Downsides to exposed aggregate vs broom finish concrete?
Kiwigem
9 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (14)
GreenDesigns
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Hardscape question - stamped or exposed concrete
Comments (11)We went with stamped concrete in both the front (walkway) and back of our house (patio). The results were striking and, aesthetically, far superior to a basic gray concrete slab. It was one of the best choices we made when building our house. Since you can choose the color, it can really pull the presentation of the house together in a way that simple concrete cannot. In our case, we coordinated it with the color of both the house and the rockery. You can not only choose a base color, but an accent color as well. In addition, it provides visual interest not only through color and pattern, but in texture as well. It is critical that you find a subcontractor who is excellent at doing this work, however. If that is not available, it would be better for you to go with a concrete slab, since stamped concrete is pricy. It is really important to do your homework and to see as many actual samples of the personÂs work as possible. Be aware that different color combinations are priced differently. For example, red colors are much more expensive than those closer to grey. It snows here quite a bit, and I have not had any trouble shoveling our stamped concrete but there are a couple of things to consider. First, you cannot use an ice spade or a metal shovel on it (we have always used plastic anyway, so not an issue). Second, you cannot use salt on it to melt the ice. We use kitty litter instead, which works ok but not as well as salt. In terms of being in or out of vogue, you should do a bit of reading in the Kitchen forum, where avocado appliances are actually discussed and where the kitchen obsessed are seriously concerned about such things. Comments are made all the time about how granite countertops or stainless steel appliances or cherry cabinets will be the next avocado appliance. I have all three and laugh when I read such things. The consensus response to such worries really gets to the heart of the issue: go with what you like or enjoy. What matters is not how cool your neighbors or your friends or your family thinks your house is, because they do not live there. What matters is that you get to live in a house surrounded by things you love. If you make choices based on what "they" think, you will end up living in "their" house... not your own....See MoreDecorative Concrete
Comments (1)Maybe you missed the rules when you signed up:...See Moreexposed aggregate concrete question
Comments (3)I had a customer 25+ years ago who had this around their pool. This is just my opinion, but I thought it looked tacky and cheap. The job looked uniform, but just not for me. From the practical stand point, it was very hard on the knees when kneeling on the patio. Although I did not ever walk on it barefoot, I suspect it was rough on the feet. Especially after a full day in the water when your soles are soft and you make contact with the rough deck. Concrete is the least expensive of all patios. You could paint the concrete with a specific deck coating. You would however have to wait at least 28 days for the concrete to fully cure prior to applying any coating. You may have to re-coat every 2-3 years also. The coatings are no-skid and look nice with various color choices. Although I'm not a big fan, stamped concrete is an alternative. Think of the future if you ever plan to sell your home with a 70's patio. Re-sale value is a consideration....See MoreExposed Aggregate vs Bluestone...
Comments (14)We have old brick (paving brick from old streets) on our terrace in back. We laid them over gravel, in sand due to cost and fear of cracking/heaving. They have heaved some due to tree roots, but they're pretty easy to put back in place - a bit of root pruning and back they go. Downside? It's on the west side of the house so sun is only in the late afternoon due to a large oak tree at the edge of the terrace (the source of those roots). All the shade, plus the humidity of a KY summer, cause algae/moss to form on the bricks. Over the years, we've tried innumerable ways to get rid of it, but the only thing that works is for us (in the past) and now my yardman to get down on his hands and knees, with many gallons of bleach and a hose, and a good scrub brush and scrub them clean. It lasts about a year, but is hard work. We could probably use a powerful chemical, but we feared for the landscaping and DH was not comfortable using it - I absolutely would never allow my yard man to do so. I don't know how bluestone or flagstone is where algae/moss is concerned. But a poured concrete aggregate would probably not have that problem....See Morerobo (z6a)
9 years agoKiwigem
9 years agosbdesign
9 years agoamberm145_gw
9 years agoKiwigem
9 years agoBrian_Knight
9 years agoluckymommy1
9 years agorenovator8
9 years agoKiwigem
9 years agorobin0919
9 years agoJenny Douglas
6 years agoSam Edminster
10 months ago
Related Stories
REMODELING GUIDESObjects of Desire: Beautifully Individual Concrete Floors
Concrete comes in more colors and finishes than ever before. See if these 6 floors open your eyes to the possibilities
Full StoryCONCRETEWhy Concrete Wants to Crack
We look at the reasons concrete has a tendency to crack — and what you can do to help control it
Full StoryPATIOSLandscape Paving 101: Cast-in-Place Concrete
A construction standard, cast-in-place concrete can be used for a wide variety of project types
Full StoryFLOORSKnow Your Flooring: Concrete
Concrete floors have a raw and elegant beauty that can be surprisingly warm
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESConcrete Driveways: Poring Over the Pros and Cons
Concrete adds smooth polish to driveways and a sleek look to home exteriors, but here are the points to ponder before you re-surface
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNOutdoor Style: Creative Ways With Classic Concrete
Have you cast concrete aside as being too dull or crack-prone? Learn about new design options along with the basics of using it outside
Full StoryCONCRETEConcrete Block Style
Industrial flair: See why concrete brick isn't just for retaining walls anymore
Full StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSHow to Tear Down That Concrete Patio
Clear the path for plantings or a more modern patio design by demolishing all or part of the concrete in your yard
Full StoryKITCHEN COUNTERTOPSKitchen Counters: Concrete, the Nearly Indestructible Option
Infinitely customizable and with an amazingly long life span, concrete countertops are an excellent option for any kitchen
Full StoryKITCHEN COUNTERTOPSElephants of the Kitchen? What to Know About Concrete Counters
Concrete countertops are beautiful, heavy and cool — and have their own peculiarities. And a lot in common with certain gray pachyderms
Full Story
virgilcarter