Concreters in North Shelley — Perth's trusted concrete specialists
North Shelley's local concrete specialists — exposed aggregate driveways, carports and full concreting services. City of Canning compliant, owner-operated, HIA member.
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House Institute of Australia member
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Master Builders WA member
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Concrete Institute of Australia member
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Engineering-background
We offer our full range of concreting services to North Shelley residents, builders and developers
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Driveways & crossovers
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Exposed aggregate
Architectural aggregate finishes sourced from premium Australian suppliers including Boral, Limecrete, WA Premix and Heidelberg Materials. Available mixes include Boral’s Cottesloe, Atlantis Beach, Swanbourne, Alkimos, Seabird and more — see samples in person at our supplier partners in East Perth, Bibra Lake and Osborne Park before committing.
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Honed & polished concrete
Honed and polished concrete are architectural finishes from the same premium supply chain as exposed aggregate. The difference is in how the surface is processed: honed concrete is mechanically ground to a refined matte finish and sealed. Both finishes start with the same architectural mix design. Polished concrete takes the mechanical grinding process to a high-gloss finish, typically used for interior ground slabs, garages and undercover alfrescos. Decorative ground slabs are poured at 32MPa to accommodate the polishing process.
Our work in North Shelley
242m² exposed aggregate driveway and carport — Boral Cottesloe mix, high-gloss sealed
In North Shelley, Colacrete completed a 242m² combined driveway and carport in Boral's Cottesloe exposed aggregate — one of the larger residential exposed aggregate scopes we've delivered, and a job where the premium aggregate selection and high-gloss finish really set the result apart.
The scope at a glance
Boral's Cottesloe mix throughout — a premium coastal-toned exposed aggregate blend
25MPa concrete to Colacrete's standard residential specification
100mm slab depth throughout driveway and carport
SL62 reinforcing mesh
Full expose, acid wash and two coats of acrylic high-gloss concrete sealant
Boral's Cottesloe mix
Boral is one of Perth's leading ready-mix concrete suppliers and a supplier Colacrete works with regularly. Their Cottesloe exposed aggregate mix draws on the character of the iconic Perth beach suburb it's named for — a refined coastal aesthetic with a pale, sandy tone and natural aggregate blend that suits light-rendered homes, limestone-clad facades and contemporary coastal builds equally well.
The Cottesloe mix is at the premium end of Boral's exposed aggregate range for good reason. The aggregate selection is more refined than standard concrete blends, the tonal palette is distinctive and consistent across the pour, and the finished result under a high-gloss seal has a depth and richness that you don't get with standard aggregate mixes.
High-gloss acrylic sealant — two coats
The sealant choice matters. A standard exposed aggregate job typically receives one or two coats of semi-gloss or satin sealer. This client specified acrylic high-gloss — two coats — which produces a noticeably deeper, richer finish: the wet-look effect that makes the aggregate colour pop and gives the surface a premium, polished quality when the light catches it.
High-gloss acrylic sealant also provides excellent protection against staining and moisture penetration. It does require resealing on the standard schedule — typically every 3 to 5 years — but the visual result is worth it on a premium aggregate like the Cottesloe mix.
242m² — driveway and carport combined
At 242m², this scope covered both the main driveway access and the carport slab in Boral Cottesloe exposed aggregate — keeping the finish and aggregate consistent across both areas for a unified look from the street. Matching the aggregate and finish across a combined scope is standard practice, but getting the pour sequence and the pressure wash timing right across a larger total area requires care — the aggregate has to be exposed at the right stage of set across the full footprint, not just the section that was poured first.
The Colacrete standard
Build to spec
Where a licensed structural engineer has specified drawings, Colacrete works to those specifications. If no drawings or specifications are provided, we work to industry standards.
Communication
We pride ourselves on our prompt communication with all our clients. Not only do we aim to provide quotes within 24-48 hours, but we also keep our clients well informed before, during and after the works.
Our experience
We are owner-operated, and our director comes from an engineering background, having graduated from Curtin University and having worked as an engineer for several years. He also comes from a concreting family, with concreting experience spanning decades.
