Critical Considerations for Selecting Decorative Stones for Exposed Aggregate Surfaces

The appearance of your exposed aggregate floors will depend on your choice of exposed aggregate. In simple terms, the colour palette and the texture of your flooring or pavement will be determined by the stones incorporated into the mix. Therefore, you should choose your decorative stones with care to ensure ideal appeal without compromising structural integrity. Here are the most important factors that you should consider when choosing your decorative aggregate.

Specific Material

Different materials are used in the manufacture of decorative aggregate. You should evaluate the options that you can access and determine the most suitable choice for your applications. In most cases, people prefer to use crushed natural stones for their surfaces. The appeal of natural materials is incomparable due to the rich and authentic colours. The popular stones used in concrete pavements and floors include granite, quartz and basalt.

However, you should not only consider stones for your project. You can use manufactured aggregate like recycled glass with diverse colours, or you can seed decorative items like seashells onto your concrete surface. When choosing your material, you should think about the visual impact that you would like for your surfaces. Also, it is advisable to choose locally available materials such as stones mined in your area because the cost will be lower.

Aggregate Size

You should evaluate the different aggregate sizes available for your selected material. The ideal choice will depend on numerous factors, including desired aesthetics and type of surface. In general, the size of aggregate on the market can range from sandy material to large, fist-sized stones. Typically, decorative aggregate should be fairly large for optimal exposure and effect after installation and cleaning. You can also blend different sizes of material for an interesting visual effect. If you are building a small concrete surface on your property, you should opt for smaller stones. Large stones can be overwhelming. However, if you are installing a large surface like a driveway, you can use large pieces of aggregate.

Aggregate Shape

You should choose the most suitable aggregate shape for your concrete construction project. The shape is an important factor because it will influence the pattern and general texture of your exposed aggregate floors. If you want to achieve maximum coverage with your decorate aggregate, you should choose rounded stones. These units will also create a smoother surface. On the other hand, angular aggregate will increase the dimension and texture of your concrete. Finally, you should avoid flat and sliver-shaped aggregate because the pieces dislodge easily.

To learn more, contact a company that sells concrete supplies.