Industries and commercial buildings bear typically utilitarian designs. However, your home should not look just as plain as an office. Today’s home architecture has inculcated a lot of decorative concreting into the walling and flooring pattern. Decorative concrete is the use of concrete, not only as a utilitarian medium, but, likewise, to meet aesthetic ends. The present home architectural designs, increasingly, leans away from mere homely structures to something more fanciful. Therefore, when next you need to renovate or remodel your home, you have an opportunity to upgrade your home into something more modern and visually impressive. While other decorative concrete forms may serve, exposed aggregate is certainly the cheapest form of decorative concrete that best guarantees that your home does not only look fabulous but even its utilitarian characteristics are better enhanced. Limestone, Decorative stone, Pea stone, Quartzite, Gravel, Crushed glass, etc., are common aggregates used for exposed aggregate. Exposed aggregate is achieved by removing the top layer of cement-paste in order to reveal the concrete mix aggregate. This can be used for your driveway, sidewalks, patios, steps, entryways, and pool decks. Adopting same exposed aggregate mix for all your home pathways can help achieve a complete customization and uniform aesthetics. Points highlighted below is why you should choose exposed aggregate.
- Design Appeal
Aesthetics is the most noticeable feature of Exposed aggregate. This form of decorative concrete is uniquely pleasing to the eyes. The materials in the concrete are exposed and visible through the surface. It is a fully customizable decorative concrete that used different size, shape and colour of stones, shells, glass, quartzite, porcelain chips, marble, etc. to effect exterior decoration. The result is, usually, spectacular
- Traction and Slip-Resistant
Another significant advantage of exposed aggregate concrete is traction. Typically, the surface texture of exposed aggregate concrete causes for extra traction, thereby reducing slip risk. It is the most ideal concrete for driveways since it provides extra traction for vehicles too. In slippery, wet and snowy conditions, you can walk or drive, more confidently, on expose aggregate pathways. Its traction potentials make it a better alternative than traditional concrete.
- Durability
This type of concrete is extra tough and can last even beyond 40 years. This is because, in its formation, it has a lower concrete to water ratio when compared with standard traditional concrete. This makes it stronger and more durable and therefore can better handle harsh weathering elements and vehicular cum foot traffic.
- Eco-Friendliness
Exposed aggregate concrete is forged from environmental waste and recycled materials like crushed glasses, waste plastics and slag. Also, this concrete can likewise be repurposed for asphalt roadway usage and other projects. In addition, its longevity forestalls a need for quick replacement that often necessitates waste disposal and debris excavation.
- Low Maintenance Need
Conventionally, the surface of exposed aggregate is coated with sealant to protect the substrate from stains and damages. Consequently, dust and stains can easily be washed off it surface. For maintenance, every 3–4 years, you basically need to call your concreter to check the condition of the sealer and add new sealant.
- Cost-Effective
Usually, Exposed aggregate is relatively quicker and easier to install, requiring fewer material than most other forms of decorative concrete. Hence, costing quote are normally lesser than other forms of decorative concrete.