Broom vs stamped vs exposed aggregate concrete

Why the finish matters

Every slab gets the same structure under it. The finish is the top fraction of an inch, put on while the concrete is still workable. It decides the look, how much grip you get when it's wet, how hot it feels barefoot, and whether you'll be resealing every few years.

Broom finish is our standard on every driveway. Everything else on this page is an upgrade we price on top of it.

The main finishes

Broom

A broom is dragged across the fresh concrete to leave fine ridges. It's the plain, gray finish you see on most DFW driveways and sidewalks. It gives good traction, hides tire marks reasonably well, and needs no special care. It's also the finish some cities require on the apron.

Stamped

Color is added, then the crew presses texture mats into the surface to look like stone, slate, brick or wood. It's the most decorative option and the most work. With us it includes sealer and takes 2-3 days on site instead of 1-2 for broom. It needs resealing every few years to keep the color and protect the surface. Sealed stamped concrete can get slick when wet, so ask for a non-slip additive in the sealer around pools and steps.

Exposed aggregate

The top layer of cement paste is washed off before it fully sets, leaving the stones in the mix showing. It has a pebbly, textured look, grips well when wet, and does a good job hiding dirt and small stains. It's a popular pool deck finish. It can feel rough on bare feet and is harder to sweep than broom. Many owners seal it to bring out the color of the stone.

Salt finish

Coarse salt is pressed into the fresh surface and washed out after it sets, leaving small pits. It's subtle and adds texture without a loud look. It's a common choice for pool decks because it gives traction and is easier on feet than heavy texture.

Integral color

Pigment is mixed into the concrete at the plant so the color runs all the way through. It works with broom, salt or stamped finishes. Because the color isn't just on top, a chip or scrape doesn't show bright gray underneath. Lighter colors stay cooler in the sun. Darker colors get hotter.

Side by side

Cost is shown relative to broom because decorative pricing varies a lot with pattern, color, layout and job size. Your estimate itemizes the upgrade.

Durability

The finish doesn't change the strength of the slab. Our standard build is the same under every finish: compacted base, 4" of 3,500 PSI concrete, rebar on 18" centers on chairs, and control joints. Read more in what goes into a good slab.

Where finishes differ is surface wear. Broom and exposed aggregate wear gracefully and don't depend on a coating. Stamped concrete leans on its sealer. When the sealer wears thin, the color can fade and the surface gets more exposed, so keeping up with resealing is part of owning it. Cracks are a fact of life on Texas clay for every finish. A crack in a plain broom slab tends to be less noticeable than one cutting across a stamped stone pattern.

Where each one fits

Driveways

Broom is the workhorse. It grips, it's cheap to maintain, and tires don't wear through a coating. Exposed aggregate is a good step up if you want texture without resealing pressure. Stamped driveways look great, but tires scuff the sealer faster than foot traffic does, so plan on more frequent resealing.

Patios

This is where stamped concrete and integral color make the most sense. Foot traffic is gentle on sealer, and a patio is where people want the look. Keep in mind that decorative pours mean no furniture for 7 days and the sealer needs 48 dry hours.

Pool decks

Traction comes first. Salt finish and exposed aggregate are the popular picks. If you want stamped around a pool, use a lighter color and a sealer with non-slip grit. Our patio and pool deck notes cover slope and joint layout around coping.

The apron

The apron at the street is built to city spec. Some cities, including Flower Mound and University Park, want plain broom finish there. So a decorative driveway may still end in a broom-finish apron. We check the city rules when we pull the permit. See the apron section for more.

How to decide

• If you want low cost, low upkeep and good grip, go broom.
• If you want texture and great wet traction without much resealing, go exposed aggregate.
• If you want a pool deck that's easy on feet and grips well, look at salt finish.
• If the look is the point and you'll keep up with sealer, go stamped, ideally on a patio.
• Add integral color to any of these if you want something warmer than gray. Go lighter where bare feet will be.

Want to see the price difference for your project? Start an estimate and mention the finish you're considering. We'll itemize it on a written estimate, usually within one business day. You can also get a ballpark for a broom driveway with the cost calculator.

Questions people ask