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Exposed Aggregate Concrete Cost Calculator

Calculate exact cubic yards, 80-lb bags, and total material cost for your exposed aggregate project in seconds for free.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • Instant results

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How to use it

  1. Enter the length and width of your pour area in feet.
  2. Input the planned slab thickness in inches.
  3. Enter your local ready-mix price per cubic yard.
  4. Review your required cubic yards, cubic feet, 80-lb bags, and estimated cost.

Exposed aggregate delivers premium curb appeal, but decorative concrete leaves zero margin for ordering errors. Under-ordering ruins the pour with ugly cold joints, while over-ordering burns cash on specialty mix you cannot return. This calculator eliminates costly guesswork. It converts your slab dimensions directly into cubic feet, cubic yards, and the exact count of standard 80-lb bags needed (yielding 0.6 cubic feet per bag). It then applies your local supplier pricing so you see exact raw material costs before placing an order. Use the cubic yard total when ordering bulk ready-mix trucks for driveways, pool decks, and large patios. Use the bag count if you are hand-mixing smaller accent borders or steps. Knowing your exact numbers in advance gives you total control over material waste and subcontractor pricing.

Pro tips

  • Add a 10% waste allowance to account for uneven subgrades, form deflection, and site spillage.
  • Round up to the nearest quarter or half cubic yard when ordering from ready-mix batch plants.
  • Confirm whether your supplier quote includes the decorative aggregate mix and surface retardant or bills them as add-ons.
  • Never pour exposed aggregate under 4 inches thick for foot traffic or under 5 to 6 inches for driveways, as washing exposes stone and reduces effective slab depth.

Real-life examples

  • Pricing out materials for a full 2-car exposed aggregate driveway replacement.
  • Deciding between ordering ready-mix delivery or buying 80-lb bags for a decorative garden walkway.
  • Verifying material yardage and markup on a contractor's pool deck renovation bid.

Case study

Mark was quoted $4,800 for a 400-square-foot exposed aggregate patio. Unsure if the price made sense, he ran his dimensions (20x20 ft at 4 inches thick). The calculator showed he needed 4.94 cubic yards (about $740 in ready-mix). Armed with exact material numbers, he negotiated labor separately, sourced his own concrete, and saved $1,650 on the installation.

Frequently asked questions

How thick should exposed aggregate concrete be?
Pour exposed aggregate at least 4 inches thick for patios and walkways, and 5 to 6 inches thick for driveways carrying vehicle loads.
How many 80-lb bags of concrete make one cubic yard?
One cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet. Since one 80-lb bag yields about 0.6 cubic feet, you need 45 bags per cubic yard.
Is exposed aggregate concrete more expensive than standard concrete?
Yes. Exposed aggregate typically costs 20% to 30% more due to decorative stone selection, surface retardants, and pressure-washing wash-off labor.
Can I use regular 80-lb concrete bags for exposed aggregate?
Standard bags contain coarse, irregular construction gravel. For proper exposed aggregate finishes, use mixes specifically blended with decorative round pea gravel or river stone.
Why should I add 10% extra concrete to my order?
Subgrade ground is rarely perfectly level, forms bow outward under fluid weight, and washing the aggregate slurry consumes volume. A 10% buffer prevents cold joints.