About this project
This Chesterfield project on Mockingbird included a rear patio and a front porch landing, both in exposed aggregate with a dark charcoal border. The house is a newer two-story with blue-gray siding, white trim and a stone-look base across the front. We completed the work in August 2026.
At the back, a wide patio stretches across the rear wall, with a set of steps rising to the sliding door and each step edged in charcoal. The patio sits on a thick slab with its edge showing above the soil. At the front, a curved landing meets the driveway and climbs two steps to the porch, with the same dark band tracing the curve and each step nose.
What we did
- Poured an exposed aggregate patio across the back of the house
- Built three-sided steps from the patio up to the sliding door
- Poured a curved front landing and two steps up to the porch
- Finished the borders and step noses in a dark charcoal color
Why the step edges are a different color
On a set of steps, the hardest thing for the eye to judge is where one tread ends and the next drop begins. A contrasting band along each nose makes that edge easy to see, in daylight and at dusk. On this house the charcoal edge on every step stands out against the lighter aggregate, which makes both the front and back steps easier to use.
The color also ties the front and back together, since both slabs use the same border. Exposed aggregate suits steps because the stones give better grip than a smooth finish. Done right, each riser is the same height and each tread the same depth, so the stairs feel natural to walk.
Questions homeowners ask about exposed aggregate
Is exposed aggregate harder to keep clean?
Not really. The textured surface hides dirt better than plain concrete, and a hose or a pressure washer on a low setting handles most cleaning. Resealing from time to time helps keep the stones bright and makes spills easier to wipe up.
Can a patio be added to a newer home?
Yes. Newer homes often come with only a basic stoop or no patio at all. Backfill next to a newer foundation can still be soft, so the base under the slab deserves extra attention, along with the grade away from the house and the height of the door.
Do you work in Chesterfield?
Yes. We have completed more than 20 jobs in Chesterfield, including 8 concrete jobs. Our Chesterfield concrete page has more examples like this one on Mockingbird.
More photos from this job
See more of our concrete work and exposed aggregate concrete, or call (844) 757-6543 for a free estimate.
