Exposed aggregate and coloured concrete
Compare exposed aggregate, coloured and stencilled concrete for Albury driveways, paths and alfresco areas, with sourced price bands and what to ask.
Exposed aggregate concrete has its top layer washed off while the slab is still green, so the stones in the mix show on the surface. A September 2026 national guide puts it at $125 to $160 per sqm, against $80 to $135 per sqm for plain or reinforced concrete.
Albury Concreting does not lay concrete itself. Independent local concreters see your enquiry, inspect the site and give you their own quote.
Why do people choose a decorative finish?
Most people pick exposed aggregate or coloured concrete for one of these reasons:
- The house is new and the front is bare. A decorative driveway and path can be the biggest visible job after handover, for example on the new streets of Thurgoona and Baranduda.
- Marks show badly on plain grey. Oil drips, tyre scuffs and garden soil are less obvious on a stone or tinted surface.
- Grip. A washed aggregate surface has more texture than a steel-trowelled slab, which some owners want near a pool or on a sloping path.
- Matching an existing slab. When a paved alfresco area or path is extended, the new section needs to sit well beside the old one.
How do the finishes compare?
| Finish | How it is made | Published price guide | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exposed aggregate | Surface retarder or a timed wash removes the cement paste to reveal stones | $125 to $160 per sqm | Stone size and colour vary between suppliers; ask to see a sample panel |
| Coloured concrete | Oxide pigment is mixed through the concrete before it arrives | $110 to $120 per sqm | Colour can vary between truck loads; one pour or one batch keeps it even |
| Stencilled | A paper stencil and coloured surface layer create a pattern | $120 to $170 per sqm | Ask what sealer is used and how often it needs renewing |
| Plain or reinforced | Standard grey mix, broom or trowel finish | $80 to $135 per sqm | The base price the decorative options are measured against |
All four bands are from hipages’ concreting cost guide, last updated 9 September 2026. They are national figures, so check them against local quotes. Our cost guide for Albury concreting lists the other published ranges this site uses and what they leave out.
What does a concreter need to know first?
Decorative work leaves less room to fix mistakes on the day, so a good provider asks more questions before quoting:
- Which stone blend or colour you want, and whether you have seen it laid, not just in a brochure.
- The total area, so the supplier can batch enough of one mix and keep the colour consistent.
- How the concrete will reach the back of the block. Barrow runs past a finished house are slow, and a line pump changes the price.
- Where the joints will go, because decorative slabs still need control joints and they should line up with doors, corners and path edges.
- Whether you want the surface sealed, and which sealer.
- How the new slab meets the house, the garage and any existing concrete.
What happens on pour day?
- The base is prepared and compacted, formwork is set to falls, and reinforcement is placed off the ground.
- Concrete with the chosen stone or oxide arrives and is placed, screeded and floated.
- For exposed aggregate, a retarder may be sprayed on so the surface paste stays soft while the slab below sets.
- At the right time the surface is washed and brushed to show the stones. Too early pulls stones out; too late and the paste will not move.
- Joints are cut, the slab is cured, and a sealer is applied once the concrete has dried enough, if one is part of the job.
Timing is everything on step 4, which is why concreters plan around the weather. Heat and wind speed up setting; a cold morning slows it down.
Which rules apply?
The finish does not change the licensing. In NSW, stamped pattern concreting, exposed aggregate and stencilling are listed in the general concreting licence class, and a licence is needed for work valued above 5,000 dollars including GST. Decorative jobs often pass that figure sooner than plain ones, so check the licence before you sign. A written contract is required above the same amount.
If the decorative slab is a driveway, the crossing at the street still needs AlburyCity approval; the driveway page explains that step. On the Victorian side of the border, a provider should be registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission for jobs worth more than 10,000 dollars; the Wodonga page has more.
What will a careful provider not do?
- Promise an exact stone pattern or colour match with old concrete. Natural stone and cement vary.
- Wash the surface on a timetable regardless of how the slab is setting.
- Skip the sample or test panel on a large decorative job when you have asked for one.
- Seal the slab straight after the wash while it is still wet.
- Leave out control joints because they spoil the look.
Looking after it
Most decorative slabs are sealed to make cleaning easier and to deepen the colour. Ask your provider which product they use, how long until cars can drive on it, and when it should be resealed. If you are budgeting for a full outdoor area, the paths, patios and alfresco slabs page covers the areas around the house.
What to do next
Pick two or three finishes you like, note the approximate area, and take photos of the house and any concrete it has to meet. Then ask for a decorative concrete quote and mention the finish you are leaning towards.
Frequently asked questions
- Is exposed aggregate slippery when wet?
The exposed stones give more texture than a smooth trowelled finish, but a glossy sealer can reduce grip. If slip resistance matters, ask the provider about sealer choice and any anti-slip additive.
- Can I choose the stone colour?
Yes. Suppliers offer different stone blends and sizes. Look at a laid sample, preferably outdoors, because a small tile in a showroom can look quite different across a whole driveway.
- Does coloured concrete fade?
Oxide colour is mixed through the concrete, so it does not peel like paint, but surfaces can weather and dull over time. Sealing helps keep the colour even.
- Can new exposed aggregate match my old driveway?
An exact match is unlikely because stone and cement vary between batches and years. A provider can get close by using a similar blend, and a clean joint between old and new makes the change look intentional.
- Is stencilled concrete a good choice for a driveway?
It can be, but the pattern relies on a surface coat and sealer that wear under tyres. Ask how often it needs resealing and what that costs before choosing it over exposed aggregate.