Reasons to Spread Exposed Aggregate Around Your Yard

Certain areas around a yard need hard and stable surfaces. Consider driveways, pool decks, patios, and paths. While you can use various materials, one option is exposed aggregate. Here are several reasons to go with this surface. 

Durable

Exposed aggregate combines concrete with aggregates such as pebbles and stones. On its own, concrete is exceptionally durable, which is why you see it featured in massive constructions such as bridges and roads. The rocks and stones within exposed aggregate make these surfaces tougher still. Due to its robustness, you can install this surface anywhere around your home, including driveways.

Decorative

With aggregate concrete, you don't have to settle for a dull grey exterior. Pebbles and crushed stones come in different tones such as reds, blues, yellows, golds, and various other shades. Thus you can cover your drive, for example, in a colourful mixture of hues or else stick with monotone shades. In this way, you can make the paving as vivid or subtle as you like, and you can harmonise it with your home's cladding, other hardscape features, and the natural landscape.

Natural Ambience

While exposed aggregate adds colour and interest to surfaces around the home, it does this with a natural touch. Of course, this makes sense considering stones are organic elements .— even when they're relatively colourful, they still have a muted earthy character. Thus reddish rocks aren't a vivid primary red but have hints of terracotta and burnt orange, for instance. Exposed aggregate surfaces look more earthy and organic than grey concrete, which tends to give off an industrial air. 

Versatile

Exposed aggregate is versatile in that you can create many different looks, including combining it with smooth sections of concrete and other substances. For example, you could create a classic pool deck using pinkish and ivory stones that are reminiscent of travertine. Edging the pool, you could lay square concrete tiles, similarly toned. The contrast between the pebbles and smooth square-tiled sections adds visual contrast. 

Alternatively, you could lay large rectangular stepping-stone slabs of exposed aggregate full of manly light cream and fawn pebbles, then fill in the areas between the slabs with loose dark grey gravel. This will generate a bushy vibe. 

Exposed aggregate is thus an ideal surface for around the home. Extremely durable, it provides the opportunity to add colourful and natural stones and pebbles to the landscape. Your customisation options are virtually limitless.