Is honed concrete the same as exposed aggregate?

No. Exposed aggregate is washed so the stone stands proud of the surface and feels rough. Honed concrete is ground flat, so the stone is cut level with the surface and feels smooth.

Which is better for a driveway, exposed aggregate or honed?

Both work. Exposed aggregate has the most grip and hides tyre marks well. Honed is smoother, easier to sweep and has a cleaner, more modern look. We suggest based on slope, use and the look you want.

Can an exposed aggregate driveway be honed later?

Often, yes, if the slab is sound. Grinding takes the stone down flat and turns it into a honed aggregate finish. We check the slab first.

Exposed aggregate vs honed and polished concrete

Three finishes show the stone in the concrete, and they get mixed up constantly. Around Bunbury and the South West we are asked for "exposed aggregate" when the photo someone is holding is actually honed. This is the difference.

Honed aggregate and exposed aggregate concrete side by side

How each one is made

Exposed aggregate. The slab is poured, and before it fully hardens the thin layer of cement paste on top is washed or retarded away. The stone is left standing slightly proud. The surface is textured and feels pebbly underfoot.
Honed aggregate. The slab is left to cure, then ground with diamond abrasives until the stone is cut flat and level with the surface. The result is smooth and matte, with the stone showing as flat sections. See honed concrete.
Polished aggregate. The same grind, taken through finer grits until it has a sheen. This is polished concrete with a full stone exposure, and it belongs indoors.

Grip, cleaning and look

	Exposed aggregate	Honed aggregate	Polished aggregate
Feel	Rough, pebbly	Smooth, flat	Smooth, glossy
Grip when wet	Highest	Good with the right sealer	Lowest, indoor only
Cleaning	Dirt sits in the texture, needs a hose and brush	Sweeps and mops easily	Mops easily
Look	Traditional, busy	Modern, calm	Modern, reflective
Bare feet	Can be harsh	Comfortable	Comfortable

Where each one belongs

Driveways and sloped paths. Exposed aggregate is the safe default on a steep drive. On a flatter block, a honed concrete driveway is smoother to walk on, easier to keep clean and reads as a cleaner surface.

Pool surrounds and alfresco. Honed wins here for most people. It is flat enough to be comfortable barefoot and matte enough to avoid glare, and the sealer is chosen for grip. If you want a pale, soft look instead of visible stone, liquid limestone is the other option.

Indoor floors. Polished aggregate for a glossy, stone-rich floor, or a lighter grind if you want less stone. Exposed aggregate has no place inside.

Honed aggregate concrete at a pool surround

One slab, planned for the finish

The stone you see is the stone in the mix, so the finish needs to be decided before the pour. We pour and finish as one crew, which means the slab is placed with the right mix and surface for the finish you have chosen. For a side-by-side of the ground finishes, see polished vs honed vs burnished concrete.

Where we work: Bunbury and the South West of Western Australia.

Common questions

Is honed concrete the same as exposed aggregate?: No. Exposed aggregate is washed so the stone stands proud of the surface and feels rough. Honed concrete is ground flat, so the stone is cut level with the surface and feels smooth.
Which is better for a driveway, exposed aggregate or honed?: Both work. Exposed aggregate has the most grip and hides tyre marks well. Honed is smoother, easier to sweep and has a cleaner, more modern look. We suggest based on slope, use and the look you want.
Can an exposed aggregate driveway be honed later?: Often, yes, if the slab is sound. Grinding takes the stone down flat and turns it into a honed aggregate finish. We check the slab first.