The most common method is installing a pre mixed aggregate concrete. However, because the decorative aggregate is just the depth of a single layer of stones, any loose aggregate might be flicked out by wear or trafficking, revealing the plain, boring, bog-standard concrete beneath. Standards for workmanship and temporary works, Standards for cement, aggregates, admixtures, National Structural Concrete Specification (NSCS), Offshore wind: concrete gravity foundations, Operational and embodied carbon: commerical, Providing enough thermal mass in air conditioned buildings, Providing enough thermal mass in naturally ventilated buildings, Thermal mass and Design-Side Response (DSR), Concrete industry sustainable construction strategy, Responsibly sourced concrete and BES 6001, Concrete Quarterly Visual Concrete special issue. However, as a filler, any number of stones, pebbles or combination can be used. Exposed aggregate also is a great alternative for homeowners who want a decorative finish at an economical cost. This is often a technique used to level and finish existing floors, although the final result is unlikely to be as consistent as where a floor is designed and placed to be polished in the first place. ... applied to the concrete floor surface to avoid hardening of top thin layer of concrete and then remove it through water washing or brushing. Achieving an Exposed Aggregate Finish. The effect is intensified when the pigment and/or cement colour contrasts with the sands and aggregates. The top millimetres of the concrete are mechanically ground away to expose the aggregate, often using diamond grinders. This two-layer construction is the basis of the Face Mix Blocks that are extremely popular in Ireland and continental Europe, and it has been combined with the 'wash-to-expose' methodology described above to enable the manufacture exposed aggregate block pavers , which bring all the aesthetic apeal of an exposed aggregate concrete in an easy-to-lay modular form. Unlike the mechanically abraded system, this technique takes place before newly placed concrete is fully cured and timing is critical to achieve a successful finish. Sealing is an important aspect of maintaining exposed aggregate. After it’s washed and everything looks consistent, spray on a sealer or curing compound. Appropriate specification of the concrete mix is essential for a high-quality exposed aggregate finish, since “normal” concrete is unlikely to contain sufficient aggregate at the surface once compacted. A brushed finish or any other concrete finish should be designed so it doesn't trap water. Step 1, Build a wooden box. The next morning, wash off anything that will wash off. The timing needs to be precise with the initial set and the length of time that the retardant works. The depth of grind will determine the degree of aggregate exposure, ie larger aggregate sections will be revealed with a deeper grind. The degree to which the deco-agg is forced into the concrete depends on the expertise of the operative, the size of the aggregate itself, the condition of the concrete, the desired finish and the planned use. The case study illustrated below follows the creation of an exposed slate aggregate concrete we've recently developed for a project in N.Wales. In general, it is less expensive than the installation of just concrete, as the stones d… The plastic concrete is screeded and tamped to the required level. It can take on the appearance of terrazzo depending upon the colour of cement, pigments and type of aggregates used – specialist suppliers and installers offer a huge range of colours and aggregate combinations. There are several methods to expose concrete. Try 1 ounce powdered laundry detergent, 1 quart 5% household bleach, and 3 quarts water. This technique removes the cement matrix at the surface of the concrete slab via brushing & flushing the surface with water soon after the poured concrete has stiffened. Of design they would like to receive this information, please enter your email address and we will you! And weather-related damage before trowelling exposed concrete the washing process can weaken the surface exposed aggregate concrete brushing and washing,! Different visual appearance heavy-duty applications our exposed aggregate and keep it looking good for long. Been tamped, the skill level required is relatively low and it 's harder to … after casting is practicality. 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