Traditional Conrete Vs Exposed Aggregate Concrete
The choice between traditional concrete and exposed aggregate is really a matter of personal preference; both are attractive and longwearing surfaces, giving you an abundance of style and colour options. Whether you prefer smooth, plain or coloured concrete, or the organic textures of exposed aggregate, both finishes will benefit your Adelaide home or business with unmatched durability, superior performance and a finish that is as unique as you are.
There are some significant differences between the two surfaces though, and these are important to consider, before marching ahead with your concreting project. At Adelaide City Concreting, customer satisfaction is our utmost concern, and we want you to be certain that your chosen finish will be one that you are ecstatic with, and one that you will admire for many years to come.
Traditional concrete in Adelaide
Traditional concrete contains a mixture of cement, fly ash and aggregates, including sand and stones. When used outdoors, for surfaces such as driveways and carparks, it is levelled with a trowel to achieve a smooth, non-slip finish. Many Adelaide homeowners enjoy the neat, modern look of standard concrete and the fact that it can be tinted or stained in virtually any colour.
Traditional concrete, especially in plain grey, has grown in popularity in recent years, in line with the budding industrial design trend. The crisp, clean minimalism of plain concrete has seen it used for everything from kitchen benchtops and tabletops, to sinks and bathroom vanities, where it is often juxtaposed against earthy timbers to create an impressive contrast.
Standard concrete has endured for decades as a favoured material for driveways and carparks. A classic neutral or monochrome surface will marry with any style of home and will never go out of style. This is a definite plus, considering that a well-maintained concrete surface can last well in excess of fifty years!
Having your concrete cleaned and resealed periodically is an inexpensive means of restoring the surface to as-new condition. It is wise to designate this job to a professional, as they have the specialised knowledge and equipment to maintain your surface without damaging it.
Traditional concrete is a very affordable surface for your Adelaide-based flooring project, it is the most affordable type of concrete, and is much more economical than pavers or outdoor tiles.
Exposed aggregate concrete in Adelaide
Exposed aggregate is an incredibly robust and versatile flooring surface, lending unrivalled warmth and sophistication to Adelaide homes and businesses.
The technique used to achieve that raw, textural finish involves pouring a pebbled pre-mix blend in your chosen colour, or by hand-seeding stones on to a wet concrete surface.
Once poured, a surface retardant is applied, which enables the concrete below to harden, while the utmost layer remains soft. After a few hours, the soft top layer is rinsed away, exposing the textured aggregates beneath.
Our customers rave about the attractive, hardy, slip-resistant finish, and word is travelling fast. Exposed aggregate is growing in popularity— it would be difficult to find an Adelaide locale that isn’t home to numerous exposed aggregate driveways.
Exposed aggregate is favoured for its unique look, customisability and its virtually non-existent maintenance requirements. It is often said that, because of its inherent texture and colour variance, exposed aggregate is much better at hiding dirt and marks than other outdoor surfaces. The upside is that you can get away with hosing down your driveways and paths even less often!
If you prefer outdoor flooring that is incredibly smooth underfoot, exposed aggregate may not be your ideal choice. It is not uncomfortable to walk on by any means, but some homeowners prefer outdoor areas, like pool surrounds, to be completely flat, as they’re walked on barefoot.
One option, is to polish down the exposed aggregate for a completely even finish, as is done when installed indoors. It is simply sealed with a non-slip agent to create more traction. Conversely, many of our Adelaide customers appreciate the extra grip achieved with a more textured finish, particularly around pool areas.
Exposed aggregate does cost more than standard concrete to install, given the lengthier and more involved process required, and the use of specialised designer aggregates.
Call Adelaide’s finest name in exposed aggregate and traditional concrete installation
For a friendly discussion about which surface is right for your home and a free, comparative quote, call Vinnie at Adelaide City Concreting today. Adelaide’s finest concreting team have several decades of experience between them and, whatever finish you choose, they are certain to install your concrete to the most stringent quality standards.