The advantages of exposed aggregate are durability, customisability, and low maintenance, and its disadvantages are being more costly to install and difficult to repair. Just like concrete, exposed aggregate is a popular material used in driveways because of its benefits.
Exposed aggregate is also a non-slip surface, so it doesn’t get slippery once wet. It can also be made using recycled materials, making it an eco-friendly alternative to other options.
In this post, we’ll discuss more on the advantages and disadvantages of exposed aggregate.
Advantages of Exposed Aggregate
These are the main advantages of exposed aggregate:
It’s Highly Durable
One of the key advantages provided by exposed aggregate is its durability. The aggregate material is made up of small stones or gravel, providing extra resistance and strength to its overall structure.
With the aggregate being embedded directly into concrete driveway finishes, the exposed aggregate’s surface becomes tougher compared to just regular concrete. The increased sturdiness of exposed aggregate makes it an ideal choice for use in driveways since it will be able to withstand high traffic and heavy loads.
It’s Easy to Customise
The second reason why people choose exposed aggregate for their driveways is because of how customisable it can be. You can choose a variety of textures and colours for your surface that matches your property’s existing architecture or landscape. You can also select the depth of the exposure and size of the aggregate if you want.
Furthermore, you can get your exposed aggregate stamped and coloured so that it will look similar to natural brick, stone, or other materials.
It Requires Minimal Maintenance
Compared to other types of driveway finishes, exposed aggregate will require minimal maintenance after being installed. It makes it quite a convenient and cost-effective choice for people who want to save additional expenses.
Additionally, exposed aggregate is highly resistant to mould, discolouration, and staining than other finishes. This means you don’t need to have your exposed aggregate driveway cleaned as much.
Disadvantages of Exposed Aggregate
These are the primary disadvantages of exposed aggregate:
It Costs More to Install
One of the major disadvantages of exposed aggregate is that it costs more to install than its counterparts. The installation process will require more materials and labour, leading to increased expenses. It also involves several steps, such as base preparation and concrete pouring.
Furthermore, the aggregate material will be more costly than other materials.
It’s Difficult to Patch and Repair
Exposed aggregate is far more challenging to repair than other driveway finishes because of its unique characteristics. It’s hard to find a matching exposed aggregate design once you remove a section since the quarry may no longer have the same pebbles available.
It will also require experts to use specialised equipment to repair exposed aggregate.
If you want to learn about the concrete driveway mistakes you should avoid, read our blog about them here.