Exposed Aggregate Mandurah: The Peel Region's Favourite Driveway Finish

Why Exposed Aggregate Is Mandurah's Go-To Driveway Finish

If you have driven through Meadow Springs, Lakelands or Singleton lately, you have probably noticed exposed aggregate on nearly every second driveway. At Peel Concreters, we pour more exposed aggregate driveways across Mandurah and the Peel region than any other finish, and there is a good reason for that. It is slip-resistant, handles the coastal UV hammering we get down here, and looks sharp for decades when it is done properly.

This post walks you through exactly how we do it, what goes into a quality job, and what you can expect to pay in 2026.

What Makes a Quality Exposed Aggregate Job

Not all exposed aggregate is equal. The finish you see on the surface is only part of the story. What sits underneath determines whether your driveway is still looking good in fifteen years or cracking by year five.

The Concrete Mix

We source our concrete from suppliers including Holcim, Boral, Hanson and BGC, depending on availability and site requirements. For residential driveways in Mandurah, we typically specify a 25 MPa mix with a 10 mm or 14 mm aggregate blend.

The aggregate itself, usually a river pebble or coloured stone blend, gets selected based on what the homeowner wants visually and how much foot traffic or vehicle load the surface will take.

Steel Reinforcement and Mesh

Every exposed aggregate concrete driveway we lay includes SL72 steel mesh on plastic chairs, sitting at the correct depth through the slab. This is non-negotiable for us. Some operators skip proper chair height or use under-spec mesh to save time. We do not.

On larger pours or sites with reactive clay, we upgrade to SL82 mesh or add bar reinforcement at the joins. The Mandurah and Peel region has a mix of sandy coastal soils and reactive clay ground depending on the suburb, and we account for that in the design.

Our Step-by-Step Process

Here is how a typical exposed aggregate driveway job runs from start to finish with Peel Concreters.

Step 1: Site Prep and Formwork

We set up the formwork to the correct falls, typically a minimum 1:100 fall away from the house and toward the street. The subgrade gets compacted properly, and we check for any services before we dig. If you are working in the verge or near the street, we always call Dial Before You Dig on 1100 first.

Step 2: Mesh and Reinforcement Placement

Mesh goes in on chairs at roughly 40 to 50 mm from the bottom of the slab. For a standard 100 mm thick driveway slab, that puts the steel right where it needs to be to resist tensile cracking.

Step 3: The Pour

We order the mix from the batch plant and pour, screed and float the surface. Timing matters here because the retarder we apply to the surface needs to go on at the right stage of the pour to work correctly.

On some canal estate blocks in places like Halls Head or Port Bouvard, access for the truck is tight. In those cases we bring in a concrete pump so we can place the concrete precisely without compromising the pour quality.

Step 4: Applying the Surface Retarder

Once the concrete is screeded and floated, we apply a chemical surface retarder to the top. This slows the cure of the top few millimetres while the body of the slab sets up underneath.

Step 5: Washing to Expose the Aggregate

At the right time, usually the following morning, we come back and wash the surface with a pressure washer to remove the retarded cement paste and reveal the aggregate below. Timing this wash correctly is one of the most important skills in the job. Too early and you wash too deep. Too late and the paste has hardened and you damage the stones.

Step 6: Curing

After the wash, the slab continues to cure for a minimum of seven days. We advise homeowners to keep vehicles off for at least five to seven days and foot traffic to a minimum for the first 24 to 48 hours after the wash.

Step 7: Sealing

Sealing is a separate step and is quoted separately from the pour. We apply a penetrating or surface sealer depending on the finish and the client's preference. A good seal protects the aggregate, brings out the colour and makes the surface easier to clean long-term. We recommend resealing every three to five years in the Mandurah coastal environment.

Our guide on The Advantages of Choosing a Concrete Driveway for your Peel Property covers the broader benefits of concrete over other surfaces if you want more context before you decide.

Mandurah-Wide Coverage and Local Knowledge

Peel Concreters works across all of Mandurah and the wider Peel region. We cover established suburbs like Falcon, Greenfields and Halls Head, and the fast-growing new estates in Lakelands, Coastal, Madora Bay and Riverside Gardens.

