A textured, slip-resistant finish that shows off the stone inside the concrete. Papaneri & Sons pours exposed aggregate driveways, patios, and pool decks built for South Jersey. Family owned since 1987. Call for a free estimate.
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Exposed aggregate is concrete with its top layer washed away to reveal the stone inside. The result is a surface full of texture, color, and traction that a plain gray slab simply cannot match.
Papaneri & Sons Concrete has poured decorative finishes across Cherry Hill and South Jersey since 1987. We are family owned, ACI certified, licensed and insured, and this finish has been part of our work for decades.
This finish is a favorite for driveways, patios, walkways, and pool decks. It hides everyday wear well and gives bare feet and car tires a surface that grips, even when it is wet from rain or snow.
You also get a lot of choice. The look changes with the size and color of the stone we use, so we can match it to your home, from warm river-rock browns to cool gray blends.
Thinking about an aggregate finish for your project? Call us at (856) 354-9338 for a free estimate and we will show you what your options look like in person.
The finish looks simple, but the timing has to be exact. Pour it too soon or wash it too late and the whole surface can be ruined, which is why experience matters so much on this job.
We place the concrete and float it like any slab. The aggregate can be mixed right into the concrete or seeded onto the fresh surface for a denser, more even stone pattern on top.
Once the concrete sets to just the right point, we wash and brush away the thin top layer of cement paste. This exposes the stone without loosening it, and getting that window right is the whole skill of the job.
After it cures, we seal the surface. Sealing locks the stones in place, brings out their color, and makes the finish far easier to keep clean through the seasons.
Because we pour and finish it ourselves, the aggregate ties cleanly into your driveway, walkway, or pool deck with no seams or mismatched patches where one crew handed off to another.
The size and color of the stone change the whole look, so we walk you through samples before we pour. A small, uniform pea gravel reads clean and modern, while a larger, mixed stone gives a richer, more natural feel underfoot.
We can also band different sections with a smooth border or a contrasting finish. That lets us frame a driveway or a pool deck so the aggregate reads as a designed surface, not just a poured slab.
Because it grips well when wet, exposed aggregate shines in places where a smooth slab would be slick and unsafe.
Wet feet and smooth concrete are a bad mix. The rough texture of aggregate gives real traction around a pool, and the stone tends to stay cooler underfoot than dark pavement in the summer sun.
The finish hides tire marks, leaf stains, and everyday wear far better than a plain gray slab, so it keeps looking good for years with very little effort from you.
Aggregate adds warmth and color to a backyard patio or a front entry without the higher cost and shifting joints of pavers or natural stone.
On a walkway or driveway that runs downhill, the extra grip of aggregate is a real safety benefit in South Jersey's icy months.
Because the finish is so forgiving, it is a smart pick for busy households. Kids, pets, and patio furniture all leave marks on a smooth slab, and the texture of aggregate hides that everyday use far better.
It also pairs well with other finishes on the same project. We often set an aggregate field with a smooth or stamped border, so you get the grip where you walk and a clean edge where the surface meets the lawn.
Every finish has a trade-off. Here is how aggregate stacks up against the other options we pour for homeowners in Cherry Hill.
Compared to a plain broom finish, aggregate hides wear and adds far more visual interest, though it costs a bit more to install and needs resealing a little more often to stay bright.
Compared to stamped concrete, aggregate has better long-term traction and no repeating pattern that can look worn as it ages. Stamped gives you sharper shapes like brick or slate if that is the look you want.
Not sure which finish fits your project? See all of the concrete services we offer in Cherry Hill, or compare aggregate against our decorative concrete and stamped concrete options side by side so you can choose with confidence.
Aggregate also holds its value over time. Because the surface is stone rather than a thin colored or stamped layer, it does not wear through to a different look the way some decorative finishes can after years of traffic.
For a driveway that faces the street all day, that matters. The finish still looks intentional and well kept years later, which is exactly what you want on the most visible concrete on your property.
Still weighing the two finishes? See our side-by-side guide to exposed aggregate vs regular concrete.
Papaneri & Sons has poured decorative concrete across South Jersey since 1987. ACI certified, precise timing, and a proper seal on every aggregate finish. Get your free estimate today.
An aggregate surface is tough, but the seal is what keeps it looking new. Sealing is the one job you should not skip on this kind of finish.
We seal every aggregate pour once it cures. The sealer locks the exposed stones in place and stops water and salt from working their way into the surface and popping stones loose over time.
Plan to reseal every two to three years in South Jersey. Freeze-thaw winters are hard on any outdoor surface, and a fresh seal is your best defense against scaling and dulling.
Day to day, a rinse with a hose and an occasional push broom is all it takes to keep the surface clean. Avoid harsh de-icers, which can pit the surface and dull the stone over the years.
Handled this way, an exposed aggregate driveway or pool deck stays sharp and slip-resistant for a very long time with almost no work on your part.
If a stone ever works loose over the years, it is a simple fix. We can spot-repair a small area and reseal it so the patch blends in, which is far easier than dealing with a cracked smooth slab.
Keep an eye on shaded, damp areas where a little algae can build up on any outdoor surface. A rinse and a stiff broom clear it fast, and the seal keeps it from taking hold in the first place.
Exposed aggregate lives or dies on timing and technique. A crew that has done it for decades knows exactly when to wash the surface for an even, professional finish.
Three generations of the Papaneri family have poured decorative concrete across South Jersey. That experience is what gives you a clean, even finish with no blotchy spots.
Our crews are trained to industry standards and fully insured, so your project is in careful, qualified hands from start to finish.
A sealed finish lasts. We do not consider an aggregate pour finished until it is sealed and protected against South Jersey weather.
Everything we show you is our own work here in Cherry Hill and the surrounding towns, so you know exactly what to expect.
No. The exposed stone gives the surface a rough texture that grips well even when wet, which is exactly why it is such a popular choice for pool decks, walkways, and sloped driveways.
A properly sealed aggregate surface can last decades. Resealing every two to three years protects it from freeze-thaw damage and keeps the stone bright through South Jersey winters.
In many cases we can apply an aggregate overlay to a sound existing slab. Call Papaneri & Sons at (856) 354-9338 for a free estimate and to see what fits your project.
Stamped, stained, and textured finishes that turn a plain slab into a feature. Aggregate is one option among many we pour.
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Pressed patterns that mimic brick, slate, and stone for driveways, patios, and walkways.
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The seal that protects an aggregate or decorative finish from water, salt, and South Jersey freeze-thaw cycles.
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