Exposed Aggregate for Backyard (Phoenix: buyer, live, price)

[Solere]

I'm trying to come up with an affordable surface for a 700 square ft area in my small backyard and was wondering how reasonably priced , practical and desirable to a future buyer exposed aggregate would be? Pavers, artificial grass and stamped concrete are too expensive.

[DetroitN8V]

I really like exposed agg, especially on a driveway. I think it's a good choice. An even less costly alternative would be regular concrete that you could stain.

[vince3vince]

Does exposed agg go directly on top of existing concrete slabs? Just googled it, I think it looks alright- somewhat remains me of the pebbletec on pools.

[DetroitN8V]

I believe it's a different mix of concrete to begin with, with more aggregate. Something is then done to expose it on the surface.

[DetroitN8V]

This looks sharp:

[wit-nit]

Exposed aggregate looks very nice if applied properly. It's great on rainy days where you won't slip and slide.
The only drawback is if they over water the concrete and weaken the rocks, then in time they may pop out and not look so good. If you hire someone ask to see sample jobs that they have done.

[madmmac]

It's not kind to bare feet unless you seal it. Once you seal it, you are stuck resealing it to keep it looking uniform.

I'd go with a smoother finish with an impregnated stain. You will have to reseal every few years though.

[vince3vince]

It looks good on driveways, not sure if I would put it in my backyard though.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Happs

I'm trying to come up with an affordable surface for a 700 square ft area in my small backyard and was wondering how reasonably priced , practical and desirable to a future buyer exposed aggregate would be? Pavers, artificial grass and stamped concrete are too expensive.

I just paid $3.70 installed for (Phoenix Pavers brand) paves. The cost of the pavers was $1.30 a sq foot. I had a total of 1150 sq foot installed. That was with the quarter minus dirt, sand, tamping, delivery, haul away, etc. I paid $1.90 a linear foot for boarders installed ($1.50 labor). I am delighted with their work. I had quotes for $6 a sq foot and $6 a linear foot for boarders. My guy did a great job.

I mention this because I don't see how exposed aggregate would be any less than $3.70 a sq foot for a 700 sq foot job. Delivery charges and the cost of labor goes up on a smaller concrete jobs.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by vince3vince

It looks good on driveways, not sure if I would put it in my backyard though.

I was thinking the same thing.