"Absolutely brilliant from the very beginning right through to the end. Communication, professionalism, friendliness, attention to detail, patience, dedication, the whole package. I never thought I would be so wowed by a new driveway, but thanks to Bolt Concreting I am! Recommend these guys hands down."
Exposed Aggregate Concrete Palmerston North
Exposed aggregate concrete in Palmerston North for driveways, paths, steps and patios: a washed stone finish that hides marks and stays grippy underfoot.
- Free on-site quotes within 48 hours
- Real stone samples can be brought to the quote
- Naturally non-slip, hides tyre marks and stains
- Sealed on completion as standard
Get your free on-site quoteTakes 30 seconds. We reply within 1 working day.
- 17+5-star reviews
- 12+ yrsindustry experience
- 200+projects completed
- 100%workmanship guaranteed
About Exposed Aggregate
The finish people notice.
Exposed aggregate is the finish people notice, and the one that hides everyday wear best. The top layer is washed back to reveal the stone underneath, so instead of flat grey you get texture and colour that does not show tyre marks, leaf stain or the odd bit of oil. It is a popular choice for concrete driveways in Palmerston North, and it suits the darker cladding going on new builds around Aokautere and Whakarongo, and it costs a fraction of paving over the same area.
It is also less forgiving to lay than a broom finish. The wash has to happen in a fairly narrow window, too early and you dig the stone out, too late and it will not come back at all, and that window moves with the weather. Getting an even exposure across a whole driveway is a matter of watching the slab, not the clock, which is why we do not hand it to a subcontractor and hope.
Underneath, it is built exactly like any other pour we do. Same sub-base, same reinforcing, same control joints, same curing. The stone is the part you see; the slab under it is the part that decides how long you keep looking at it.
What The Job Involves
How the stone gets exposed
The groundwork is identical to any other job. Old surface out, excavate to depth, basecourse in and compacted, boxing set to the falls, mesh chaired up off the ground. None of that changes because of the finish going on top.
What changes is the mix and what happens in the hours after the pour. The concrete comes with your chosen stone blend through it, gets screeded and floated, then a surface retarder goes on to hold the very top layer soft while everything below it sets.
Once the slab has gone off, we wash and brush that softened cement film back to reveal the stone. Timing is everything here and it shifts with heat, wind and how the pour went, so we stay on site and watch it. After that it is joints cut, a wash down, and a sealer once it has dried out properly.
- Site stripped and excavated to depthDay 1
- Basecourse laid and compactedDay 1
- Boxing setDay 1-2
- Mesh placedDay 1-2
- Pour with your chosen stoneDay 2-3
- Washed back and brushed offDay 3-4
- Joints cut and curedDay 3-4
- Sealed once fully dryReturn visit
Our work
Exposed aggregate we have poured around Palmerston North
Photos from our recent jobs. Tap any photo to see it bigger, then swipe through.
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Where It Works
Best places for exposed aggregate
It earns its money where the concrete is seen and walked on. Anywhere hidden, or anywhere you want to sweep clean and coat, is better off with a plain finish, and we will tell you that rather than sell you the dearer option.
Driveways
The most common use by a distance. Hides tyre marks and oil spotting far better than plain grey, and lifts the whole frontage from the street.
Entry paths & steps
Texture where people arrive, and grip underfoot on a wet morning. Ties the path and the driveway together when both are done in the same blend.
Patios & outdoor living
Warmer to look at than flat grey, and no paver joints to weed or settle. Sized and set out around your existing deck, doors and garden beds.
Pool surrounds
Naturally non-slip wet, does not hold heat like a dark smooth surface, and washes down easily once sealed.
Concrete pricing
What decides the cost of exposed aggregate in Palmerston North?
Two jobs of the same size can price quite differently, so we measure up and check the site before giving you a number. Here is what moves the price. Costs are always subject to change, and many factors affect the final price.
Area
Exposed aggregate is priced by the square metre, so the size of the job is the starting point.
Aggregate and colour
The stone blend and any colour in the mix change the material cost.
