Broom Finish vs. Exposed Aggregate Concrete Pool Deck

[KatBat]

Does anyone have experience with either (or both) of these materials? Broom finish is cheaper and more simple-looking, but I mean in terms of roughness on the feet, durability (and how well it ages), ease of cleaning, etc. The PB says he has aggregate and probably wouldn't get it again, because loose pebbles end up in the pool, but the sales agent for the deck company is strongly urging us to go with aggregate because he says the broom finish ends up looking like a dirty sidewalk.

Thanks!

 

[smracing]

I had exposed aggregate and at 30 years old, it started coming apart. I don't care for the look of brushed or exposed aggregate so I went with dyed and stamped when I remodeled.

 

[duanebe]

I'm in the same situation... getting ready to pour 1200 square feet of deck myself in the next couple of weeks... and I think I'm settling for a broom finish and may apply a stain afterwards to give it some more visual appeal.

I really wanted to stamp it, but the cost to buy the stamps, release agent, etc. easily adds thousands to my DIY project and I can't justify it or afford it.

 

[pushin glass]

Exposed aggregate is very rough on the feet and will get extremely hot if in full sun (which may be a benefit in NH but is nasty in MS). A broomed finish will dirty some over time, but this can be mitigated by sealing it and periodic pressure washing or cleaning with bleach or muriatic acid. Dyed and stamped is another good option but costs more money.

Our old deck was exposed aggregate and was really hard and painful on bare feet because it was both rough and hot. It was around forty years old and was dirty and stained in areas (pictures in the thread below). We elected to do a broomed finish this go around. It does have a slightly more industrial look, but I think looks really great and is very pleasant to walk on with bare feet. Also, with our coping, pool finish, and brick wall, you hardly even notice the concrete deck.

Concrete pool renovation - PebbleSheen, glass tiles, etc.

 

[rmturner54]

I like the broom finish, simple, looks goods, not slippery and easy on the feet

 

[Richard320]

My deck has what I think is called Salt finish. It gives reasonable traction when wet.

 

[ctrav]

I decided to go with EA based on my PB recommendation and seeing his last 4 projects. For me the look of the EA will work well with what we are doing and it helps keep the cost down on 11,000sf of decking. Also my PB uses a guy that ha a technique when applying the EA that makes the surface fairly smooth and not rough. Yes I am sure it will get hot in this Texas heat but then again almost anything will and thats why we have a pool. My hope is that it will compliment the flagstone...I should be able to put up picks within the next two weeks...

 

[Razorhog]

Broom finish around mine, I like it. Pressure wash to make it look nearly new every few years. Easy to sweep. Good traction. Friend of mine got some sort of smooth stained concrete and it is VERY slippery when wet and barefoot.

 

[Sparker]

I have EA. It does get really hot, and it's not a smooth finish.....but I do like how it goes with my house. I just wear shoes to get to the steps. We were getting little pebbles in the pool, but after powerwashing and sealing....all is good. I like it I can't wait to see how yours turns out!

 

[ap2002]

we went with Exposed Aggregate, our PB cost was $1 more per sq/ft from regular concrete.... ours is only 1yr old and we don't regret it.... we only have about 3ft wide all the way around the pool of EA and when swimming kids keep it wet so the "hot" has been an issue for us, the rest of the EA is under the patio so it stays shaded.... as of now with it being one year old we had not had issues with rocks making its ways to the pool,.... our deck guy said that it all depends on the stone/rock they use for the EA,

 

[KatBat]

Thanks everyone for the response. I definitely like the visual flair of exposed aggregate, but the simplicity of broom finish doesn't bother me. We absolutely want to be able to walk around barefoot (comfortably). I was surprised that the deck builder was so strongly against the broom finish, especially since an occasional power wash doesn't seem like much of a con, so I'm glad for all the input! The EA is also $3-$4 more per square foot, so to stay within a reasonable budget we'd probably end up with a smaller deck to go that route.