Exposed aggregate in concrete - Laying aggregate in wet concrete

Mauricec · Post: # 69836Post **Mauricec** Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:24 am

I like the idea of exposed aggregate in concrete but actually exposing the aggregate sounds like a difficult job, knowing just when to start, when the concrete is sufficiently set or else using a retarder. Why isn't it possible to apply the aggregate in a similar way that it is applied to vertical render for pebble dashing.

Post: # 69837Post **seanandruby** Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:32 am

It is ...try the index under exposed aggregate

Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:57 am

because people don't walk on pebbledashed walls Maurice
the aggregate in paths must be locked into the path
LLL

dig dug dan · Post: # 69855Post **dig dug dan** Sun Oct 30, 2011 7:09 pm

Hi have done this once for a customer. the husband wanted concrete, the wife gravel, so we did best of both.laid concrete and "pressed" in 20mm gravel as we went
It worked ok, but as LLL says, the gravel needs to stick in, and it didn't really wear that well.
this was only about 15sqm so nothing major

ilovesettsonmondays · Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:01 pm

they do a bit of it in the channel isles . alderney gravel paths . looks good when finished .cant find any pics on google of it .

Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:33 pm

what i have heard of is laying the concrete,say 120mm thick,then scattering deco aggregate in the surface
retamp the concrete and trowel up
then wash away the surface fines leaving your nice aggregate exposed
I have wanted to try this for ages but never seem to find the time
LLL

mickavalon · Post: # 69873Post **mickavalon** Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:17 am

There's a whole load of sturr in the site, but Lafarge also sell direct loads of pre mixed with a retarder, give them a call, see where they are in relation to you.

WilliamEthen · Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:04 pm

Exposed aggregate concrete is a decorative style of concrete suitable for driveways paths and patios. The top layer of the newly poured concrete is removed to reveal the stones near the surface giving a lovely natural finish.

DNgroundworks · Mon Oct 31, 2011 2:35 pm

WilliamEthen wrote:Exposed aggregate concrete is a decorative style of concrete suitable for driveways paths and patios. The top layer of the newly poured concrete is removed to reveal the stones near the surface giving a lovely natural finish.

Ye....we know lol

Post: # 69883Post **seanandruby** Mon Oct 31, 2011 4:09 pm

Trouble is wilf, we have all done these tasks, so we know what to expect,, when to pour concrete, when to add retard, or brush / jet wash it. But trying to explain to a DIYer is the hard part. Apart from us giving advice, there is a wealth of information on the main index ( just needs accessing ) so it goes to show that .....everybody needs to be hands on to gain the knowledge :;):

Pablo · Post: # 69905Post **Pablo** Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:10 pm

I prefer to use a surface retarder I don't like scattering the stone on afterwards the finish is never as good and you see the standard aggregate mixed in with the nice stuff.

Mon Oct 31, 2011 11:37 pm

have you actually done it pablo?
1 on my builder's bucket list along with an eyebrow window and a well
LLL ???

local patios and driveway · Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:43 am

Gone to google "eyebrow window".

DNgroundworks · Tue Nov 01, 2011 5:55 pm

Ye id like to do a well, just like fred dibnah did, what a guy. I used to live in a house that had an old brick well.......the farmer backfilled it

Pablo · Post: # 69939Post **Pablo** Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:14 pm

lutonlagerlout wrote:have you actually done it pablo?
1 on my builder's bucket list along with an eyebrow window and a well
LLL ???

yes I've done a few myself and worked on a couple of large ones before I went on my own. It's easy enough if you know anything about concrete. The local council loves them but specifies standard concrete with a scattering. I've not been happy with the ones I've done for them but they look better than the rest so I'm happy that it's not entirely a workmanship problem.

Edited By Pablo on 1320178533