Exposed aggregate, burnished and honed concrete for driveways, paths, slabs and entertaining areas, finished to suit the house and landscape.
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A good concrete driveway starts well below the surface. We excavate to firm ground, lay and compact a crushed rock base with a plate compactor, then set formwork and steel reinforcement mesh before any concrete arrives. From there we finish the slab the way you want it. That might be exposed aggregate with the stone washed back to show, coloured concrete with oxide mixed through, a stamped pattern that mimics stone or timber, or a clean broom finish for grip on a sloping block.
Conditions on the Mornington Peninsula shape how we build. Sandy coastal blocks near the bay drain fast but can shift if the base isn't compacted properly. The heavier clay soils up through the hinterland swell in wet winters and shrink over dry summers, and that movement is what cracks a poorly built slab. We plan our sawcut control joints and base depth around your soil type, and we watch the forecast closely. A sudden shower can mark a fresh surface, and a warm northerly can dry the top too fast and cause shrinkage cracks.
Maybe your old driveway has heaved where a tree root pushed through. Or the front path has gone green and slippery along the shady side of the house. We break out and remove failed concrete, fix the drainage that caused the problem, and pour a slab that suits your home. On sloping sites we often pair a new driveway with retaining walls to hold the cut. If you want a softer edge or a mixed look, we can blend concrete with paving and natural stone borders or entry features.
From excavation and base compaction to the final sealer coat
We check your soil type, existing levels and where water runs during heavy rain. Then we break out any old concrete, dig to firm ground and set the falls so water drains away from your garage and house.
We spread crushed rock in layers and compact each one with a plate compactor. Timber or steel formwork goes in to set the edges, and reinforcement mesh is placed on bar chairs so it sits within the slab rather than on the ground.
Concrete is placed, screeded to level and bull floated. For exposed aggregate we spray a surface retarder and wash the top back to reveal the stone. Stamped work gets colour hardener and release agent before the pattern mats go down.
Once the slab can take it, we sawcut control joints to guide any cracking into neat straight lines. The concrete is cured properly and then sealed to protect it from oil drips, salt air and moss.
Stronger slabs, safer paths and a better-looking frontage
A well-compacted base and planned control joints help your slab cope with clay that swells in winter and shrinks in summer. Any movement is far more likely to show up in the sawcuts rather than as random cracks across the middle of the driveway.
Exposed aggregate and broom finishes give good grip when paths stay damp for days at a time. Correct falls and drainage also mean less standing water, so moss and slime have a harder time taking hold on shady sections.
Coloured, stamped or exposed aggregate concrete can match the brick, render or weatherboard of your house. A tidy new driveway lifts the whole front of the property, whether you plan to stay or sell.
Sandy blocks near the coast and heavy clay in the hinterland need different base preparation. We assess your soil before quoting and build the subbase to suit, rather than using one approach for every site.
We handle the retaining, drainage, garden edges and paving around your driveway as well. You deal with one crew, and the levels and finishes line up properly from the street to the front door.
Peninsula weather can change within hours. We track forecasts, have covers ready, and use evaporation retarders on warm windy days so the surface finish isn't damaged by rain or rapid drying.
Water pooling against a garage or house wall causes problems for years. We set falls, add grated drains where needed and connect them to the right outlet as part of the job.
Common questions answered
Foot traffic can usually go on before cars, but the exact timing depends on the mix, the slab thickness and the weather during curing. Cool, damp weeks on the Peninsula slow curing, while warm days speed it up. We'll give you clear guidance for your job before we leave the site.
The main factors are the area, how much old concrete needs removing, site access for trucks and the finish you choose. Stamped and coloured finishes take more labour than plain or broom finishes. Sloping blocks that need extra drainage or retaining also add to the job, and we itemise all of this in your quote.
Both work well near the bay when they're sealed and maintained. Exposed aggregate tends to hide dirt and wear and gives good grip when wet. Stamped concrete gives a smoother decorative look, but it relies more on its sealer, so it needs resealing to keep its colour in salt air and sun.
Concrete shrinks as it dries, and clay soils move with the seasons, so some cracking is normal. We can't promise a crack-free slab, but a compacted base, correct reinforcement and well-placed sawcut joints guide most movement into straight lines where it's hard to see. Fast drying on windy days is another cause, so we manage curing closely.
It depends on the sealer type, how much sun the area gets and how heavily it's used. A driveway in full sun with daily car traffic wears faster than a shaded side path. When water stops beading on the surface or the colour looks dull, it's time to clean and reseal.
We provide Decorative Concrete & Driveways throughout the Mornington Peninsula, VIC and surrounding suburbs.
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