Exposed Aggregate Concrete San Diego CA for patios, pool decks, and driveways
Exposed Aggregate Concrete San Diego CA gives you a textured, slip-resistant surface that stands up to salt air, intense sun, and heavy foot traffic. We install exposed aggregate concrete in San Diego California for pool decks, patios, driveways, and walkways, using locally proven mixes and proper sealing. Whether you're upgrading a La Jolla backyard or replacing a cracked Chula Vista driveway, we handle the whole job from base prep to final wash.
Service overview
Exposed Aggregate Concrete San Diego CA: what it is and why it works
Exposed Aggregate Concrete San Diego CA is a decorative concrete finish that washes away the top layer of cement paste to reveal the sand, gravel, and stone locked inside the mix. We pour a standard slab, then apply a surface retarder and pressure-wash the top 1/8 to 1/4 inch once the concrete sets. The result is a pebbled, tactile surface with natural color variation. Because the aggregate is part of the slab, not a coating, it will not peel or flake the way stamped overlays sometimes do. San Diego homeowners choose exposed aggregate concrete in San Diego California for pool decks and patios because it stays cooler underfoot than smooth concrete and grips well when wet. In coastal neighborhoods like Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach, salt air and morning marine layer can leave standard broom finishes slick. A properly sealed aggregate surface handles that moisture without turning into a slip hazard. If you have been searching for exposed aggregate concrete San Diego CA near me, we serve the whole county and can walk your property before you commit.
! Problems we solve
Sinking or uneven aggregate slabs
Water pools against the house, trip hazards form at joints, and the slab keeps dropping as the soil moves. Left alone, settlement leads to full replacement instead of a targeted repair.
Cracks and joint failure
Water gets into the cracks, expands during cool nights, and widens them season after season. Cracks at joints often mean the joint layout was wrong or the slab was poured too thin.
Spalling, efflorescence, and surface breakdown
The surface turns chalky, flakes off under foot, or shows white mineral deposits. This usually points to a bad mix, too much water during the pour, or a sealer that has worn through.
Scope of work
What our exposed aggregate concrete service includes
Every exposed aggregate job we quote includes the full sequence from demolition through final seal. We spell out the aggregate blend, exposure depth, joint layout, and seal product in writing. Add-ons like drainage, lighting conduit, or decorative borders get quoted separately so you can see exactly what each one costs.
-
01
Base prep and compaction
We remove the old surface, compact the subgrade, and build a 4-inch compacted base over native soil. Base prep is the single biggest factor in whether a slab cracks or settles. We verify slope with a laser level before forms go down, so water drains away from your house and pool.
-
02
Reinforcement and formwork
Rebar or wire mesh goes in on chairs so it sits mid-slab, not on the ground. Forms are set to finished grade with expansion joint material at every fixed boundary. For driveways we use #3 rebar on 18-inch centers, and we anchor to existing foundations with Simpson Strong-Tie hardware where the slab meets the house.
-
03
Aggregate pour and exposure wash
We pour a 4,000 psi mix with your chosen aggregate, screed and bull float the surface, then apply a surface retarder. Once the concrete reaches the right hardness, we pressure-wash the top paste away to expose the stone. Exposure depth is typically 1/8 to 1/4 inch, and we keep it consistent across the whole pour.
-
04
Joint cutting and sealing
We saw-cut control joints on a grid and install expansion joints at fixed boundaries. Once the slab is fully dry, we apply a penetrating concrete sealer rated for UV and chloride exposure. You get a written reseal schedule, usually every 3 to 5 years, or every 3 years for coastal properties.
Why San Diego homeowners choose exposed aggregate
Exposed aggregate solves three problems at once: it looks better than plain gray concrete, it grips when wet, and it holds up to San Diego's sun and salt air without constant repair.
Request a quoteTools and methods we use on every pour
Concrete mixer and pump truck
We mix to a consistent 4,000 psi design and pump the concrete to backyards and hillside patios that a chute truck cannot reach. That keeps the pour continuous and protects your landscaping from wheelbarrow traffic.
Bull float and power trowel
The bull float levels the fresh concrete and pushes aggregate down evenly before the retarder goes on. We use a power trowel only on smooth finishes; for exposed aggregate we hand-finish to keep the pebble profile consistent across the slab.
Concrete saw and groover
We cut control joints with a concrete saw once the slab has cured enough to walk on, usually 12 to 24 hours after the pour. Joints go on a grid so cracks happen where we plan them, not randomly across your patio or driveway.
Laser level and screed
A laser level verifies slope and finished grade before and during the pour. The screed strikes off the concrete to that grade. Together they are how we hit a 1/4-inch-per-foot drainage slope without guesswork.
Local execution
San Diego is a good climate for exposed aggregate, but it is not a forgiving one. Coastal neighborhoods from Ocean Beach to La Jolla deal with salt air and morning marine layer that keep surfaces damp for hours. Inland areas like El Cajon and Poway swing hotter in summer and see clay soil movement after winter rains. We adjust the mix and the sealer for each location. Coastal pours get a chloride-resistant admixture and a 3-year reseal schedule. Inland pours get extra attention to base compaction, because clay expands and contracts with moisture and will crack a slab that was poured over a weak base. We also work around San Diego's permitting timelines, which can run 2 to 4 weeks for structural work and less for flatwork replacements. If you need aggregate concrete San Diego CA open now for a repair or a quote, call us and we will tell you honestly what the schedule looks like.
