Exposed aggregate concrete delivers the look of natural stone with the strength and low maintenance of a poured slab. Regina Concrete washes the surface to reveal embedded stones, creating a patio that grips wet feet, hides weathering, and needs less frequent sealing than decorative alternatives. Start with a free site estimate.
How Exposed Aggregate Patios Perform in Local Conditions
Exposed aggregate sits at the intersection of durability and visual appeal. The concrete slab is poured on a compacted base with air-entrained mix to handle freeze-thaw cycles, then the surface is washed back to expose the stones embedded within. The result is a patio that looks like natural stone but performs like concrete.
The texture provides genuine traction in wet conditions, a key advantage for Regina backyards where rain, pool splash, and morning dew are common. Unlike stamped patio patterns that can trap water, the exposed stone surface sheds moisture naturally.
Maintenance falls between plain concrete and stamped options. The stone texture masks surface wear and dirt, so the patio looks fresh longer. Sealing every three to four years protects the matrix and keeps the aggregate colour vibrant.
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The sequence
Pouring an Exposed Aggregate Patio Step by Step
Select stone size and colour
Aggregate options range from fine pea gravel for subtle texture to larger stones for bold visual impact. We show samples in daylight so you see how colour and tone read in your yard.
Prepare base and set forms
The area is excavated, a granular base is compacted, and wooden or metal forms are set to slope the patio for drainage away from the house.
Place and finish concrete
Air-entrained concrete is poured, screeded level, and allowed to set to the right stage so the surface paste washes away cleanly without dislodging the stones.
Wash and cure the surface
The surface is carefully washed to expose the aggregate to the desired depth, then sealed once fully cured to lock in colour and protect the stone from water infiltration.
Making the choice
Exposed Aggregate Versus Other Patio Finishes
Exposed aggregate occupies a practical middle ground. It costs less than stamped concrete because no stamp tooling or specialized finishing labour is required. It offers more visual interest than plain concrete while demanding less maintenance than stamped options.
If an existing patio is sound but tired, patio resurfacing can refresh it with a new finish. Exposed aggregate also integrates seamlessly with other yard elements like walkways, pool decks, and driveways.
Grip, durability, sealing schedules and how exposed aggregate compares to other finishes.
No, the opposite. The stone texture gives traction wet, which is why it is popular for patios that get pool splash, rain or morning dew. Much grippier than a smooth or even broom-finish patio.
Typically every three to four years in Regina, slightly less often than stamped patios but more often than plain concrete. The seal protects the spaces between the stones from water getting in.
Not when the patio is poured and sealed properly. The aggregate is embedded in the concrete matrix, not laid on top, so the stones are mechanically locked in. Sealing protects the matrix from freeze-thaw working stones loose.
Yes. The base concrete can be integrally coloured under the exposed surface, and the aggregate choice shifts the tone too. We bring sample boards so you can see combinations in daylight before the pour.
Exposed aggregate usually costs less than stamped concrete because the stamp tooling and labour are not part of the job. The trade-off is a different decorative style, texture from stone rather than pattern from a stamp.
Homeowner reviews
What Regina Homeowners Say About Their Exposed Aggregate Patios
