# Exposed Aggregate Concrete Toronto | Best Concrete

> Seeded, washed and custom-stone exposed aggregate concrete in Toronto from $10 to $18 per sq ft. Non-slip decorative finishes and a 2-year workmanship warranty.

URL: https://bestconcretetoronto.ca/exposed-aggregate-concrete/

![Exposed aggregate concrete driveway with a visible river-stone surface at a GTA home](/images/hero/exposed-aggregate-concrete-driveway-with-visible-r.webp)

# Exposed Aggregate Concrete Driveways & Patios in the GTA

Last updated: August 28, 2026

Seeded aggregate, washed aggregate and custom-stone decorative finishes.

-   verified 2-Year Workmanship Warranty
-   shield WSIB + $2M Liability
-   schedule 2-Hour Quote Window
-   star 4.9 Google Rating

Published pricing $10 - $18 per sq ft

request\_quote Get a Free Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

call (647) 800-3688

[tel:+16478003688 →](tel:+16478003688)

 

View Pricing

[#pricing →](#pricing)

-   star 4.9 Star Google Rating
-   receipt\_long Published Pricing
-   verified 2-Year Workmanship Warranty
-   shield WSIB + $2M Liability
-   schedule 2-Hour Response Window
-   support\_agent 24/7 Phone

![Worker washing surface retarder off fresh concrete to reveal the aggregate beneath](/images/misc/worker-washing-surface-retarder-off-fresh-concrete.webp)

Worker washing surface retarder off fresh concrete to reveal the aggregate beneath

## What Is Exposed Aggregate Concrete?

Exposed aggregate is concrete with its top layer of cement paste removed, revealing the stone underneath. The result is a natural, textured surface that looks quarried rather than poured, and grips better underfoot than any other decorative concrete finish.

The technique is simple in principle and precise in practice. After the slab is placed and floated, we spray a chemical surface retarder that stops the top few millimetres of paste from hardening while the concrete below sets normally. The following day, a controlled pressure wash removes that softened paste and reveals the aggregate. How long we wash and at what pressure determines the expose depth: micro, light or medium.

There are two routes to the finish. **Washed aggregate** reveals whatever stone is already in the mix, which means you get what the plant supplies. **Seeded aggregate** broadcasts your chosen decorative stone onto the fresh surface and floats it in, which gives complete control over colour and stone size. Seeded costs more and looks considerably better when a specific look matters.

Finally, sealing. Exposed aggregate must be sealed, and the product matters more here than on plain concrete because the sealer sits directly on the stone. A non-yellowing acrylic keeps the colours true. Cheap sealers turn amber under Toronto UV within two seasons and there is no easy way back.

### What’s Included

-   Stone selection with physical sample boards
-   Excavation, compacted granular base and reinforcement
-   Air-entrained concrete placement
-   Decorative stone seeded and floated in, where specified
-   Chemical surface retarder application
-   Controlled pressure wash to the agreed expose depth
-   Efflorescence wash before sealing
-   Non-yellowing acrylic sealer
-   Saw-cut control joints and tooled edges

## Common Problems We Solve

### Slippery Driveways and Walkways

A smooth trowelled or lightly broomed slab on a slope becomes genuinely hazardous when wet or frosted. Exposed aggregate is the most effective answer, because the mechanical texture works regardless of how much water is on the surface.

### Staining on Plain Concrete

Oil drips, leaf tannins and de-icing residue show badly on flat grey concrete. The variegated tone of exposed aggregate hides all of it, which is why it wears so well visually on driveways over a decade.

### Surface Wear on High-Traffic Areas

Cement paste is softer than aggregate. On a plain slab, the paste wears first and the surface degrades. On exposed aggregate, the stone is already the wearing surface, so it holds up better under traffic and shovelling alike.

### Yellowed Sealer From a Previous Contractor

A common call. Where the aggregate itself is sound, the old sealer can be stripped, the surface cleaned and washed of efflorescence, and a non-yellowing product applied. The stone colour comes straight back.

## How Much Does Exposed Aggregate Cost in Toronto?

Exposed aggregate runs $10 to $18 per square foot. The drivers:

-   **Washed or seeded.** Seeding decorative stone adds material and labour.
-   **Stone choice.** Standard pea gravel is the base cost. Granite and custom blends cost more.
-   **Expose depth.** Deeper exposes take more washing time and more careful control.
-   **Area and shape.** Curves, borders and small areas need more edge work.
-   **Base condition.** Removal of an existing slab and any extra excavation is quoted separately.
-   **Sealer specification.** UV-stable premium sealers cost more up front and last longer.