How exposed aggregate concrete performs in San Diego
- • East Village
- • Point Loma
- • Rancho Bernardo
- • Chula Vista
Before & after
Available 24/7 for San Diego concrete questions
When you need an answer, we pick up
Concrete problems do not wait for business hours. If a slab has cracked, a driveway has settled, or water is pooling against your house after a storm, call us at +16192311616 and we will talk through it. We answer the phone 24/7, and for urgent calls we can usually get someone out to look at the property within 24 to 48 hours. Our crews run 4 to 6 people depending on the pour size, and our trucks carry the sealers, patching materials, and joint compound we need for most repairs. For larger jobs we schedule the pump and mixer in advance so the pour day is not a scramble. If you are comparing exposed aggregate company San Diego options, call and ask us the hard questions. We would rather tell you the truth up front than sell you a pour you do not need.
How our exposed aggregate installation process works
On-site evaluation
We walk the property, check drainage slope, and look at existing base conditions. If the old slab is sinking or has joint failure, we note it before quoting. You get a written scope with the aggregate color and exposure depth spelled out. This visit usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Demolition and base prep
We saw-cut and remove the old concrete, then compact the subgrade and verify slope with a laser level. A 4-inch compacted base goes down over native soil, and we set forms with expansion joint material against the house and any fixed structures. This stage runs 1 to 2 days on a typical 400-square-foot patio.
Formwork and reinforcement
We set 2x4 or 2x6 forms to the finished grade, then install rebar or wire mesh on chairs so it sits mid-slab. For driveways we use #3 rebar on 18-inch centers. Simpson Strong-Tie anchors tie the slab to existing foundations where required. You can walk the layout with us before we pour.
What exposed aggregate concrete costs in San Diego
Typical 2026 pricing for exposed aggregate in San Diego runs $12 to $22 per square foot installed, depending on access, demolition, and the aggregate blend you choose. A 400-square-foot patio usually lands between $4,800 and $8,800. We quote the full sequence, including base prep, reinforcement, pour, exposure wash, joint cutting, and the first seal. If you are comparing exposed aggregate services San Diego CA free estimate offers, make sure the other quotes include base prep and sealing, because those are the two line items that get cut first.
Square footage and access
Larger pours cost less per square foot because setup and mobilization spread across more area. Tight backyards, hillside lots, and courtyards that need a concrete pump add cost. A 300-square-foot patio in Hillcrest with street parking only will price higher per foot than a 1,000-square-foot open driveway in Santee.
Demolition and haul-off
Removing an existing slab adds $2 to $4 per square foot, including saw cutting, breaking, loading, and disposal fees. If the old slab is sound and we can pour over it with an overlay, that cost drops significantly. We always check the base before recommending replacement over resurfacing.
Aggregate blend and exposure depth
Standard local aggregate is the most affordable option. Imported stone, colored aggregate, and deeper exposure cost more because they use more material and take longer to wash. A light exposure is faster to finish than a full pebble profile, and the difference shows in the labor line.
Licensed, certified, and reviewed
Exposed aggregate concrete questions
How much does exposed aggregate concrete cost in San Diego CA?
Most residential exposed aggregate work in San Diego runs $12 to $22 per square foot installed in 2026, including base prep, pour, exposure wash, and sealing. A 400-square-foot patio typically lands between $4,800 and $8,800. Cost of exposed aggregate in San Diego California climbs with demolition, tight access, and custom aggregate blends, and drops on larger pours where we can spread setup costs.
How long does exposed aggregate last in San Diego?
A properly poured and sealed exposed aggregate slab lasts 25 to 30 years in San Diego's climate. The aggregate itself does not wear out; the sealer does. Plan on resealing every 3 to 5 years, or every 3 years within a mile of the coast. Cracking, spalling, and settlement are the real failure points, and proper base compaction and joint layout prevent most of them.
Who is the best exposed aggregate contractor in San Diego California?
Look for ACI Certification, a current California Contractor License (CSLB) status, and a portfolio of local pours you can drive past. Ask how they handle base prep and joint layout, because that is where most failures start. We have been pouring in San Diego County since 2019 and can show you recent work in your neighborhood before you decide.
Is exposed aggregate good for pool decks in San Diego?
Yes. Exposed aggregate is one of the best pool deck surfaces for San Diego because it grips when wet and stays cooler than smooth concrete. We pour with a slip-resistant texture that meets ADA recommendations and seal with a penetrating product that does not make the surface slick. For saltwater pools we add a chloride-resistant admixture to the mix.
Related services
Concrete Driveway Installation
An exposed aggregate driveway gives you a decorative surface that hides tire marks and stays grippy in rain. We pour driveways from 400 to 1,200 square feet with proper base prep and control joints, and we can match the aggregate to your walkway or entry for a consistent look across the front of the house.
Concrete Patio Installation
Exposed aggregate patios are one of our most requested jobs in San Diego. The textured surface stays cooler than gray concrete and handles patio furniture without showing scuffs. We pour patios with a 1/4-inch slope per foot away from the house and cut joints on a grid so cracks stay where they belong.
Get your Exposed Aggregate Concrete San Diego CA estimate
We have been pouring concrete in San Diego since 2019, and we stand behind every slab we finish. Call us, tell us what you are planning, and we will schedule a walkthrough at your property. You get a written scope with aggregate color, exposure depth, and pricing before any work starts.