ExpsedAggPics

These pictures were taken on various dates. The project we undertook was completed over a period of one spring and summer. Each exposed aggregate pour was done seperately, for a total of 12 pours. Many of these were taken on the final pour, specifically for this web page. Others were taken simply as keepsake records of the work. The author appears in three of the photos, along with his family members who contributed greatly to the overall success of the project.

The 'forms' you see in these pictures are actually concrete 'curbs' that had been previously cast, and are part of the finished product. This made it quite important that the final exposed aggregate surface was level with the 'forms'. For the most part, this was fairly easily accomplished, although a few spots escaped my attention, and resulted in small ridges where the exposed aggregate met the exisiting surface. More importantly, there are a few spots where I had not yet discovered the importance of screeding thouroughly, and there are small low spots, which hold rain water to a depth of about 1/8". With a little attention to detail, and the knowledge of what to look for, these small flaws can be avoided. The work you put into site preparation (grading and flattening) pays off in spades.

You can click on each image to open a full size view.

Prepared for the pour.

Most of the concrete poured, with some screeded along the way.

Screeding the wet concrete.

Trowelling the wet concrete to bring up the cream.

Now, wait for the concrete to set, just to the point of losing the surface water.

Seeding the concrete with the pea-gravel.

Carefully spread the pea-gravel onto the surface, eliminating any bare spots or piles that can't be pressed into the concrete. (I just had to get one more exposure from the roll of film)

After spreading with the brushes, start rolling the gravel into the wet concrete.

Once the gravel is sufficiently pressed into the concrete, the roller will lift some cream as it rolls.

This roller was home-made out of concrete and some scrap metal

This is a section of concrete, partly seeded, partly pressed and rolled, and partly too wet to seed. You should try to avoid this circumstance, however this picture does illustrate the different stages of completion, and what each stage looks like.

The finale! The drama of exposing the colourful aggregate from under its cloud of cement and sand, using a fine spray and gentle brushing.

Back to Text

Prepared for the pour.	Most of the concrete poured, with some screeded along the way.	Screeding the wet concrete.
Trowelling the wet concrete to bring up the cream.	Now, wait for the concrete to set, just to the point of losing the surface water.	Seeding the concrete with the pea-gravel.
Carefully spread the pea-gravel onto the surface, eliminating any bare spots or piles that can't be pressed into the concrete. (I just had to get one more exposure from the roll of film)	After spreading with the brushes, start rolling the gravel into the wet concrete.	Once the gravel is sufficiently pressed into the concrete, the roller will lift some cream as it rolls. This roller was home-made out of concrete and some scrap metal
This is a section of concrete, partly seeded, partly pressed and rolled, and partly too wet to seed. You should try to avoid this circumstance, however this picture does illustrate the different stages of completion, and what each stage looks like.	The finale! The drama of exposing the colourful aggregate from under its cloud of cement and sand, using a fine spray and gentle brushing.

Prepared for the pour.

Most of the concrete poured, with some screeded along the way.

Screeding the wet concrete.

Trowelling the wet concrete to bring up the cream.

Now, wait for the concrete to set, just to the point of losing the surface water.

Seeding the concrete with the pea-gravel.

Carefully spread the pea-gravel onto the surface, eliminating any bare spots or piles that can't be pressed into the concrete. (I just had to get one more exposure from the roll of film)

After spreading with the brushes, start rolling the gravel into the wet concrete.

Once the gravel is sufficiently pressed into the concrete, the roller will lift some cream as it rolls.

This roller was home-made out of concrete and some scrap metal

This is a section of concrete, partly seeded, partly pressed and rolled, and partly too wet to seed. You should try to avoid this circumstance, however this picture does illustrate the different stages of completion, and what each stage looks like.

The finale! The drama of exposing the colourful aggregate from under its cloud of cement and sand, using a fine spray and gentle brushing.