Exposed Aggregate Concrete Gold Coast
- Licensed and insured professionals
- 20+ years of field experience
- Fast scheduling and clear communication
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Built for Looks, Built for Grip
You want the look of natural stone underfoot with the grip to match, whether that is a driveway that lifts the front of the house or a patio that feels good in bare feet. The catch is that a decorative surface is only ever as good as the slab and the seal beneath it, and a rushed job fades in the sun, holds water, or turns slippery within a season.
That is where
Elite Concrete Solutions makes the difference. We pour and finish exposed aggregate concrete on the Gold Coast in-house, from setting the base and placing the stone to washing it back at the right moment and sealing it for the climate, so the finish you choose on day one is the finish you still have years down the track.
Why Gold Coast Clients Choose Us for Exposed Aggregate
We plan each job around your finish, pour it once, and seal it to last, so everything runs smoothly from the first quote through to the final walkthrough.
Poured, Washed & Sealed In-House
One crew handles the excavation, the base, the pour, and the wash and seal itself. Because the decorative finish is planned into the slab from the start rather than handed to a separate sub, nothing gets lost between trades.
Locally Owned & Operated
We run ECS from our Mermaid Waters base and work right across the Gold Coast and into the northern NSW border suburbs. We read your site first: the soil, the fall, the access, so the slab is built for your block rather than a template.
20+ Years On The Tools
Scott has led the business since 2011, with more than 20 years of concreting behind him. That experience shows up in the details that decide whether a decorative slab lasts: falls, steel cover, exposure, and sealing.
Licensed, Insured & Compliant
We work as a licensed and insured concreting and excavation crew, with silica training, White Cards, and full public liability and workers' compensation cover. Safe work method statements and site planning go into every job before we break ground.
Sealed to Last
We finish with the right sealer for the Gold Coast climate, including non-slip options around pools and wet areas, so the surface holds its colour and its grip through summer storms and coastal sun.
Exposed Aggregate Concrete Tailored To Your Site
From our Mermaid Waters base, we pour, wash, and seal exposed aggregate finishes right across the Coast, planned around your site, your chosen aggregate, and the way you will use the surface.
Exposed Aggregate Concrete, Explained
Exposed aggregate is a decorative concrete finish where the top layer of cement paste is washed back while the slab is still curing, revealing the natural stone and pebble set through the mix. The result is a textured surface that looks like scattered stone but performs like solid concrete, hard-wearing, low maintenance, and naturally slip-resistant.
Compared with pavers, it gives you one continuous surface with no joints for weeds or ants to work into, and it often costs less than the natural stone it imitates.
Aggregate, Colour & Exposure Options
The look comes down to two choices: the stone and the wash. Soft coastal whites and quartz suit rendered, weatherboard, and coastal homes; warm honey and gold granite tones sit well against brick and earthy exteriors; charcoals and dark greys lift a modern build; and richer reds add warmth. Each blend can start from a plain grey or a coloured concrete base to shift the overall tone.
Exposure level is the second decision. A medium wash balances look and feel for most jobs, a lighter wash keeps pool areas comfortable underfoot, and a heavier wash gives driveways extra grip, laid on a strong base that holds the stone in place. We bring aggregate and colour samples to the quote so you can choose against your own house rather than a brochure.
Where Exposed Aggregate Works Best
We pour exposed aggregate for a range of surfaces around the home and the property.
Driveways
An exposed aggregate driveway brings kerb appeal and the grip to handle a sloped entry, with correct falls to the street and saw cuts placed to control where any shrinkage lands.
Patios & Alfresco Areas
An exposed aggregate patio gives you a good-looking, comfortable outdoor floor, set with falls that move water away from the house rather than back toward the threshold.
Pool Surrounds
Around the pool, we lay a lighter wash with a non-slip seal, so the surface stays safe underfoot in wet conditions and levels carry water clear of the waterline.
Paths & Courtyards
Continuous patterned paths tie the yard together with a consistent, non-slip surface that handles daily foot traffic without the movement you get from pavers.
