Going above and beyond for our customers is what we would consider our bare minimum. We're proud to put our name on every project we complete, because we know it's the best quality work in the Manawatu.
The finish is the part of a concrete driveway you look at every day, and it is the part most people agonise over. The good news is that it does not change how long the driveway lasts. Every driveway we pour in Palmerston North gets the same compacted basecourse, the same reinforcing, the same control joints and the same curing. The finish changes the look, the grip, the upkeep and the price.
Here is how the four finishes we pour compare, and who each one suits.
Plain grey concrete, dragged with a broom while it is still green to give it a fine ribbed texture. It is the most common concrete driveway finish in Palmerston North for good reason: it is the most economical, it gives excellent grip in the wet, and it wears extremely well.
Best for: rentals, long driveways where budget goes a long way, sloping sections and anyone who wants a hard-wearing driveway without the upkeep.
Oxide is mixed right through the concrete at the plant, so the colour goes all the way through the slab rather than sitting on top as a coating. Charcoal and slate tones suit homes with dark cladding or roofs.
Best for: homeowners who want something tidier than plain grey without paying for exposed aggregate.
Plain or coloured concrete with saw-cut patterns, banding or borders, finished with a sealer. The cuts break a large driveway up visually and turn the control joints into part of the design instead of a random line across the slab.
Best for: large flat areas, modern homes and anyone who wants a design element without the texture of stone.
The top layer of cement paste is washed off while the concrete is setting, leaving the stone in the mix showing on the surface. It is the most decorative finish, the best at hiding everyday marks, and the usual choice on new builds around Aokautere, Kelvin Grove and Whakarongo. You can read more about it on our exposed aggregate concrete page.
Best for: new builds, street-facing driveways and anyone who wants a driveway that still looks good with minimal cleaning.
| Finish | Cost | Grip | Hides marks | Sealing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broom finish | Lowest | Best | Least | Not needed |
| Coloured | Medium | Good (broomed) | Some | Every few years |
| Cut and sealed | Medium to high | Fair (grit added on slopes) | Some | Every few years |
| Exposed aggregate | Highest | Good | Most | Recommended |
Shade and moss. South-facing driveways and anything under trees stay damp through a Manawatū winter and can grow moss. A textured finish, either broom or exposed aggregate, keeps its grip far better than a smooth one in those spots.
Slope. On sloping sections we steer people towards broom finish or exposed aggregate for grip. Our sloping driveways guide covers this in more detail.
Matching what is already there. If you are only replacing part of a driveway, or adding a parking pad next to an existing one, a plain broom finish is the easiest to blend. New coloured concrete or exposed aggregate next to old concrete will always look new.
Photos never quite show the texture or colour of a finish, so we bring real samples to the free on-site quote. You can see them in your own light, against your own house, before you decide. Find out more about our concrete driveways in Palmerston North, or see what affects the cost of a driveway.
Free on-site quote. Firm written price. A crew that turns up.
