Debate: broom finish vs. exposed aggregate on a driveway that sees snow plows

I was talking to a guy at the supply yard yesterday who swore he'd never do broom finish again after seeing one crack all along the broom lines, but my old crew boss always said exposed aggregate traps salt and rusts out worse. What do you guys use on northern drives that actually holds up?

3 comments

3 Comments

sage_perry1mo ago

My neighbor did exposed aggregate three winters ago and by last spring there were rust spots all along where the plow blade caught the edges. I've stuck with a medium broom finish on my own place and just accept I'll seal it every other year. Might not be the prettiest but I've never had it crack on me like that supply yard guy talked about.

fiona_scott441mo ago

Broom finish is just more forgiving in weather like ours, I've had the same luck with it. That rust from the aggregate is a nightmare once it starts, the plow just keeps digging into those exposed stones. Seal it every other year and you're way ahead of the guys chasing the latest trend.

ben4361d ago

Oh man, I gotta push back hard on this one. I've had exposed aggregate on my driveway for six years now and it's held up way better than any broom finish I've seen around here. You guys are making it sound like every pebble turns into a rust bomb overnight, but that only happens if you cheap out on the mix or don't get a good seal from day one. @fiona_scott44, I respect your experience but I've watched broom finish turn that same gray, worn-out color after two winters with salt, and it just looks tired. Aggregate has texture for grip without being a rough surface for the plow to dig into, and I've never had a rust issue because I sealed it right and pick stones that don't have iron in them.