Commercial & Entry Areas
For entries and outdoor commercial spaces, we pour higher-traffic decorative surfaces that stand up to constant use while still looking sharp.
Exposed Aggregate, Pebblecrete or Overlay? Knowing the Difference
These terms get muddled, so here is the plain version:
- Exposed aggregate is natural stone set through a fresh pour and then washed back to expose it, so the stone is part of the slab itself.
- Pebblecrete and similar coatings, sometimes sold as pebbletex or pebbletech, are applied over an existing surface.
- A decorative overlay is a thin layer laid on top of concrete that is already there.
What we do is pour and finish new exposed aggregate slabs from the ground up. If your job is an overlay or a coating over existing concrete, tell us at the quote, and we will point you in the right direction.
What's Included, From Base to Seal
Every job runs the full sequence:
- Site set-out and base preparation
- Reinforcement to spec
- The pour, then seeding or topping the chosen aggregate
- The timed surface wash that exposes the stone to your chosen level
- Joint cutting, curing, and concrete sealing to finish
Because excavation and concreting run in the one team, the base preparation and the pour line up without hand-offs, which keeps the levels honest and the job moving.
Exposed Aggregate Built for Gold Coast Conditions
The Gold Coast asks a lot of a decorative slab. Coastal suburbs near Mermaid Waters, Burleigh, and Southport sit on loose, sandy ground, while the hinterland acreage around Mudgeeraba and Worongary runs to reactive clay and sloping blocks, and both extend down into the northern NSW border towns. We read that ground first and build the base, the falls, and the seal to suit the block in front of us.
- Subtropical sun is hard on colour, so the stone choice and the seal decide how well the finish holds its look over the years.
- The wet season makes falls and drainage non-negotiable, so we set levels to move water clear of the house and the pool.
- Around pools and in shaded, damp spots, a lighter wash paired with a non-slip seal is the difference between a safe surface and a slippery one.
- Salt air near the beachfront suburbs makes the right sealer and a sensible resealing schedule worth planning from day one.
- Loose sandy coastal profiles and reactive clay on hinterland blocks call for different base preparation and joint spacing under a decorative slab.
As a newly arrived crew, we bring more than 20 years of concreting experience to these local conditions. That means we build exposed aggregate concrete on the Gold Coast to match your slope, your soil, and your street, rather than pouring the same slab everywhere.
Our Exposed Aggregate Process
Here is how we move from the first visit to a finished, sealed surface, with clear steps and tidy handovers along the way.
Free On-Site Quote & Consultation
We visit the site to check access, soil, drainage, and how you plan to use the surface. On site, we walk you through aggregate and colour options so the quote reflects the finish you actually want.
Quote & Booking
You get a clear, written quote covering scope, inclusions, timing, and cost in plain language. Once you are happy, a 10% deposit secures your place in the schedule.
Approvals & Service Locating
Where the job needs council forms, a crossover, or certifier coordination, we sort it. We also arrange Dial Before You Dig checks and locate underground services before anyone digs.
Site Prep & Base
We clear the area, cut out soft spots, and build a compacted base to spec. A solid, level base is where a lasting decorative slab starts.
Formwork & Reinforcement
We set the edges and falls, then fix mesh or bar to the correct height and cover. Any penetrations or set-downs are formed up before the pour.
Pour & Aggregate
We place the concrete at the correct slump and thickness, then seed or mix the chosen aggregate through the surface, ready to be exposed.
Wash & Expose
At the right moment, we wash the surface back to reveal the stone to your chosen exposure level, then cut control joints to guide where any movement lands.
Cure & Seal
We manage the cure so the slab reaches full strength, then seal it with a product matched to the finish, including non-slip options for wet areas.
Clean Up & Walkthrough
We remove spoil and waste, tidy the site, and walk you through the finished job with clear care notes on when you can use the surface.
The ECS Difference on the Gold Coast
Plenty of crews can pour a slab. When it comes to exposed aggregate on the Gold Coast, what sets our work apart is the planning behind the finish and the fact that one team owns the whole job from start to finish.