## Where Exposed Aggregate Works Best

Concrete driveways

[/concrete-driveways/ →](/concrete-driveways/)

, particularly sloped ones, where winter grip and stain resistance both matter. 

Walkways and front paths

[/concrete-walkways-sidewalks/ →](/concrete-walkways-sidewalks/)

, especially north-facing ones that stay icy. 

Pool decks

[/concrete-pool-decks/ →](/concrete-pool-decks/)

, where wet feet and safety are the priority and a light stone blend also keeps the surface cooler. 

Concrete patios

[/concrete-patios/ →](/concrete-patios/)

, where a natural stone look is wanted without the joints and settlement of individual pavers. **Decorative borders** around a 

stamped concrete

[/stamped-concrete/ →](/stamped-concrete/)

 or broom-finished field, which gives contrast at a fraction of full decorative cost.

## Maintenance

Rinse and sweep as needed. Reseal every two to three years with a non-yellowing acrylic, which we handle under 

concrete sealing and waterproofing

[/concrete-sealing-waterproofing/ →](/concrete-sealing-waterproofing/)

. Use a plastic shovel rather than a metal-edged one, and prefer chloride-free ice melt where practical. Efflorescence that appears in the first year is normal and washes off with a mild acidic cleaner.

Send us the area, a photo of the house and your preferred stone tone, and we will come back with a written published-rate quote inside two hours.

Published pricing

## How Much Does Exposed Aggregate Cost in Toronto?

$10 - $18 per sq ft

### Washed Aggregate

$10 - $13 / sq ft

-   check Surface retarder and controlled wash-off
-   check Standard pea gravel aggregate in the mix
-   check Micro to light expose depth
-   check Non-yellowing acrylic sealer

Get a Free Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

Most requested

### Seeded Aggregate

$13 - $16 / sq ft

-   check Everything in washed aggregate
-   check Decorative stone broadcast into the surface
-   check Medium expose depth for full stone display
-   check Efflorescence wash before sealing

Get a Free Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

### Custom Stone Blend

$16 - $18 / sq ft

-   check Everything in seeded aggregate
-   check Specified granite or custom stone blend
-   check Contrasting border or banding
-   check Upgraded UV-stable sealer

Get a Free Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

Standard washed pea gravel sits at the lower end. Seeded specialty stone and custom blends push toward the top.

Rates are published up front with no hidden fees. Final pricing depends on site conditions, thickness, reinforcement, and finish. See the full 

published rate card

[/pricing/ →](/pricing/)

.

Why choose us

## Why Choose Best Concrete Toronto for Exposed Aggregate?

do\_not\_step

### Best Grip of Any Finish

The revealed stone breaks the water film, which makes exposed aggregate the safest decorative surface for sloped drives, shaded walks and pool decks.

tune

### Expose Depth You Choose

Micro, light or medium expose. We agree the depth on a sample before the wash rather than finding out on your driveway.

wb\_sunny

### Non-Yellowing Sealer

A cheap sealer yellows in UV within two seasons and ruins the stone colour. We specify non-yellowing product on every exposed-aggregate job.

receipt\_long

### Published Pricing

$10 to $18 per sq ft, quoted in writing before we start.

Our process

## How Does Exposed Aggregate Work?

1.  1 palette
    
    ### Choose the Stone
    
    We show samples of pea gravel, granite and custom blends at different expose depths so you know exactly what will come up.
    
2.  2 request\_quote
    
    ### Written Quote
    
    Published per-square-foot pricing in writing inside our 2-hour response window.
    
3.  3 construction
    
    ### Pour & Retard
    
    Place the slab, seed the stone where specified, then apply surface retarder to hold the top paste open.
    
4.  4 verified
    
    ### Wash & Seal
    
    Pressure wash to the agreed expose depth, wash off efflorescence, then apply a non-yellowing acrylic sealer.
    

Our work

## Exposed Aggregate Projects Across the GTA

Click any image to enlarge.

