If you’re choosing a new driveway for a Melbourne home, exposed aggregate comes up quickly. It looks smart, wears well and suits both new builds and renovations. But is the extra upfront spend worth it over time? This guide walks you through costs, performance, appearance, maintenance and when it truly makes sense, so you can decide whether or not an exposed aggregate driveway works for your home (and your budget).
What You’re Paying For
Exposed aggregate isn’t a different material but a different finish. After the pour, the surface paste is washed back to reveal decorative stone. That extra handling is part of the premium. A few practical factors shape the final price:
Base & Access: Sub-base preparation, removing an old slab, tight access or extra excavation all add labour and cartage.
Thickness & Reinforcement: A slightly thicker slab and steel mesh improve durability and reduce cracking risk.
Aggregate Selection: Readily available stone blends keep costs steady; rare stones or complex colour mixes lift the quote.
Detail & Drainage: Borders, steps, channel drains, and saw-cut patterns take longer to set out and finish.
Sealer Quality: Better sealers cost more but protect colour, limit staining, and simplify cleaning.
Compared to plain concrete, you’ll typically pay more for the expose and wash-off process. While the material costs may be similar to pavers, you avoid long-term issues like weeds and settlement. Of course, asphalt is often cheaper on day one, yet it rarely matches the finish or long-term presentation of a well-installed exposed aggregate concrete driveway.
Key Considerations
How It Performs in Melbourne’s Climate
Melbourne’s weather can swing from wet to hot in a single day. The textured surface of exposed aggregate gives natural grip during downpours, which helps on sloped blocks and busy garage approaches. Choose lighter stone blends and you’ll reflect more heat than dark asphalt, making it much nicer underfoot in summer. When sealed, the surface resists leaf tannins and everyday marks, which matters after windy weekends and heavy garden use.
Performance depends on the installation. Correct falls to drains, a compacted sub-base, sensible control-joint spacing, and patient curing are the quiet details that keep exposed aggregate driveways in Melbourne looking good ten years on.
Kerb Appeal and Resale Value
A driveway sits front-and-centre on the façade. Exposed aggregate looks and feels premium because of its natural stone texture and subtle colour variation. It can modernise a 1970s brick veneer or add polish to a new architectural build without shouting for attention. If you plan to sell in the next few years, that lift in first impressions helps with photos, open-home presentation and, often, buyer confidence.
Maintenance and Lifetime Costs
Day-to-day care is simple: hose it down for dust; use a gentle pressure wash for stubborn dirt. The key scheduled task is resealing every few years. A good sealer preserves colour, improves stain resistance and helps water bead and run off. Compared to re-levelling drifting pavers or refreshing faded asphalt, resealing is modest in cost and disruption.
Here’s a brief comparison with other more common surfacing options:
- Plain concrete: Lower upfront cost, but stains and patchy wear can date it, and repairs are often visible.
- Asphalt: Quick and economical to install, but benefits from periodic rejuvenation coats and runs hotter in summer.
- Pavers: Attractive initially; joints invite weeds and sections can settle over time, requiring re-levelling.
- Exposed aggregate: Mid-to-upper initial cost with steady presentation over time; resealing is the main recurring line item.
When you balance installation, presentation, and upkeep across 10–15 years, exposed aggregate is often the lower-maintenance path.
Design and Aesthetics That Age Well
One strength of exposed aggregate is flexibility. A modern exposed aggregate concrete driveway in pale granite tones can carry a minimalist façade; warmer, earthier mixes sit comfortably against brick and weatherboard. Coloured exposed aggregate lets you coordinate with roofing, fences or stonework without resorting to stark dyes. Restraint is your friend: simple saw-cuts, a crisp border in plain concrete, and a controlled palette tend to age more gracefully than loud contrasts.
If you want your driveway to look current without dating quickly, aim for natural stone colours, balanced texture and a sealer that enhances rather than glosses excessively.
Safety and Everyday Practicality
The texture is not just for show. It provides dependable footing on slopes and in high-traffic zones around garages and side paths. For households with trolleys, prams, pets and bikes, that built-in grip quietly reduces slips in wet weather. It’s a practical upgrade over smooth concrete, without the visual clutter of heavy broom finishes.
When the Upgrade Makes Sense
Choose exposed aggregate when the driveway is a visible part of the façade, when you plan to hold the property long enough to enjoy the low maintenance, or when the site needs dependable traction. It also earns its place when you want continuity between the driveway, paths and alfresco areas by repeating the same aggregate blend.
You may opt for plain concrete if the driveway is hidden from street view and budget is the top priority. Asphalt still suits long, utility-focused runs where a neat, cost-effective surface matters more than appearance. Pavers can be justified for intricate patterns or heritage cues, provided you accept the extra upkeep.
Getting a Quote
To compare quotes fairly, ask every contractor to detail:
- Sub-base preparation and compaction approach.
- Slab thickness and reinforcement details.
- Aggregate blend name and any colour oxides.
- Control-joint layout and spacing.
- Drainage inclusions and edge treatments.
- Sealer brand, type and recommended reseal cycle.
Large price gaps usually trace back to thinner slabs, lighter reinforcement, cheaper sealers or missing drainage. A transparent scope helps to protect both your budget and the final result.
Should You Choose Exposed Aggregate?
Is a modern exposed aggregate driveway worth it in Melbourne? For many homes, yes. You pay a little more at installation for a premium surface that handles wet weather, temperature swings, offers sure footing, and asks for only modest care.
If street presence and longevity matter, exposed aggregate is a sensible, good-looking choice that continues to earn its keep every time you pull in.
To explore blends, detailing options and realistic budgets for your site, speak with a local specialist for examples and guidance tailored to Melbourne conditions.