Underneath, an exposed aggregate driveway and a plain concrete driveway are built the same way: excavation, base, formwork, steel reinforcement, then a pour. The difference is what happens to the top few millimetres.
Plain concrete
A plain concrete driveway is screeded and trowelled to a smooth (or lightly broomed) finish. It is the most cost-effective option per square metre, and a broom finish gives reasonable grip underfoot. Its main downsides are cosmetic: tyre marks, dirt and minor staining show more readily on plain grey concrete, and it does not offer much visual interest.
Exposed aggregate
Exposed aggregate concrete has decorative stone mixed through it. After pouring, a surface retarder keeps the very top layer soft while the slab underneath sets, and the surface is washed back the next day to reveal the stone. The result is textured, generally more slip-resistant than a smooth finish, and better at disguising dirt and everyday wear.
It costs more than plain concrete — both the aggregate itself and the extra labour of the wash-back step add to the price — but a lot of homeowners consider the finish worth the difference, particularly on a driveway that is highly visible from the street.
Which one is right for you
If budget is the main driver and the driveway will mostly be seen by you, plain concrete does the job well. If the driveway is a prominent part of how the front of the house presents, or the surface needs to handle a slope or pool surrounds where grip matters more, exposed aggregate is usually the better fit.
Either way, the underlying build quality — base preparation, reinforcement, correct thickness — matters more to how long it lasts than which surface finish you choose. A well-built plain slab will always outlast a poorly-built decorative one.
