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Calcimator

Exposed Aggregate Calculator

Calculate retarder, sealer, decorative aggregate, and concrete for exposed aggregate finishes.

Inputs

%

Results

Total project cost ($)

$2,841.56

≈ 22 pairs of sneakers

Cost per sq ft ($)$7.10
Concrete (cu yd)5.43
Surface retarder (gal)2.2
Seed aggregate (lbs)0
Sealer (gal)5
Wash-off water (gal)300
Material cost ($)$1,241.56
Labor cost ($)$1,600.00
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the surface area in sq ft and the slab thickness in inches (standard is 4 in for residential flatwork).
  2. Choose the exposure depth: 1=light reveal (1–2 mm), 2=medium (3–5 mm), or 3=heavy/deep (5–8 mm).
  3. Select the method: 1=integral aggregate (in the mix), 2=seeded aggregate (broadcast onto the fresh surface).
  4. Read Concrete (cu yd) and, for seeded work, Seed Aggregate (lbs) to finalize your material order.
  5. Note Surface Retarder (gal) — apply this to the fresh surface immediately after placing to delay paste hardening.
  6. Use Total Project Cost and Cost per Sq Ft to prepare customer bids.

How the result changes with Surface area (sq ft)

Surface area (sq ft)Total project cost ($)
5,001$35,526.66
17,501$124,325.55
32,500$230,877.11
45,000$319,675.99

What each input means

Surface area (sq ft)
Total area for exposed aggregate finish.
Slab thickness (inches)
Standard slab thickness for driveways, patios, or walkways.
Exposure depth (1-3)
1 = light reveal (1-2mm), 2 = medium (3-5mm), 3 = heavy/deep (5-8mm).
Method (1-2)
1 = integral aggregate (in the mix), 2 = seeded aggregate (broadcast onto surface).
Waste factor (%)
Material overage for waste and irregular areas.

What each result means

Total project cost ($)
Combined material and labor cost.
Cost per sq ft ($)
All-in cost per square foot.
Concrete (cu yd)
Ready-mix concrete volume including waste.
Surface retarder (gal)
Surface retarder to delay top-paste cure for wash-off.
Seed aggregate (lbs)
Decorative aggregate for seeding method (0 if integral).
Sealer (gal)
Protective sealer, 2 coats, adjusted for texture depth.
Wash-off water (gal)
Estimated water for pressure-washing exposed paste.
Material cost ($)
Concrete, retarder, aggregate, and sealer cost.
Labor cost ($)
Placement, finishing, washing, and sealing labor.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Surface area (sq ft) = 400, Slab thickness (inches) = 4, Exposure depth (1-3) = 2, Method (1-2) = 1 = 5 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Total project cost
    Total project cost = totalMaterialCost + laborCost
    2841.56 = $2,841.56
  3. Calculate Cost per sq ft
    7.1 = $7.1
  4. Calculate Concrete
    Concrete = concreteCuYd * (1 + wastePct / 100)
    5.43 = 5.43

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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