Why North Shelley homeowners and builders choose Colacrete
North Shelley sits within the City of Canning on the southern bank of the Canning River — one of Perth's most sought-after riverside corridors, with established homes on generous blocks and consistent demand for premium decorative concrete finishes to match the quality of the properties they front. The suburb's proximity to the river, the established garden character of its streets and its location between Rossmoyne to the east and Bull Creek to the north make it one of the City of Canning's premium residential addresses.
Sandy soils consistent with the Perth coastal plain are typical across North Shelley — generally good subgrade conditions for residential slab work, with good drainage and reliable bearing capacity for standard residential driveways and carports.
Premium exposed aggregate finishes like Boral's Cottesloe mix are a natural fit for North Shelley's established homes and riverside character. The Cottesloe mix's pale coastal tones complement the light renders and brick tones common in the suburb, and the high-gloss sealed finish adds a level of visual refinement that matches the expectations of homeowners investing in a premium property.
Colacrete is a member of the Housing Industry Australia (HIA), Master Builders Association (MBA) and Concrete Institute of Australia (CIA). Eddie brings an engineering background in civil and construction management alongside long-standing experience across concreting and general construction projects spanning a wide variety of disciplines, scales and scopes.
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"At Bionic homes Colacrete is our first choice concrete contractor. They are reliable and always deliver quality work at fair prices. They are the best concreters when it comes to their workmanship and communication I couldn't recommend them enough"
—Michael T, Director at Bionic Homes
Areas we also service
Shelley
Riverton
Rossmoyne
Bull Creek
Willetton
Parkwood
Service area questions? Contact us - we cover the full Perth metro area
FAQs
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Colacrete's pricing is based on job scope, site conditions, finish selection and access. Visit our service pages for more information (including our FAQ section):
Standard grey concrete including for house slabs (including suspended slabs), driveways, crossovers, footpaths
Exposed aggregate including for driveways, pool surrounds, footpaths and outdoor living areas
Polished concrete including for garages, alfrescos and patios, indoor living spaces, feature rooms and commercial fitouts and offices
Honed concrete including for pool surrounds, outdoor entertaining spaces, alfrescos, patios and garages
Liquid limestone including for driveways, pool surrounds, footpaths, and outdoor living areas
Coloured concrete including for driveways, crossovers, footpaths, outdoor entertaining areas and patios, pool surrounds
As an example, standard grey concrete typically ranges between $85 to $170 per m2, whereas exposed aggregate can range between $110 to $200+ per m2. For smaller areas, the price is usually at the higher end of the range.
All pricing is indicative. Every job is quoted individually after a site visit — no two sites are identical.
Contact Colacrete for a free, no-obligation quote or call 0413 811 231.
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Boral's Cottesloe exposed aggregate mix is a premium coastal-toned blend named after the iconic Perth beach suburb. It features a pale, sandy aggregate selection with a refined tonal palette that suits light-rendered homes, limestone-clad facades and contemporary coastal builds. It is one of Boral's premium exposed aggregate offerings for the Perth metro market and produces a particularly refined result under a high-gloss seal. Colacrete works with Boral and can obtain samples from their Perth depots so you can see the mix before committing.
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Satin (or semi-gloss) sealer is the most common choice for exposed aggregate in Perth — it provides good protection and a modest sheen that lets the aggregate colour show without being overly reflective. High-gloss acrylic sealer delivers a noticeably richer, deeper finish — a "wet look" effect where the aggregate colour is intensified and the surface has a glossy, polished quality when light catches it. High-gloss is typically chosen on premium aggregate mixes where the visual result justifies the finish. Both require resealing every 3 to 5 years; the maintenance schedule is the same.
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When exposed aggregate concrete is pressure washed to reveal the aggregate, the wash water carries a fine, cement-rich slurry. This slurry is alkaline and cannot be directed to stormwater drains or gutters — it's a requirement of the City of Canning and of environmental good practice. Slurry control means containing and managing this waste on site during the expose process rather than letting it run off.
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Crossovers — the section of driveway crossing the public verge from the kerb — are subject to City of Canning requirements and typically require council approval. The driveway on your own property generally doesn't require separate approval, though it may be covered under a broader building approval if it's part of a larger project. Colacrete advises on what's needed for your specific scope and works to council specifications on crossover work.
Ready to get started on your North Shelley concreting project?
Free no obligation quote & site visit. We respond within 24 to 48 hours and arrange a site visit at a time that suits you.
hello@colacrete.com.au