What are Decorative Aggregates

The Decorative aggregates including the granite chipping, gravel and shingle, slate mulches; rockery stone, monoliths and boulders are supplied for landscaping uses within municipal, domestic and commercial applications.

Decorative aggregates sands and chippings are equipped for construction industry uses including dry dash walling systems, terrazzo tiling and flooring systems, architectural cast stone, specialist and polymer concrete.

Decorative aggregates gravels are supplied for use within various surfacing applications including, gold path, and bitumen bound surface dressing. The aggregates are also equipped and supplied for resin bound systems within domestic, municipal and traffic management applications.

Decorative aggregates like ornamental aggregates such as colored glass chippings and polished pebbles are supplied for use both within the garden and around the home.

Upon choosing a decorative aggregates the color palette of the type of decorative stone that is used largely determines an exposed aggregate surface. Aggregate selection can also have a huge impact on the total cost of the project. Expensive aggregates are not always needed to accomplish impressive results.

The main factors to consider when selecting decorative aggregates are the color, hardness, size and gradation, shape, method of exposure, durability, cost and availability. The most famous and known aggregates are richly colored natural stones such as basalts, granite, quartz, or limestone. But one can also use manufactured materials such as recycled colored glass. Even seashells and some other fascinating objects can be seeded into the concrete surface. Natural aggregate varies extensively in color, size and shape.

The color of the natural decorative aggregates can vary widely depending on their geological origin. Selections range from delicate pastels such as pink or rose quartz, to rich hues such as dark blue or red granite to earth tones such as sandy brown river gravel, black basalt, and gray limestone.

Decorative aggregates size and shape fluctuate, too. The size, which can categorize anywhere from 3/8 inch to 2 inches or more in diameter, largely determines the depth of exposure. Aggregate shape contrives the surface pattern and texture. Rounded aggregates accommodate the best coverage and a smoother surface while angular aggregates add more texture and dimension. Avoid flat or sliver-shaped pieces; they don't hold well during the exposure operation and can dislodge easily. Take note also to avoid aggregates that contain substances that can stain the concrete, such as oxides and iron pyrites.

The decorative aggregates can be used in concrete counter parts, rather than be stuck with a plain concrete counter top; one can add some interest and beauty with aggregates. These aggregates can be as expensive or inexpensive as one likes, as well as be any material one can imagine.

Instructions on how to make a decorative aggregates one would like for ones concrete counter top. This may be a crushed glass, beads, marbles, pieces of ceramic, semi – precious stones or whatever strikes the trend or fancy. Next is to decide which method one would like to use for the decorative aggregates. One can put it into the forms before one pours the concrete, or mix it in with the concrete. The advantage of the second application is that the spacing of the aggregate will be more even. Then, select the method of placing the decorative aggregates into the form first when the aggregate is more expensive, because one will not have to use as much aggregate in the concrete counter top. One can even glue the aggregate to the bottom so it rises to the top in a specific pattern. Lastly, grind the surface of the concrete counter top to expose the aggregates, then polish and seal it.