Perth Concrete Specialists
Honed Concrete Driveways
The premium, polished look. Smooth, refined and modern.
Honed in Perth
Honed concrete is ground back to a smooth, low-sheen surface that exposes the sand and stone in a refined, even finish. It is the premium choice for modern Perth homes that want a clean, architectural driveway.
Honed concrete takes a cured slab and mechanically grinds the surface back to reveal a smooth, consistent finish with the fine aggregate showing through. The result is more restrained and architectural than exposed aggregate, closer to polished concrete flooring but built for outdoors.
It suits contemporary homes where the driveway is meant to read as a clean, continuous surface rather than a textured one. Paired with the right colour, it looks genuinely high-end.
100-125mm
Slab thickness
20-32 MPa
Concrete strength for polishing
Satin
Ground and honed surface sheen
7 days
Before light vehicle traffic
What's Included
What comes as standard
Smooth, low-sheen ground finish
Light or deep honing to control stone exposure
Anti-slip seal available for sloped sites
Combines with integral colour for a premium look
Honed vs Exposed Aggregate: the Real Difference
Both honed and exposed aggregate reveal the stone inside the concrete, but the method and result are quite different. Exposed aggregate uses a surface wash to remove the cement paste and reveal the stone in its natural rounded form, creating a textured surface. Honing mechanically grinds the cured slab flat, cutting through both the cement paste and the tops of the stones to create a smooth, even surface.
| Feature | Honed | Exposed Aggregate |
|---|---|---|
| Surface texture | Smooth, flat, low-sheen | Textured, grippy, stone raised |
| Stone appearance | Cut cross-section, even pattern | Rounded stone, natural surface |
| Visual character | Refined, architectural, modern | Warm, traditional, natural |
| Wet grip | Moderate - anti-slip seal recommended on slopes | Excellent natural texture |
| Maintenance | Regular sealing, marks show more on flat surface | Regular sealing, marks hide in texture |
Coloured Honed Concrete
The combination of integral colour and honing is what gives honed driveways their premium look. A charcoal-oxide slab that is honed back reveals a consistent, deep grey with the natural aggregate pattern, which is almost impossible to distinguish from expensive natural stone at first glance.
Sealing a Honed Driveway
Honed concrete must be sealed. The grinding process opens up the surface, making it more porous than a freshly finished slab, and without a seal it will absorb oil, grime and water rapidly. A quality sealer closes the surface and gives the low-sheen finish that is characteristic of the style.
Re-sealing every two to four years maintains the look and protects the investment. The honed surface is more sensitive to a failing seal than a textured surface, because marks are more visible on a flat finish than in the texture of exposed aggregate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about honed in Perth.
It is smoother than exposed aggregate, so on sloped or shaded driveways we add an anti-slip additive to the sealer. On flatter driveways the honed texture and sealed surface provide adequate grip for normal use.
They are related but not identical. Polished concrete is ground to a high gloss, usually indoors on an interior floor. Honed is ground to a smoother, lower-sheen finish that is more suitable and safer for an outdoor driveway.
It sits at the premium end because of the grinding labour and equipment involved. For homeowners wanting a modern, architectural driveway it is often the finish of choice. We can quote it against exposed aggregate so you can compare the investment.
Sometimes, if the existing slab is sound and thick enough to take grinding without exposing reinforcement. We would need to inspect it first. In many cases a fresh pour gives a better and more predictable result.
Every two to four years, depending on traffic, sun exposure and the sealer used. The honed surface shows the effects of a failing seal sooner than a textured surface, so staying on top of resealing is important.
Yes. A honed finish on the main driveway paired with plain grey or exposed aggregate for paths or borders is a common design approach. The contrast between finishes can look very deliberate and considered.
Request Your Free Quote
Request a quote for honed
Send us a few details and we will come out, measure up and give you a clear, itemised quote with no obligation.
Call us
(08) 6275 6554Open
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
