Exposed aggregate is concrete with the top layer of cement paste washed away so the rounded stone underneath shows through. The result is a pebbled, natural-looking surface with real grip under your feet, which is why it has been a favorite for Michigan patios, driveways, walkways and pool decks for decades. It hides dirt and tire marks better than plain gray concrete, and it costs less than most stamped designs.
Rock Solid Exteriors is a family-owned, locally owned and operated contractor based in Clinton Township, in business since 1997. We pour exposed aggregate, stamped and broom-finish concrete throughout Macomb, Oakland and Lapeer County. Call (844) 757-6543 or schedule a free in-home concrete estimate.
How Exposed Aggregate Is Made
Every exposed aggregate surface is ordinary structural concrete with a finishing step on top. The difference between a good job and a blotchy one comes down to the stone, the timing and the wash.
Mix-in aggregate
The decorative stone, usually a rounded pea gravel or river rock, is part of the concrete mix delivered by the truck. After the slab is placed and leveled, the surface paste is removed to reveal the stone. This is the most common method on driveways and large patios because the stone is spread evenly through the whole slab.
Seeded aggregate
Stone is broadcast by hand across the fresh surface and pressed in. Seeding lets you use a more decorative stone without paying for it through the full depth of the slab, and it can give a denser, more uniform stone look.
Revealing the stone
Once the concrete has set enough to hold the stone but the surface paste is still soft, the top layer is washed and brushed off. A surface retarder sprayed on after finishing is often used to slow the set of that top layer only, which gives the crew a wider, more controlled window to expose the stone evenly. Wash too early and stones pop loose; wash too late and the paste will not come off. That timing is the craft.
Where Exposed Aggregate Makes Sense
- Driveways and aprons. The texture gives tires and boots grip on sloped drives, and the stone camouflages oil drips and wear. See concrete driveway replacement.
- Patios. A natural, low-glare surface that stays cooler looking than bright white concrete. See concrete patios.
- Front walks and steps. Better footing than a smooth finish in rain and light snow. See sidewalks and walkways.
- Pool decks. Slip resistance matters around water. See concrete pool decks.
One trade-off to know up front: the texture is bumpy by design. If you want a smooth surface for bare feet, rolling chairs or a basketball court, a broom finish or stamped seamless texture is the better choice. Many homeowners combine them, for example an exposed aggregate driveway with a broom-finish border, or a stamped patio framed by an exposed aggregate band.
Exposed Aggregate vs. Broom Finish vs. Stamped
| Broom finish | Exposed aggregate | Stamped | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Plain gray, lightly textured | Natural pebble and stone | Stone, slate, brick or wood pattern |
| Traction | Good | Very good | Varies with pattern and sealer |
| Hides stains and wear | Least | Most | Moderate |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Middle | Highest |
| Upkeep | Occasional sealing | Periodic sealing | Periodic sealing |
For a closer look at patterns and colors, see stamped concrete, or compare every finish on our concrete types page. If you are weighing individual pavers instead of a poured slab, see pavers.
What Affects the Cost of Exposed Aggregate
A 2026 Michigan cost guide puts a standard broom-finish patio at about $12 to $18 per square foot installed, with exposed aggregate adding roughly $2 to $5 per square foot on top of that, and removal of an old slab adding about $1 to $3 per square foot. These are typical published ranges, not a Rock Solid quote. On your project, the price moves with:
- Square footage. Setup and crew time are similar on a small walk and a mid-size patio, so small jobs cost more per square foot.
- Tear-out. Breaking up and hauling away an old driveway, patio or walk.
- Base work. Excavation, new compacted gravel and grading so water runs away from the house. Heavy clay soil common in Macomb County can call for more of it.
- Stone choice. Standard pea gravel mixes cost less than seeded decorative stone.
- Slab thickness and reinforcement. Driveways carry more weight than patios and are usually built heavier.
- Borders and combinations with broom or stamped bands, steps and curves.
- Access. Whether the truck can reach the pour or concrete has to be moved by wheelbarrow or pump.
0% financing for 60 months is available on approved credit, and veterans receive a 10% discount. See financing.
Our Exposed Aggregate Process
- Free in-home estimate. We measure, check drainage and slopes, talk through stone and border options, and give you a written scope of work.
- Permits and utilities. Our crews pull city permits where required, and utilities are marked through MISS DIG before any digging starts.
- Tear-out and base. Old concrete is removed, the subgrade is shaped, and a compacted aggregate base is installed and graded for drainage.
- Forms and reinforcement. Forms are set to the final shape and reinforcement is placed per the project scope.
- Pour and expose. The concrete is placed and finished, then the surface paste is washed off at the right moment to reveal the stone evenly.
- Joints and cleanup. Control joints are cut to guide cracking into straight, planned lines, and the haze is cleaned from the stone.
- Walkthrough. We go over cure times, when to drive or put furniture on it, and when to seal.
Caring for Exposed Aggregate Through a Michigan Winter
- Seal it. A penetrating or film-forming sealer deepens the stone color and slows water and salt from getting into the concrete. Resealing every few years, depending on traffic and sun, keeps it looking fresh.
- Hold off on salt the first winter, and avoid deicers containing ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate at any time. Sand gives traction without the damage.
- Use a plastic shovel blade. Metal edges can knock loose stones on the surface.
- Keep downspouts pointed away from the slab edge so water does not undermine the base.
- Rinse off leaves and debris in fall; wet organic matter can stain the surface.
Exposed Aggregate FAQ
Is exposed aggregate slippery?
It is one of the most slip-resistant decorative finishes because the stones create texture. A glossy sealer can reduce grip a little when wet, so on pool decks and steps a matte sealer or a slip-resistant additive is worth asking about.
Is exposed aggregate hard on bare feet?
The stones are rounded, so it is walkable barefoot, but it is not smooth. A finer stone size gives a gentler surface for pool decks.
Do stones come loose over time?
A few loose stones can show up on the surface, usually in the first season or where a metal shovel or plow blade scrapes it. Proper exposure timing and sealing keep this to a minimum.
Can you add exposed aggregate to my existing driveway?
No. Exposed aggregate has to be created while the concrete is fresh. Getting the look on an existing slab means removing and replacing it. We can tell you at the estimate whether full replacement makes sense for your driveway.
How long does exposed aggregate last?
The finish lasts as long as the concrete underneath, and that depends mostly on the base, drainage and how it is treated in winter. The stone surface itself wears very slowly.
Is exposed aggregate cheaper than stamped concrete?
Usually, yes. Published Michigan guides price the exposed aggregate upcharge well below the stamped upcharge, and there is no pattern or color work. We can price both for your space so you can compare.
How soon can I drive on a new exposed aggregate driveway?
Foot traffic comes first, vehicles later, and the exact wait depends on the mix and the weather. We will give you specific timing for your pour.
Serving Macomb, Oakland and Lapeer County
We pour exposed aggregate patios, driveways and walks across Southeast Michigan, from Rochester Hills and Troy in Oakland County to the lakeshore communities of Macomb County, including Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Warren, St. Clair Shores, Chesterfield, Roseville, Mount Clemens, Troy, Rochester Hills and Lapeer. Our office is in Clinton Township, a short drive from most of these communities.
Get a Free Exposed Aggregate Estimate
Call (844) 757-6543 or request your free concrete estimate online. Office hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM, closed Sunday. Michigan Residential Builder License 2102205396.
Rock Solid Exteriors, 42452 Hayes Rd #2a, Clinton Township, MI 48038.