Aggregate or coloured concrete? Choosing a finish

Exposed aggregate concrete is one of the options you can choose for your renovation needs. Concrete isn’t a “one type fits all” material. Some customers ask for a smooth grey type. Others go slightly outside the box. Here’s a list of finishes that might help you decide what’s best for you.

Exposed aggregate

Concrete is a mix of cement and aggregate. These are larger stones that make up the bulk of the mix. Older concrete pathways and plenty of driveways have this type of finish. The look is accomplished by blasting away part of the surface cement so that the larger stones are revealed underneath.

Coloured

Sometimes grey is, well, grey. Concrete is a part of the home, whether it’s a pathway leading to the front door or a slab that makes up the kitchen floor. You have the option to colour the concrete the same way you’d choose the colour for the walls.

Popular colour schemes include warm tones like reds and oranges on the outside. In comparison, interior coloured concrete is softer. Tones include greys, whites and even light blues. Ask your contractor what colours are available.

Stamped

This type of finish mimics the effect of pavers. The concrete is poured and a pattern stamp is placed on the surface before it fully dries. Common patterns make the concrete look like tiles and there’s even some that give a “wood” appearance.

Polished

This is ideal for interior concrete. Exposed aggregate is a surface that customers choose to polish most often. Nobody wants to cut their feet on small, sharp stones.

Warehouse interiors that were renovated to make living space have existing concrete floors already, but these are rarely polished. Contractors are brought in to clean up the floors, polish them and add a coat of sealant. Concrete is a porous material and stains easily, so this step is necessary to prevent cosmetic messes.