The Definitive Guide to Shellcrete
Your research hub for shell aggregate concrete — history, installation, colors, suppliers, and more.
What Is Shellcrete?
Shellcrete is a decorative concrete made with crushed shell aggregate — also known as shell tabby, coquina, or washed shell concrete. Used for pool decks, patios, driveways, and walkways, it delivers a stunning coastal aesthetic, superior durability, and genuine sustainability. shellcrete101.com/ is your complete education and research resource.
Explore Topics
What Is Shellcrete?
The basics of shell-aggregate concrete — composition, names, and properties.
History and Origins
From colonial tabby to modern coquina — 500+ years of shell concrete history.
Applications
Pool decks, driveways, patios, walkways, and commercial surfaces.
Installation Guide
Mix ratios, substrate prep, seeding, curing, finishing, and sealing steps.
Colors and Palettes
Browse shell tones, integral pigment options, and coastal design inspiration.
Manufacturers and Suppliers
Shell aggregate, pigments, sealers, installers, and professional associations.
Latest From the Blog
What Is Shellcrete? The Complete Beginner’s Guide
What Is Shellcrete? The Complete Beginner's GuidePublished in: What Is Shellcrete | 8 min readIf you have been searching for a pool deck or patio surface that looks like you hauled the beach into your backyard, you have probably stumbled across the term shellcrete....
Shellcrete vs. Stamped Concrete: Which Is Right for Your Pool Deck?
Shellcrete vs. Stamped Concrete: Which Is Right for Your Pool Deck?Published in: Installation | Comparisons | 6 min readYou are redesigning your pool deck and you have narrowed it down to two options: Shellcrete and stamped concrete. Both are decorative concrete...
The 500-Year History of Tabby Construction in the American Southeast
The 500-Year History of Tabby Construction in the American SoutheastPublished in: History | Research | 10 min readBefore there was Portland cement, before there were concrete trucks, before there was the modern construction industry — there was tabby. And it was built...
Years of Tabby History
Shell Aggregate Types
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