 

 

## How Best Concrete Toronto Compares

| Factor | Typical Contractor | Best Concrete Toronto |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Expose depth | Washed to whatever comes off | Agreed on a sample before the wash |
| Quote turnaround | 2 to 5 business days | 2-hour response window |
| Sealer quality | Standard sealer that yellows in UV | Non-yellowing acrylic sealer specified on every job |
| Stone selection | Whatever aggregate is in the mix | Seeded stone chosen from physical sample boards |
| Pricing transparency | Quote on request only | Published per sq ft rates |

Testimonials

## What Customers Say About Our Exposed Aggregate Work

4.9 out of 5 across Google reviews

star star star star star

> "Exposed aggregate driveway in Bronte. They matched the stone to the house and the grip is far better than the old smooth slab."

Catherine F. Bronte

star star star star star

> "Around the pool it is the right call. Not slippery, not hot, and it looks like natural stone."

Rob N. Glen Abbey

star star star star star

> "They showed us three expose depths on a sample board. Made the decision easy and the result was exactly what we picked."

Marco D. Woodbridge

Common questions

## Exposed Aggregate FAQs

### help How much does exposed aggregate concrete cost in Toronto?

expand\_more

Exposed aggregate runs $10 to $18 per sq ft installed. Standard washed pea gravel sits at the lower end. Seeded specialty stone and custom blends push toward the top.

### help What is the difference between seeded and washed aggregate?

expand\_more

Washed aggregate reveals the stone that is already in the concrete mix by removing the top layer of cement paste. Seeded aggregate broadcasts additional decorative stone onto the fresh surface before finishing, so you get to choose exactly which stone shows. Seeded costs more and gives far more control over the look.

### help Is exposed aggregate slippery?

expand\_more

It is the least slippery decorative finish available. The revealed stone breaks up the water film that makes smooth concrete dangerous when wet. That is why it is our default recommendation for sloped driveways, shaded walkways and pool surrounds.

### help How does the expose depth work?

expand\_more

A surface retarder is sprayed on the fresh slab to keep the top few millimetres of paste from setting. The next day we pressure wash that paste away. How long we wash and how much pressure we use determines whether you get a micro, light or medium expose. We agree that on a sample first.

### help Does exposed aggregate need sealing?

expand\_more

Yes, and the sealer choice matters more here than on plain concrete. A non-yellowing acrylic keeps the stone colour true. Cheap sealers go amber under UV within two seasons. Reseal every two to three years.

### help What is that white haze on new exposed aggregate?

expand\_more

Efflorescence, which is free lime carried to the surface by evaporating water. It is normal on new concrete. We wash it off with a mild acidic cleaner before sealing, and any that appears later can be washed off the same way.

### help Can exposed aggregate be used on a driveway?

expand\_more

Absolutely, and it is one of the best choices for one. The texture grips in winter, it hides staining better than plain grey, and it wears extremely well because the stone at the surface is harder than cement paste.

### help Is it hard to shovel snow off?

expand\_more

Slightly more resistance than a smooth slab, but a plastic shovel or a snow blower handles it without issue. Avoid dragging a metal shovel edge across it, which can chip the exposed stone over time.

### help Can you match the aggregate to my house?

expand\_more

Yes. Custom stone blends let us pick tones that pull from the brick, stone or roof colour. We bring sample boards to the quote visit so the choice is made against the actual house rather than a photo.

### Still have questions?

We answer the phone 24/7 and reply to quote requests inside two hours.

Get a Free Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

## Related Services

grid\_view

### Stamped Concrete

Patterned overlays and pours in stone, slate, brick and wood-plank patterns.

[Stamped Concrete →](/stamped-concrete/)

pool

### Concrete Pool Decks

New pool deck installation, resurfacing and non-slip coatings poured without damaging your liner.

[Concrete Pool Decks →](/concrete-pool-decks/)

water\_drop

### Concrete Sealing & Waterproofing

Silane-siloxane, acrylic and penetrating sealers and densifiers that protect against freeze-thaw and salt.

[Concrete Sealing & Waterproofing →](/concrete-sealing-waterproofing/)

![](/images/hero/concrete-crew-in-hi-vis-vests-finishing-a-large-dr.webp)

2-hour response window, 24/7 phone answering

## Ready to Book Exposed Aggregate?

Published pricing on exposed aggregate concrete, a written quote inside two hours, and a 2-year workmanship warranty.

request\_quote Get a Free Quote

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

call (647) 800-3688

[tel:+16478003688 →](tel:+16478003688)

-   check\_circle 2-year workmanship warranty
-   check\_circle No hidden fees
-   check\_circle WSIB insured, $2M liability