Color, texture, exposed aggregate
Decorative & Exposed Aggregate in Las Vegas
Gray isn't your only choice for a Las Vegas patio, walk or drive. We pour colored, textured and exposed aggregate slabs, and help you pick a color system that still looks right after years of sun.
Call us(725) 502-1499
Mon to Sat, 7am to 7pm. Closed Sunday.
What a decorative pour includes
On the same visit we look at the base, drainage, any slabs the new one must meet, and how much Las Vegas sun the spot takes, since that steers the color.
Ground and tie-in check
We check the ground and the existing slabs the new pour has to join cleanly.
Color system choice
Integral color, color hardener or both, weighed against how the slab will be used.
Texture or aggregate
A stone texture from flexible skins, a broom finish, or exposed stone at the surface.
Hand-tooled joint lines
Where a texture skin goes on, the joint lines are tooled in by hand afterward.
Planned control joints
Control joints are laid out so the cuts sit with the design instead of across it.
Sealer and care notes
You get our sealer recommendation and plain notes on keeping the color clean.
Why does colored concrete look duller after a few summers?
Concrete will darken over time due to grime and dirt, and on some slabs the color layer is thinner than people expect. New concrete is approx 40% Solar Reflectance (EPA figures). Plain concrete can drop to approx 25% after 5 years of dirt and grime. If the slab was colored the same will happen and the colors will look duller. Color hardener is a thin surface layer (approx 1/8 of an inch), so heavy traffic on a walkway can wear through to gray. If using integral color it will have full depth of color but starts out softer. Under the Las Vegas sun it's important to match the color system to the amount of traffic on the slab.
Worn walking paths
Color-hardened slabs can show gray where feet and tires grind the thin top layer away.
Small cone-shaped pits
Porous stones close to the surface swell with moisture and break out a small cone.
Integral color or color hardener: which suits your slab?
Look at a chipped corner or a cut edge. Color running all the way through means integral. A thin, bright skin over gray concrete means color hardener.
| What to compare | Integral color | Color hardener |
|---|---|---|
| Where the color sits | Mixed in at the plant, through the full depth | Dry-shake worked into the top, about 1/8 inch |
| How it looks | Softer, less saturated tone across the slab | The richest, most saturated color of any method |
| When it chips | Same color shows underneath, no gray | Deep chips or long wear can expose gray |
| Surface strength | Standard surface, no extra hardening on top | Densifies the wearing surface, a real durability gain |
| Used together | Often the base tone under a contrasting hardener | Often the accent layer over an integral base |
Decorative concrete questions in Las Vegas
Most people ask these before settling on a finish. Text a photo of the area and any look you like, and we'll reply.
What is an exposed aggregate driveway?
It's a concrete driveway with the top film of cement paste taken off so the stone inside shows. The stone is either part of the mix or seeded onto the fresh surface, then washed out to reveal it. Expect it to be priced as an add-on over a plain pour.
Does lighter concrete stay cooler underfoot?
In the Las Vegas sun, lighter concrete reflects more and heats up less. New concrete will reflect around 40% of the sun. If using white cement in the mix it can go up to over 70%. This will fade however over time due to dirt. We won't promise a specific degree figure.
Can I get a stone look without stamped grout lines?
Yes. Using a flexible texture skin will give a natural stone/wood texture without cutting grout lines the way a rigid stamp does. If you want joints then we can hand tool them in. It will look less stamped, more like laid stone.
Will colored concrete show gray if it chips?
This will depend on how it has been colored. If it has been integral colored it will chip the same color. If it has been colored using a hardener it will chip to show gray as it is only in the top eighth of an inch. If it is a driveway ask which.
What causes small cone-shaped pits in a slab?
These are pop-outs. A porous stone near the surface soaks up moisture, and when that water freezes it expands and breaks off a cone of concrete, leaving a small crater with the stone at the bottom (NRMCA's CIP 40 sheet). They can be patched, but color matching takes care.
What drives the price of decorative concrete here?
Mainly the finish. Exposed aggregate will be an extra charge. Integral color will have pigment through every yard of concrete, hardener will create extra work and texture skins with hand-tooled joints add labor. Text us a photo and we can give you a price for your area.
Picking a color for a new slab?
Look at samples outside in full Las Vegas afternoon sun, and remember lighter tones reflect more heat. Check your HOA's color rules, then call us to talk it through.
Call us(725) 502-1499