Polished Concrete
Questions & Answers

Polished concrete is an existing or new concrete slab that is mechanically ground with progressively finer industrial diamonds, then densified and sealed to a smooth, hard-wearing finish. The colour and character come from the concrete itself, and the sheen can range from a low matte through to a high gloss. We offer three main types - mechanically polished concrete (MPC), grind and seal, and honed concrete for outdoors.

We offer five main finishes: mechanically polished concrete (MPC), surface polish, grind & seal, honed concrete for outdoors, and epoxy & garage coatings. MPC is the deep mechanically ground and densified finish for indoors; surface polish is a lighter topical polish that lifts the sheen with minimal grinding and no stone exposure; grind & seal suits indoor or outdoor areas; honed concrete is our matte outdoor finish; and epoxy is ideal for garages and industrial floors.

MPC mechanically grinds, densifies and polishes the concrete itself - there's no topical coating to wear away, so it lasts many years indoors. Grind & seal grinds the surface then applies a clear sealer (the shine comes from the coating), which is more affordable and works indoors or out, but needs re-coating over time. See our full MPC vs grind & seal comparison.

Honed concrete is mechanically ground to a smooth, low-sheen matte surface with deliberate grip - ideal outdoors and around pools - while polished concrete is taken to a higher sheen for indoor floors. They share the same ground-concrete base; the difference is the level of refinement and gloss. Learn more about honed concrete.

Not quite. Honed is the matte, slip-resistant outdoor cousin of indoor polished concrete (MPC). Honed is usually finished around a 60-120 grit for grip, while polished continues to a finer grit for more shine.

"Burnished concrete" is another term often used for mechanically polished or ground-and-densified concrete - a hard-wearing finish achieved by grinding rather than a topical coating. We can produce anything from a matte to a high-gloss result.

In most cases, yes - very few slabs can't be ground and polished. The existing concrete dictates the colour, aggregate and achievable finishes, so we assess your slab and recommend the best option as part of your quote.

Almost any sound slab can be ground and polished. Even slabs that weren't poured to spec can usually be polished - it may just limit the achievable finish or stone exposure. We assess your slab and tell you honestly what's possible.

A feather finish (or overlay/topping) is a thin cementitious layer applied over an existing floor to create a smooth, modern concrete look where the slab itself isn't suitable for polishing - popular for renovations. Ask us whether a polish or an overlay suits your floor.

We don't polish over the top of tiles or floorboards - those are removed first. Depending on the slab underneath, we can then grind and polish the concrete, or apply an overlay to achieve a polished-concrete look.

Generally it's no more slippery than other hard floors when dry. Like any hard surface it can be slippery when wet, which is why we recommend a honed or grind & seal finish (with an anti-slip additive if needed) for wet and outdoor areas.

It can be, like tiles or timber. For areas that get wet we add an anti-slip agent to the sealer or use a honed finish with natural grip - tailored to how much slip resistance you need.

Yes. With a grind & seal or epoxy finish we add a fine grit to the top coat for a non-slip surface - ideal for wet areas, around pools, outdoors and commercial spaces. We can dial the grip up or down to suit.

We recommend a grind & seal with a non-slip additive, or an MPC floor with a non-slip mat in the wettest spots. The topical sealer keeps the surface water-tight so moisture doesn't penetrate the concrete.

Yes, when you choose the right finish. A honed or grind & seal surface with appropriate grip is slip resistant and comfortable underfoot - far safer when wet than polished tiles.

A mechanically polished concrete floor can last 10-12 years or more without major maintenance when installed and cared for properly - and the concrete itself lasts the life of the building. Grind & seal and honed finishes also last for years but need re-sealing periodically.

Very. Mechanically polished concrete is one of the most durable floors available - there's no coating on the surface to scratch or wear, and the concrete is hardened and densified. Grind & seal is slightly less hard-wearing, but we can specify tougher sealers for high-traffic areas.

It's very low maintenance - a dry microfibre dust mop for everyday dust, and a weekly clean with warm water or a pH-neutral cleaner. Wipe up spills promptly and avoid acidic or harsh cleaners.

Our finishes are sealed to resist staining, so in general it won't - but we still recommend wiping up spills quickly, especially oils, wine and acidic liquids, so they don't sit on the surface.

