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Exposed Aggregate & Decorative Concrete in Westland, MI

Exposed Aggregate & Decorative

A finish with texture, grip and character.

Beyond the standard broom finish, there are plenty of ways to give concrete character. Exposed aggregate shows off the stone in the mix and grips well in snow. Integral color runs all the way through the slab. Borders and bands frame a driveway or patio in a contrasting finish.

Typical priceexposed aggregate +$2–$5 / sq ftinstalled in Metro Detroit · cost guide →
(734) 720-9815Free decorative concrete project estimate
Stamped concrete slab framed by a smooth dark border band
What we build

Exposed Aggregate & Decorative, start to finish

  • Exposed aggregate driveways and patios
  • Integral colored concrete
  • Stamped or smooth borders and bands
  • Mixed finishes on one project
  • Sealing for color and protection
Key considerations

What goes into it

  1. 01Finish suited to traffic and snow
  2. 02Color that stays consistent
  3. 03Clean lines where finishes meet
  4. 04Traction on slopes and steps
  5. 05Sealer suited to the finish

Because Michigan weather is hard on concrete, we put the most care into the parts you can’t see: proper sub-base, reinforcement, and curing that make your concrete last.

What’s under the surface

A Michigan driveway, in cross-section

Not to scale · slope exaggerated
1Wet clay freezes and heaves in winter, then softens and settles in spring, moving whatever sits on top of it.
2Soft clay comes out and compacted 21AA aggregate goes in, so the slab sits on something that stays put.
3Rebar on chairs at mid-depth keeps any cracks that do form tight and level.
4An air-entrained mix survives freeze-thaw, and control joints decide where the slab cracks.
5The slab slopes away from the house, with an isolation joint where it meets the foundation.
How it runs

Estimate to final walkthrough

  1. 1Free estimate with finish samples
  2. 2Clear quote for the design you pick
  3. 3Prep, pour and finish
  4. 4Cure, seal and final walkthrough
Finish options

Straightforward or decorative

Broom finish
Fine ridges for traction on snow and ice. The standard for driveways.
Stamped
Patterned and colored to look like stone, slate or brick.
Exposed aggregate
The surface washed back to show the stone. Grippy and hides wear well.
Integral color
Color mixed through the whole slab, so chips don’t show grey.
Decorative borders
A contrasting band that frames a driveway or patio.
Sealed
Sealer before the first winter to resist water and road salt.
Where you live changes the job

A decorative concrete project on lake-plain clay is a different job than one on sandy outwash

Metro Detroit sits on three kinds of ground, and each one changes how we prepare the base, reinforce the slab and handle water. Your community page has the specifics.

Lake-plain clay

Dig out the soft clay, replace it with compacted 21AA aggregate base, and set the slope so water runs off the slab and away from the house.

WestlandLivoniaGarden CityWayne

Rolling glacial till

Proof-roll the subgrade to find soft spots, replace them, build a thicker compacted base, and plan the grade so runoff is carried around the slab.

NorthvilleFarmington HillsFarmingtonNovi

Sandy outwash

Compaction done in lifts, a full-depth aggregate base, and a thicker section anywhere a truck, trailer or RV will park.

CantonPlymouthBellevilleYpsilanti
Questions and answers

Exposed Aggregate & Decorative: what people ask us

Exposed aggregate typically adds $2–$5 per square foot and integral color $3–$7 over the plain broom-finish price, which runs $12–$15 per square foot for a driveway. A colored or stamped border around a plain slab runs $3–$6 per linear foot, and on a mixed-finish project each area is priced at its own rate.

Typical prices for every kind of project are in the Metro Detroit concrete cost guide, and general questions are on the FAQ page.

More ways to improve your property

Explore our concrete services

Concrete DrivewaysDurable, great-looking driveways built to handle Michigan freeze-thaw.Driveway ReplacementTear out the old one. Pour one that lasts.Driveway ExtensionsRoom for one more car, without the patchwork look.Concrete PatiosCustom patios that extend your living space and lift your curb appeal.Stamped ConcreteDecorative patterns and textures that mimic stone, brick and slate.Commercial ConcreteReliable flat work for businesses and property managers.

Get a clear price on your decorative concrete project.

Get a free, no-pressure estimate from a local team that treats your home like its own.

(734) 720-9815Get a free estimate