All You Have To Know About Exposed Aggregate
The act of revealing the aggregate, or big stones or other material mixed in with the concrete, is what we refer to as “exposed aggregate.” Exposed concrete is known to offer a more textured surface and a distinct aesthetic than most concrete surfaces’ conventional, flat, grey slab.
Pros Of Exposed Aggregate
When planning a significant repair or new construction project, you have the potential to create something genuinely distinctive and visually spectacular, and exposed aggregates may help.
Artistic And Versatile
“Exposed aggregate” is a somewhat ambiguous word which indicates that the concrete’s components are visible from the surface, which allows a great deal of customization. The aggregates utilized for this surface vary as well and may comprise any of the following:
- Crushed stones
- Chips made of porcelain
- Bathroom with white
- Shells from the sea
- polished stones
- Sand
Driveways with exposed aggregate can be either textured by elevating the surface or smoothed out and polished. Depending on your taste and preferences, exposed aggregates can be colourful, glittery, or artificially fashioned into soothing swirls and motifs. In this regard, when constructing or renovating a home, you’ll have a wide variety of options to choose from.
As Tenacious As Any Other
Material Visible aggregates are just as durable as any simple concrete surface. Most importantly, exposed aggregate surfaces can withstand extended periods of high traffic and high winds with little to no maintenance.
Powerful, Robust, And With Tremendous Traction
- Most exposed concrete patterns are elevated, making them durable and long-lasting while also providing good grip. This might prove to be quite useful during the colder months of winter. The increased surface roughness improves your vehicle’s traction, and a noise-cancelling device helps mitigate any future issues.
- A gravel road would become smoother and unsafe over time because other materials lack the extreme roughness that gravel has. The aggregate surfaces used in this method are more reliable and sturdy enough to sustain the weight of pedestrians and vehicles. A Realistic Option
- Visible aggregate concrete may offer your property a more appealing appearance that will likely attract attention. Because the inner elements are exposed, these aggregate surfaces have a more “natural” appearance than plain concrete or brick.
Blends Well With All Types Of Designs
Aggregate surfaces are frequently neutral but can also be brightly colored or tailored to a particular house design. If you’re building a house, you’re probably planning out all the different designs, colors, and styles, and while some aggregate kinds may match your home better than others, they typically integrate well with a wide range of styles.
In fact, aggregate colors may be as subtle or bright as you want them to be, and with the freedom to mix and combine materials, you can create something uniquely yours.
Cost-Effective
You may save money by eliminating the cost of professional maintenance. The visible aggregate grout does not change color over time. There will be no weeds, gaps, or sand erosion. Other materials, such as bricks or pavers, may be incapable of overcoming these issues, but the exposed aggregate is an expection in this context. Unlike different types of ornamental concrete, this one does not require painting. As previously shown, it doesn’t warp or shred in most circumstances.
Important Things To Note About Decorative Concrete
Customers / users must learn few aspects about tangible goods. Some of the drawbacks of utilizing exposed aggregate are as follows:
You Can’t Do It By Yourself:
It would help if you do not attempt to DIY exposed aggregate unless you have prior experience with concrete. Always hire a reputable professional to handle the dirty work for you.
The Material Is Susceptible To Damage:
This is especially true for ornamental stones. Because they will be subjected to heavy and regular traffic, they may fail in a span of years.
Apart from the aforementioned methods there is one method incorporating specific unique components into the concrete mix before pouring it over the surface. Another option is to run an extra layer of ornamental concrete on top of the existing concrete once it has cured.
Conclusion
We must understand that, most ornamental concrete solutions listed above, including exposed aggregate, have essentially no design limitations. If the exposed aggregate is not for you, investigate the alternatives mentioned above. Allow a specialist to advise you on which option suits your flooring needs.