Honed concrete Gold Coast

Honed Concrete & Exposed Aggregate – Pool Surrounds, Patios, Paths & Stairs

Honed concrete on the Gold Coast is a smooth matt finish for pool surrounds, patios, paths and stairs. We grind the concrete back to reveal the stone, stop at a smooth matt finish and seal it. It's ideal for outdoor living across the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Northern NSW – around the pool, on the patio, down the path and up the stairs.

What is honed concrete?

Honed concrete is ground and smoothed, but not polished to a gloss. It has a satin to matt look and reflects much less light than polished concrete. It also tends to look a little lighter in colour. Because the surface isn't glassy, it's a better choice for outdoor and wet areas.

Exposed aggregate, the way we do it, means grinding the top of the slab off to show the stones inside the concrete. You can choose a light exposure or go all the way to full stone exposure.

Where does it suit?

Honing works well on pool surrounds, patios, alfresco areas and courtyards, paths and steppers, and stairs and steps. We also hone hob walls, block walls, brick walls and BBQ benches. It's a great way to refresh an old patio – grinding can bring tired concrete back to life.

"Brenden did a brilliant job of exposing our old concrete patio floor. He was excellent at communication and worked very hard to get the job done in a very short time span. We are really pleased with the how well the floor came up..." – Anna Bolton

Finish and sealer options

Exposure: light, partial or full stone exposure.

Honing level: we stop at a coarser grit for a natural finish with more grip than a gloss.

Sealer: a natural-look penetrating sealer that soaks in and keeps the raw look, or a topical sealer (such as water-based polyurethane) with a satin or matt finish.

Non-slip: a non-slip additive can be added to topical sealers for pool areas and steps.

Slip resistance matters around pools and stairs, so we'll recommend a finish that suits the area.

Our process

  1. Site visit – we check the concrete and agree on exposure and finish.
  2. Repairs – we patch holes and cracks.
  3. Grind and hone – we expose the stone and smooth it to your chosen finish, including edges, steps and nosings.
  4. Clean – we remove slurry and dust from the site.
  5. Seal – we apply a penetrating or topical sealer, with non-slip where needed.

Outdoor work depends on the weather – we'll plan around rain so the sealer goes down properly.

Caring for honed concrete outdoors

Hose down or sweep regularly – leaves and pool chemicals can stain if left sitting. Use a pH-neutral cleaner and avoid acid washing. Sealers wear faster outdoors because of sun and foot traffic, so plan to reseal from time to time. We're happy to advise when it's due.

Honed & exposed aggregate FAQs

Q: Is honed concrete safe around a pool?

A: Honed concrete is matt, so it's less slippery than polished concrete. With the right sealer and a non-slip additive, it's a popular choice for pool surrounds.

Q: Can you hone my existing patio?

A: Usually, yes. Most existing slabs can be honed, but patches, old coatings and past repairs can show through. We'll tell you honestly what to expect after inspecting it.

Q: What's the difference between honed and polished?

A: Polished is glossy and shows off the colour and detail of the stone. Honed is matt and smooth, and hides small scratches better. That makes honed better suited to high-traffic and outdoor areas.

Q: Can you do stairs and walls?

A: Yes – we've honed stairs, hob walls, block walls and brick walls.

Q: How much does hone and seal cost?

A: As a guide, hone and seal starts from $70/m². The final price depends on the condition and size of the area (stairs and edges take more time). Your free quote will give you the exact price.

Book a quote

Ready to refresh your pool area, patio or path? Book a free quote online or call Brendan on 0403 093 740.