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New Erra Decorative Concrete logo, a chevron mark in concrete texture New Erra 0409 141 617

Choosing a finish

What the difference actually looks like

Most people know the look they want and not what it is called. These are four of our own jobs, each with a close-up of the surface, because from across a driveway they look similar and up close they are nothing alike.

Start here

Can you see individual stones in the surface?

Yes, whole and rounded, sitting proud
Exposed aggregate
Yes, but sliced flat and shining
Honed concrete
No, smooth and pale with brush swirls
Liquid limestone
No, and it is an even colour that is not concrete grey
Coloured concrete
Exposed aggregate paving running up to a rendered home with timber posts, the washed stone surface filling the foreground
The job
Close view of exposed aggregate: whole rounded pebbles in cream, honey and black sitting proud of the cement around them
Up close

Stones revealed

Exposed aggregate

Poured as normal concrete, then the thin skin of cement on top is washed off the same day so the stones underneath sit proud. The colour you see is the stones, chosen at the batching plant.

Underfoot
Coarse and grippy underfoot
Best for
Driveways, paths, anywhere that gets wet
More on exposed aggregate
Honed concrete alfresco under a timber-lined ceiling with red brick piers, the polished floor reflecting the sky
The job
Close view of honed concrete: stones cut flat and level with the cream cement, black and pale fragments reading like terrazzo
Up close

Stones ground flat

Honed concrete

The cured slab is ground back with diamond pads, which slices the stones through the middle and leaves them flat and level with the surface, then it is sealed.

Underfoot
Smooth, hard, reflective
Best for
Alfresco areas and indoor to outdoor floors
More on honed concrete
Warm sand-coloured liquid limestone laid across a backyard and continuing under the patio roof of a cream brick home
The job
Close view of honey-toned liquid limestone with a brushed swirl texture and a fine saw-cut joint, no stones visible
Up close

Limestone in the mix

Liquid limestone

Crushed limestone goes into the mix instead of granite aggregate, and it is troweled smooth with a brushed swirl and saw-cut joints. No stones show at all.

Underfoot
Smooth, and stays cool in summer
Best for
Pool surrounds and alfresco areas
More on liquid limestone
Wide sandstone-coloured concrete driveway and side access beside a new two-storey home, cream fencing behind and saw-cut joints across the slab
The job
Close view of cream coloured concrete: one even tone across the whole surface with a fine broomed texture and no stones showing
Up close

Pigment in the mix

Coloured concrete

Oxide pigment goes in while the concrete is still wet, so the colour is part of the slab rather than a coating on top. No stone shows through, so the whole area reads as one clean tone.

Underfoot
Smooth, with a fine broomed texture
Best for
Driveways, side access and modern builds
More on coloured concrete

Not sure which one suits your place?

Tell us how you use the space and we will tell you which finish actually works for it, rather than which one photographs best. Ring Corey on 0409 141 617 or fill in the form below.

Start your project

Get a price on the finish you want

Tell us which one caught your eye and we will quote it for your place.

Prefer to talk? Ring Corey on 0409 141 617.

We work across Secret Harbour, Port Kennedy, Golden Bay, Madora Bay, Dawesville, Wannanup, Dudley Park, South Yunderup, Pinjarra, North Dandalup, Serpentine, Mandurah, Rockingham, Baldivis and Warnbro.