Stone You Can Walk On Barefoot
Exposed aggregate is concrete with its top layer washed away to reveal the stone inside — pea gravel, river rock, or crushed decorative stone, locked in the slab and polished by the wash. The result looks like a natural stone surface but costs far less than pavers or flagstone, and it never shifts or settles the way individual stones do.
It is also one of the most practical decorative finishes for Maryland. The textured stone surface grips shoes and tires in rain, which makes it a favorite for sloped driveways, pool decks, and shaded patios that stay damp. And because the color comes from real stone, not surface dye, it does not fade in the sun.
How It Is Made
Timing is everything with exposed aggregate. The crew pours the slab — same 4,000 PSI air-entrained concrete on a compacted stone base as any quality job — then applies a surface retarder that slows the curing of just the top skin. Hours later, at exactly the right moment, they wash and brush the surface to remove that top layer of cement paste and reveal the stone beneath. Too early and stones wash out; too late and they stay buried. This is a finish that rewards an experienced crew.
You choose the stone. Local pea gravel gives a classic warm look. River rock reads more upscale. Crushed granite or quartz adds sparkle. We show you real samples during the estimate because the stone you pick sets the whole character of the finished surface.
Where It Fits
- Driveways with slope. The strongest traction of any decorative finish — tires grip in rain and light snow.
- Pool decks and patios. Cool underfoot, grippy when wet, and the stone texture hides the wear that pool chemicals cause.
- Walkways and entries. A decorative front walk in exposed aggregate pairs beautifully with a plainer driveway.
- Accent bands and borders. An exposed aggregate border around a broom-finish patio or driveway adds custom detail without the cost of a full decorative pour.
Care and Sealing
Exposed aggregate needs concrete sealing like any decorative concrete — a penetrating or film-forming sealer keeps water and de-icing salt out of the surface and deepens the stone color. Reseal every 2 to 3 years. Skip the salt in winter if you can; sand gives traction without attacking the surface. A leaf blower and an occasional pressure wash (fan tip, not a pinpoint jet) keep it looking sharp.
Design Tricks: Borders, Bands, and Saw Cuts
Exposed aggregate looks even better with a little design. A common upgrade is an exposed aggregate border around a broom-finish field — the contrast frames the patio or driveway like a picture frame, and it costs far less than doing the whole surface decorative. Saw-cut control joints can be laid out in a diamond or grid pattern that reads as intentional design rather than just crack control. And on large patios, alternating bands of two different stones create zones — dining here, lounge there — without a single wall or planter. These are small choices on pour day that make the finished concrete look designed instead of default.
What It Costs
Exposed aggregate typically costs more than plain broom finish but less than stamped concrete, since the stone and the wash step add labor and material. Most exposed aggregate patios fall between $7,000 and $16,000 and driveways between $4,500 and $10,000 depending on size, stone selection, and site conditions — your written quote after our visit is the real number.
See the Stone Options
Fill out our contact form and we'll bring aggregate samples to your estimate so you can compare stones side by side and pick the look for your home.