Finishing and sealing
Washing back, rinsing and sealing add labour and time compared with a broom finish.
Ground and removal
Base preparation and removal of any old surface are priced as their own lines, as for any concrete job.
Why we quote on site, not over the phone
Every one of these factors changes from property to property, so a price over the phone is a guess that tends to grow once work starts. We come out, measure up and give you a firm written price. It is free, with no obligation, and usually with you within 48 hours of your call.
Testimonials
What your Palmerston North neighbours say about our concreting
5.0
17+ reviews on Facebook
"We would highly recommend Bolt Concreting, they did a brilliant job, communication was awesome, attention to detail the best. Genuine hardworking professional team that went above and beyond. Thanks Jase and the team."
"Jase and his team are awesome.His communication was excellent. He turned up when he said he would and the quality of workmanship by Jase and his team was highly professional. We were really pleased with the job they did and would highly recommend them to anyone wanting an job done to a high standard."
"I highly recommend Bolt Concreting, they did an amazing job putting down a concrete patio at my rental start to finish. Was of a very high standard of workmanship top job"
"We have used Bolt Concrete and will be using again if the opportunity arises . We're very impressed with their workmanship they stand by their price, it's great to see such a hardworking team taking such pride in their job. Keep up the good work guys!!!"
"Absolutely rate bolt concrete they are very professional and highly recommend them to anyone who wants concrete work done. They have done our whole driveway and communicated with us the whole way and went above and beyond to get the job done. Absolutely recommend Jason and his dad. Thanks for an awesome job Team"
"Highly recommend Bolt Concreting. Great attention to detail from start to finish, excellent communication throughout the whole job and you can really see the pride taken in their work. Jase went above and beyond and the excellent, final finish exceeded expectations. They were professional, reliable and easy to deal with and I am very happy with the result."
"Excellent communication skills, takes pride in making sure the client is getting what they want and helping them to find the perfect result. excellent finished product."
"100% the Go-To team for concreting jobs! Jason and Alan are a great team and did an amazing job at our front entrance! Definitely recommend them."
"Truly thank Jason and his team for a wonderful job that has recently been completed for my parents' place, giving an old house a new life.
Jason takes his client seriously, from our first meeting till the completion of the project, he guided us through each single step of the work, and we felt at ease particularly in the areas outside of our knowledge."
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Why work with us
Why homeowners pick us for their new exposed aggregate concrete
We turn up, we do the job properly, and we do not leave until it is right. Twelve years of laying concrete across the Manawatū means there is not much we have not poured. The same standard goes on a two-metre path as goes on a full driveway.
200+concrete projects completed
12+years industry experience
One firm price, in writing
No estimates that balloon. The price we quote on site is the price you pay.
The owner does the work
No subcontracted crews. The bloke who shook your hand pours your concrete.
Built for Palmerston North weather
Falls, drainage and cure times matched to Manawatū winters, no ponding, no early cracks.
Guaranteed workmanship
If our workmanship ever lets you down, we come back and make it right. Simple.
How it works
From first call to a finished exposed aggregate concrete
You deal with the same person from the first phone call to the final clean-up. No call centres, no runaround.
You get in touch
Fill in the form or call 0279094888. We reply within one working day and book a time that suits you.
Free on-site measure
We come to your Palmerston North property, measure up, check access and drainage, and talk through the finishes.
Fixed price quote
You get a fixed price in writing with the scope spelled out. No estimates that creep once we start.
Prep and pour
We break out the old surface, prepare the base, set the boxing and reinforcing, then pour and finish by hand.
Cure and clean up
We cure the slab properly, cut the joints, tidy the site and tell you exactly when you can walk and drive on it.
Get it right first time
Things to watch for with exposed aggregate
Most regrets come from the same few mistakes. Here is what goes wrong, and how we prevent it.
What goes wrong
Patchy colour and stone coverage from washing the surface back at the wrong time.
How we prevent it
The surface is exposed at the right moment, then rinsed back evenly and sealed.
What goes wrong
Choosing from a small photo, then not liking the stone blend on the day.
