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This 24 in. square exposed aggregate step stone is an easy way to add textural character to your yard. When creating a path or walkway you can lay these step stones down quickly providing you with a stable surface for everyday outdoor tasks.
- (29)
- Mutual Materials
- $15.98
Today, most contractors expose aggregate by spraying a chemical surface retarder onto the slab surface after placing and finishing. Other methods include brushing and washing or abrasive blasting.
- Overview
- Installing Concrete Forms
- Pouring, Leveling, and Smoothing
- Curing, Cutting, and Sealing
A list of materials and a tutorial for pouring exposed aggregate concrete slabs, paths, or walkways
This article is helpful to anybody who wants to pour exposed aggregate concrete at home or for commercial use. It will explain the proper procedure and list all the necessary materials. This decorative concrete is generally more expensive to have done by a company so doing it yourself can save you lots of money.
Build concrete forms out of 2x4s or 2x6s. Level and compact the dirt or gravel within the forms.
Pour the concrete into the forms then smooth and level it out with a 2x4 and a tool called a bull float.
Apply a surface retarder, cover the concrete with plastic, let it cure for up to 24 hours, then remove the plastic and the forms.
Cut the concrete into sections to prevent cracking, then seal it.
This box will hold the concrete in place until it is fully cured. It is important it is symmetrical and nailed together properly because your concrete pad will resemble this box.
Use 2x4s in order to obtain 4 inch thick concrete.
Use 2x6s in order to obtain 6 inch thick concrete.
To make a curved shape pad, you must use a more flexible kind of wood.
Place the box in the designated area.
This area must be relatively flat.
Pour the concrete into your forms.
This step can be tricky depending on where your pad is. It is easy if a concrete truck can reach the pad with its' chute, but if not you will have to use a wheel barrow or power buggy to move the concrete from the truck to the forms.
The concrete must be poured quickly so you have time to move it into place while it is still wet.
Essentially, screeding is leveling out the top of the concrete. Run a strait board on the top of your forms across the concrete, if there is a large pile-up, have someone rake back the pile so you can proceed with the screed process.
It is best to have one person on each side of the screed board and pull back the concrete simultaneously.
If your pad is too large or not in a position to be screeded from the outside, one person or both people must stand inside the pad and do your best to run the board along the 2x4s.
Spray the surface with retarder.
Once you have finished the top and it is smooth with no lines or air holes, it is time to spray it with a chemical retarder. The retarder chemical will keep the top layer of concrete wet while it lets the core harden.
Try to disperse it evenly amongst the surface. Making one spot wetter than another will cause that spot to give away faster and potentially cause holes in the washing away process.
Cover the whole surface with nylon plastic.
The surface must be covered after the retarder is sprayed in order to lock in moisture, prevent wind from drying out the top, and to keep it out of direct sunlight.
Make sure your plastic is big enough to cover the whole pad with some wiggle room so you can weigh it down along the edge.
How to pour exposed aggregate concrete steps and borders!
- 7 min
- 73K
- GRUBB MUDD
Making an Exposed Aggregate Concrete Path: I love working with concrete because it's tough and versatile and relatively cost effective. In this instructable I'll be jazzing up a new footpath by exposing the aggregate.
Get perfect exposed aggregate finishes every time with the best techniques and products in the industry. Concrete experts share how to get great results!
Jan 22, 2015 · This video shows a step by step process on how an exposed aggregate walkway and steps are completed
- 6 min
- 74.7K
- Crooked Finger Productions
