Exposed Aggregate Concrete in Waco, TX
Exposed aggregate concrete in Waco, TX bares the stone at the surface of the slab, a rugged, nonskid finish that Waco Elite Concrete pours for driveways, patios, walks and pool decks. Ask for a free estimate at any hour.
Call or request a free estimate any time, 24/7
No charge answered 24/7
Get free estimates
An exposed aggregate finish on Waco's black clay
Stone on top doesn't change the ground underneath. The USDA soil survey marks Houston Black clay, one of McLennan County's two most extensive mapped soils, "Very limited" for concrete driveways and sidewalks: high shrink-swell is the reason. The base, joints and steel under a stone-finished drive follow the same rules as on our Waco driveway page.
Stone size and seating areas
Exposed stone runs from 3/8 inch to 2 inches or more, and its size largely sets how deep the exposure goes. With big stone, one published guide suggests a smoother surface where chairs slide around.
Summer heat and the wash-off
Waco's daily high reaches 90°F or more on 114.8 days of an average year (NOAA, 1991–2020). The American Concrete Institute counts heat, dry air, wind and sun as hot-weather conditions that speed up moisture loss and cement hydration, and both the seeding and the retarder go onto fresh concrete.
Call or request a free estimate any time, 24/7.
(254) 309-9254How the stone is seeded and uncovered
Seed and float
Stone mixed into the batch gives a subtler finish; stone seeded onto the fresh slab allows heavier exposure. A bull float or darby presses it in under a thin layer of cement paste.
Spray the retarder
Once finishing is done and the bleed water is gone, a surface retarder delays the set of the top mortar. The porosity of the surface then mainly sets the depth of exposure.
Wash off and seal
The paste is generally washed away 12 to 24 hours later, though one maker's retarder is best removed within 5 to 12. Upkeep after that is mostly sealing and the odd cleaning.
Call or request a free estimate any time, 24/7.
(254) 309-9254Exposed aggregate cost
No Waco price for this finish has been published. One published guide says it costs more to install than basic concrete because of the additional labor. For a pattern instead of loose stone, see stamped concrete in Waco; other jobs are on our list of services.
- Exposed aggregate patio or walk, Central Texas (2026)
- $7–$18
- Broom-finish patio or walk, Central Texas (2026)
- $6–$12
- Exposed aggregate driveway, national (2025)
- $8–$12
- Plain driveway, national (2025)
- $6–$8
Typical published figures for the years shown. Not a quote.
Exposed aggregate questions
How do you pour exposed aggregate concrete?
Like any slab up to the finishing, with the stone either in the mix or seeded onto the fresh surface. Then a retarder chemically delays the set of the surface mortar, so that layer can be washed off to uncover the stone.
Does an exposed aggregate surface need sealing?
Sealing is its main upkeep. The American Society of Concrete Contractors calls decorative sealer a sacrificial coat and, as a rule of thumb, wants it renewed every 2 to 3 years where sun and traffic are heavy. On a driveway, a penetrating sealer adds no gloss or slipperiness.
How long does an exposed aggregate driveway last?
Properly installed, the finish "can easily deliver a 30-plus-year lifespan with minimal repair or refinishing," in the words of one published guide.
Price an exposed aggregate drive, patio or walk
Tell us whether it is a drive, a patio or a walk, with a phone number or email to reach you. The estimate costs nothing, and requests get a reply at any hour.