Choosing the right exposed aggregate for your home
Stone size, colour and finish depth — three small decisions that change everything about how a driveway reads from the street.
When clients ask about exposed aggregate, they usually start with colour. The truth is, the three decisions that matter most are stone size, blend ratio, and the depth of the wash.
Stone size sets the scale
A 7mm stone reads as fine, textured and almost uniform from a distance — perfect for tight modern facades. A 14mm stone has weight and shadow, ideal for longer driveways and acreage. Anything bigger and you're into landscape territory; the surface stops being a slab and starts being a ground plane.
Blend the mix to your home, not the showroom
We bring sample boards on the first visit and hold them against your home's brick, render and roof. Aggregate samples lie under fluorescent lighting; in Brisbane sun they read completely differently. Pick the blend outside, at the time of day you'll look at it most.
Wash depth is the unsung hero
A fine wash exposes just the top of each stone — quiet, architectural, easy on bare feet. A deep wash shows the full shoulder of every stone — punchy, slip-resistant, but louder. We usually pour a small sample panel on site so you can stand on it before we commit to the full slab.