How we prevent it
We show you real samples at the quote so you pick from the actual stone and colour.
What goes wrong
Slippery or stained surfaces because the finish was never sealed.
How we prevent it
Sealing lifts the colour and makes washing down easier, and we explain how to look after it.
What we do
Other concrete work around your home
Every job starts the same way: we come out, measure up, talk through finishes and leave you a firm written price.
Concrete driveways
New and replacement driveways with the right base, falls and control joints, in broom, coloured or exposed aggregate finishes.
Paths, steps and patios
Straight or curved paths, steps and patios that drain properly through wet Manawatū winters and grip underfoot.
Concrete slabs
Patios, shed and garage floors, sleepout foundations and pads for spa pools and heat pumps.
Concrete resurfacing
Tired, stained or worn concrete prepared properly and resurfaced, so you refresh it without a full replacement.
Concrete repairs
Cracked, sunken or crumbling concrete fixed at the cause, then cut out and repoured so the repair holds.
Driveway repairs
Failed driveway sections cut out and repoured to a joint, so the repair reads as part of the driveway.
Guides
Guides for Palmerston North homeowners
About us
Meet Bolt Concreting, Palmerston North concreters
Exposed aggregate is the finish people notice, and it only looks right when the surface is washed back at the right moment.
Bolt Concreting is a boutique Palmerston North concreting company that has been laying concrete across the Manawatū since 2014, with more than 200 completed projects. The person who comes out to quote your job is the person who sets the boxing, screeds the pour and runs the trowel over the finish.
- Pouring concrete in the Manawatū since 2014
- Workmanship guaranteed
- A firm written price after every on-site quote
FAQs
Exposed aggregate questions we get asked
What is exposed aggregate concrete?
It is ordinary structural concrete with the top few millimetres of cement washed back before it fully hardens, revealing the stone in the mix. The slab underneath is built exactly the same way as any other pour, the difference is entirely in the surface.
Is exposed aggregate more expensive than plain concrete?
Yes. Expect to pay more than a broom finish for the specialist mix, the extra time on site and the sealing. It is still well under the cost of paving or tiling the same area, and it does not have joints to weed.
Is it slippery when wet?
No, the exposed stone gives it more grip than a smooth trowelled surface, which is why it is a common choice around pools and entryways. Sealing does not make it slick if the right sealer is used.
What stone can I choose from?
There is a good range of blends from grey and charcoal through to warm golds and mixed river stone, and the depth of the wash changes the look again. We bring real samples to the quote so you are choosing off a physical slab rather than a photo.
Does it need sealing?
We seal on completion, which lifts the colour and makes it easier to wash down. Resealing every three to five years keeps it looking new and stops the surface picking up stains.
How do I clean exposed aggregate?
A hose and a stiff broom handles most of it, and a water blaster on a wide fan does the rest, keep the nozzle back from the surface. Do not use a narrow jet up close, as it will cut the sealer and start dislodging stone.
Can you match exposed aggregate to an existing area?
We can get close, and often very close, but an exact match to concrete poured years ago is not realistic, mixes change and the existing surface has weathered. Where matching matters we will say so honestly before you commit.
Where does exposed aggregate work best?
Driveways, entry paths, patios and pool surrounds, anywhere the concrete is seen from the street or lived on. Inside a garage or shed it is the wrong choice; a power-float finish is easier to sweep and better under a coating.
Which areas do you cover?
All of Palmerston North and the wider Manawatū, including Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe, Feilding, Longburn and Linton.
Is the on-site quote really free?
Completely. We measure, talk through the options and leave you a written price. If it is not right for you, no hard feelings.
Areas we serve
Exposed aggregate concrete across Palmerston North & the Manawatū
We come out to quote for free. If you are not sure whether we cover your place, give us a call. We usually do.
Contact us
Get a firm price for your concrete job
- Free on-site measure and quote
- Written price within 48 hours
- No job too small, from a few steps to a full driveway
Prefer to talk? Give us a call:
027 909 4888Get your free on-site quoteTakes 30 seconds. We reply within 1 working day.