Tailored to Your Site
Aggregate, colour, exposure, fall, and base are all set for your block and how you use the space, never pulled from a template. That is what keeps the finish performing in real conditions instead of just looking good on paper.
One Crew, Both Trades
Excavation and concreting run in the one team, so the base preparation, the pour, and the wash all line up with no hand-offs. Aligning both trades keeps the job moving and the levels honest.
Sealed for the Climate
We match the sealer and the resealing plan to Gold Coast conditions: subtropical sun, the wet season, and wet zones around pools. That is how the colour and the grip hold up over time.
One Point of Contact
You deal with the same person for quotes, approvals, crews, and updates. One point of contact means answers come back quickly and nothing slips through a gap.
Issues Flagged Early
We call out drainage, soil, or access risks before the pour, not after. An early conversation means you can make an informed call and skip the rushed, costly fix later on.
Ready for an Exposed Aggregate Finish?
Book a free on-site quote for a clear plan and fixed scope. Choose your aggregate, colour, and finish, and we will lock in your dates. Call us or get in touch through our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does exposed aggregate concrete cost per square metre?
There is no single rate, because the price moves with the area, the aggregate you choose, the exposure level, the site access, and how much preparation or removal the block needs. A large, easy-access driveway works out very differently to a tight courtyard with a premium stone blend. The honest answer is that we price it after seeing the site, and the quote you get is itemised with no hidden extras.
Is exposed aggregate cheaper than pavers or natural stone?
Generally yes. It is poured as one continuous surface, so you avoid the ongoing weed growth and movement that come with paver joints, and it usually costs less than laying the natural stone it imitates. Final cost still depends on the area, the aggregate, and the site, so the best guide is a quote rather than a rough figure.
Is exposed aggregate slippery, especially around a pool?
It is one of the more slip-resistant finishes because the exposed stone gives the surface texture. Around pools, we lay a lighter wash so it stays comfortable underfoot, and we can add a non-slip sealer for extra grip in wet areas. Getting the fall right so water clears quickly matters just as much through the Gold Coast wet season.
Is exposed aggregate concrete outdated?
Not at all. Exposed aggregate on the Gold Coast has stayed popular precisely because the natural-stone look is timeless rather than trend-driven, and it performs well underfoot while asking very little in maintenance. With the right stone and colour matched to the house, it suits both modern coastal builds and established homes.
What stone and colour options can I choose?
You can choose from a range of stone blends and colour families, from soft coastal whites and quartz through to honey and gold tones, charcoals, and richer reds, on a grey or coloured base. We match the blend to your home's style and bring samples to the quote, so you are choosing against your actual house rather than guessing from a screen.
What is the difference between exposed aggregate and pebblecrete?
True exposed aggregate is natural stone set through a fresh concrete pour and then washed back to expose it, so the stone is part of the slab itself. Pebblecrete and similar coatings are products applied over an existing surface. We pour and finish new exposed aggregate slabs from the ground up, which is a different job to laying a coating over old concrete.
Does exposed aggregate need sealing, and how often?
Yes. A seal protects the surface against staining, weathering, and colour fade from the sun, and it enriches the look of the stone. How often you reseal depends on the sealer and how much traffic and sun the surface takes, and we give you clear guidance for your finish at handover.
How do I clean and maintain it?
Day to day, a rinse and a light wash is usually all it needs, and you should avoid harsh chemicals that can strip the seal. Beyond that, resealing on the recommended interval is the main task, and it is what keeps the colour and the grip looking their best in the local climate.
How long before I can walk or drive on it?
Light foot traffic is usually fine within a day or two, depending on the mix and the weather. Vehicles need to wait until the slab has properly cured, which takes around 28 days to reach full strength. We give you exact timings at handover so you know when the surface is ready to use.
Are you licensed and insured, and what areas do you service?
We work as a licensed and insured concreting and excavation crew, carrying public liability and workers' compensation cover, with silica training and current White Cards. We work across the Gold Coast from our Mermaid Waters base and into the northern NSW border suburbs. If you are not sure whether we reach you, get in touch, and we will let you know.