Source: BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine
Publication date: July 6, 2006
By Jeanne Fields
New technologies are paving the way for the comeback of a once-dated decorative concrete application. Exposed aggregate is turning up in prestigious places like the renovation of the Getty Museum in Malibu, Calif., and is adding a touch of glamour to formerly blah driveway, patio, pool deck, or spa areas.
This renewed attention is due to new products and systems that extend the life span of these surfaces. In the past, vintage exposed aggregate driveways were thought of as boring and even unsightly, with uneven surfaces and stones that popped out too frequently. Installers told homeowners to expect exposed aggregate concrete to lose its decorative stones over time. But thanks to longer-lasting products, exposed aggregate finishes now are seen as a beautiful and durable architectural paving option that includes patterned reveals, multiple stones, and a variety of finishes.
The wide range of stone to choose from–quartz, marble, granite, feldspar, basalt, and obsidian, to name a few–means the design opportunities are endless. Add to this the choice of white or colored cement and specialty seeded materials such as marble, shells, or glass, and clients sometimes have a hard time deciding where to start.
For most contractors, the first step is to connect with a nearby quarry, because specing local stone helps cut down on delivery costs.
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