose stones and cracks
An occasional popped stone is normal and can be reset with epoxy. Widespread stone loss or cracking points to a deeper problem for our concrete repair and resurfacing crew to assess.
Why us
Why Choose Us for Exposed Aggregate
With exposed aggregate, the crew's judgment on pour day decides the result, and there is no fixing a bad wash-off afterward. Homeowners choose us because we have done it many times, show the stone before ordering it, and back the work in writing.
Wash-off experience
20+ years of flatwork has taught our finishers to read the retarder, the weather and the shade line, and to keep a crew on site until every section is washed.
Samples before you commit
We bring stone samples and finished examples so you see exposure depth and colour in person, not in a filtered photo.
A written warranty
New exposed aggregate work carries our 3-year workmanship warranty. Terms and exclusions are on our concrete warranty page, and our WSIB clearance and insurance certificate are available on request.
Exposed aggregate is one of several finishes in our residential concrete services. Browse finished driveways and walks in our concrete project gallery.
Service area
Exposed Aggregate Finishes in London and Area Towns
We pour exposed aggregate across London and the surrounding towns. Dorchester is about about 15 minutes from our yard, and its larger lots often come with long driveways where winter grip is the main reason owners choose an aggregate finish.
For pours in Woodstock, about 35 minutes away, we keep the finishing crew on site through the whole retarder window rather than planning a return trip for the wash-off.
FAQ
Exposed Aggregate FAQs
Here are fuller answers to the questions homeowners ask us most about exposed aggregate. For anything else, call (226) 243-3585.
Is exposed aggregate a good choice for a driveway?
Yes, it is one of the best finishes for a London driveway. The exposed stone gives tires and boots far more grip on packed snow than smooth concrete, and the busy texture hides tire marks, oil drips and salt residue.
Underneath, it is the same air-entrained slab and compacted base we use on every concrete driveway installation, so it handles freeze-thaw cycles just as well as a broom finish.
Does exposed aggregate need to be sealed?
Yes. Sealing locks the stones into the surface paste, keeps salt water out and holds the colour of the stone. Plan on a fresh coat every 1 to 2 years, with driveways at the shorter end because of vehicle traffic and slush.
A film-forming acrylic gives a darker, wet look, while a penetrating sealer leaves the stone looking natural. Our concrete sealing service can handle either.
Is exposed aggregate comfortable barefoot around a pool?
It can be, if it is designed for bare feet. We use small, rounded stone of about 10 mm (3/8 in.) and a light exposure that leaves the stone tops smooth and level with the paste, rather than a deep, knobbly finish.
A lighter stone blend also stays cooler in July sun than dark stone. See our concrete patio and pool deck service for drainage and slope around pools.
Free estimate
Request an Exposed Aggregate Quote
Tell us what you want to pour and roughly how large it is. We will reply within one business day and can bring stone samples to the site visit so you can choose a blend on the spot.
Your written quote will list the stone, exposure depth, border and sealer, along with the warranty term.
- Call or text (226) 243-3585
- Email info@concretesurfacesolutions.ca (attach photos or drawings here)
- Monday to Saturday: 7:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Directions, office hours and what happens after you reach out are on our free concrete estimate page.
Call (226) 243-3585