Each area has its own ground conditions. Sandy coastal soils near the beach suburbs tend to be free-draining and relatively stable. Heavier reactive clay ground is more common as you move inland toward Ravenswood or Furnissdale, and that affects how we prep the subgrade and what reinforcement we specify.

We also do regular work in San Remo, where block sizes in the newer stages are tighter and access requires more careful planning. If you want to see the kind of work we do in that area, check out our concreting work in San Remo.

What Does Exposed Aggregate Cost in Mandurah in 2026?

Exposed aggregate sits at the mid-range of the concrete finishes we offer. Here is a realistic guide to what you will pay for a supplied and laid job in the Mandurah area in 2026.

These prices are supplied and laid and include steel reinforcement, mesh, chairs and setup. They do not include the following items, which are quoted separately.

• Earthworks and excavation
• Removal and disposal of an existing slab
• Acid washing and sealing
• Concrete pump hire where site access requires it

Pump hire typically adds $400 to $700 to a job, depending on the pour size and how far the pump needs to reach. If your block has a tight laneway or you are on a canal estate, that cost is usually worth it for the quality of placement you get.

Council Crossover Rules in Mandurah

If your exposed aggregate driveway extends to the road, you are dealing with the City of Mandurah's crossover requirements. A residential crossover needs to sit slightly higher at the property boundary than where it meets the road, so rain flows away from the house, not toward it.

You also need to keep your crossover clear of street trees, power poles and other verge assets. Check clearances with the City before you pour. The City of Mandurah may offer a contribution toward a first residential crossover, so confirm current eligibility before the work starts.

You can contact the City of Mandurah on 08 9550 3777 or at council@mandurah.wa.gov.au. And as we mentioned above, call Dial Before You Dig on 1100 before any excavation work in the verge.

Why Homeowners Choose Peel Concreters

The Peel Region's leading concreting company. We have been pouring concrete across Mandurah and the Peel region for years, and our local reputation and Google reviews reflect the consistent results we deliver. Every job gets the same attention to mix spec, reinforcement and finish, whether it is a 30 m2 side path or a 120 m2 double driveway in a new Lakelands estate.

We use quality-batched concrete from suppliers like Holcim and Hanson, we do not cut corners on mesh or subgrade prep, and we are upfront about what your job will cost before we start.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does exposed aggregate typically cost in Mandurah?

In 2026, exposed aggregate runs between $135 and $145 per square metre supplied and laid. A standard 60 m2 driveway works out to roughly $8,100 to $8,700. That price includes steel mesh, reinforcement and setup but excludes earthworks, sealing and pump hire where needed. Sites with reactive clay ground or difficult access will sit toward the higher end.

What concrete finish holds up best near the Mandurah coast and canals?

Both exposed aggregate and honed concrete perform well in coastal and canal environments when properly sealed. Exposed aggregate has a natural texture that handles UV without fading as visibly as coloured concrete can. The key is quality sealing on installation and a reseal every three to five years given the salt air and intense summer UV we get in this part of WA.

How long does an exposed aggregate driveway take to complete?

The pour itself takes one day. We return the following morning to wash the surface and expose the aggregate. The slab then cures for a minimum of seven days before it is ready for vehicle use. Sealing is booked as a separate visit after the curing period. From first day on site to sealed and done, allow around ten to fourteen days in total.

Do I need council approval for a driveway or crossover in Mandurah?

If your driveway connects to the road through the verge, you need to comply with City of Mandurah crossover rules. This covers the drainage fall, position relative to verge assets, and clearances. Contact the City of Mandurah on 08 9550 3777 or at council@mandurah.wa.gov.au before you start. A first residential crossover may attract a City contribution, so check eligibility early.

Ready to Get Started?

If you are planning an exposed aggregate driveway in Mandurah or anywhere across the Peel region, we would love to help you get it right. Get a free quote from our team today, or call us directly on 08 9560 7000. Peel Concreters is on the ground locally, and we will give you a straight answer on what your job needs.