Our sealed finishes are water-resistant and the sealer stops water soaking into the concrete, but concrete itself isn't a waterproofing membrane. In wet areas such as bathrooms we work in with the appropriate waterproofing and a non-slip sealer.

MPC and honed concrete won't fade and, with proper care, won't discolour. Lower-grade sealers without a UV-stable coating can discolour, lift or peel over time - which is why we use quality, fit-for-purpose sealers.

Concrete is a natural product, so cracking can never be fully guaranteed against - but our grinding and grouting process fills minor cracks and pin-holes, and MPC hardens the surface significantly. Any cracks that do appear can usually be repaired.

Usually, yes. MPC floors can often be patch-repaired in small areas, while grind & seal floors are generally re-coated across the whole area to avoid visible patches. We also restore tired or older polished floors.

We don't paint polished concrete - the colour comes from the cement and aggregate. To change the look of an existing floor, options include a fresh grind, an overlay, or an epoxy coating in your chosen colour. We'll talk through what suits.

MPC is densified and typically only needs its protective sealer refreshed roughly every 10 years. Grind & seal and honed finishes need re-sealing every 2-10 years depending on traffic and the sealer used.

For most floors, yes. Sealing protects concrete from stains, moisture and wear and keeps it easy to clean. Polished and honed floors are sealed as part of the finish, while bare concrete, driveways and warehouse slabs benefit from a protective sealer. See concrete sealing.

It depends on traffic and the sealer used. As a guide, topical sealers on driveways and outdoor areas are refreshed every few years, while a densified polished floor only needs its protective sealer refreshed roughly every 10 years. See concrete sealing and re-sealing.

Unsealed concrete is porous, so it absorbs water, oil and stains, dusts up over time and is harder to clean. Sealing protects the surface, makes it easier to maintain and helps it last longer. See concrete sealing.

Sealing makes concrete highly water resistant and stops water and stains soaking in, but it is not a waterproofing membrane. For wet areas that need true waterproofing, a membrane is installed under the floor. See concrete sealing.

Concrete sealing applies a protective sealer to an existing floor. Grind and seal is a polished concrete finish - we grind the surface to expose the look you want, then seal it. One protects; the other is a decorative floor finish. See concrete sealing or grind and seal.

It depends on the area, how open or broken-up the space is, the finish and the stone exposure. As a guide, a standard double garage grind & seal takes 2-3 days, and around 100m² of MPC takes about 5-6 days.

Very little. Our dustless grinding system uses high-grade HEPA vacuums on the machines and captures roughly 98% of dust. You might see a small amount of residual dust by the end - similar to a home not dusted for a few weeks.

With MPC you can walk on it straight away once finished - just keep it dry for 24-72 hours. For epoxy or grind & seal, allow 24 hours before foot traffic and around 7 days before heavy traffic or vehicles.

Polishing only removes the very top surface - typically around 1-6mm depending on the stone exposure you want. It doesn't change your floor levels noticeably, so it works with most existing slabs.

Yes - we grind, polish and hone concrete steps and stairs to match the surrounding floor. Stairs need careful forming (we recommend a fillet on the nosing) so they finish at the same stone exposure as the floor. Send us your step design before pouring and we'll advise.

Ideally after the frame is up and the building is watertight (lock-up), but before skirting, cabinetry and plaster. Talk to us early - we provide guidance so your concreter can prepare a slab that polishes well.

Ask your supplier for a mix intended for polishing - commonly a 32/10/80 mix for minimum to full stone exposure, or 40MPa for nil exposure. Request fresh (not recycled) water to reduce the risk of discolouration. Many suppliers have dedicated decorative/polishing mixes.

As a rule the slab should cure for 28 days before polishing. We also offer a quick-cure system that can allow polishing as early as 7-10 days after the pour, using specific products applied on pour day - ask our team.

It's possible but not something we generally recommend - in-slab heating can dry out the surface and draw up the densifiers and sealers over time, and increase the risk of cracking. If you're set on it, talk to us early so it's allowed for in the slab design and run carefully.

Yes. Suspended slabs are usually poured at a higher strength, so very high stone exposure may differ from a ground-floor slab. Our grinders are heavy (around 400kg), so access to upper levels needs to be planned - sometimes with a crane lift.

No - polishing is done step-by-step across the whole floor area, so each stage must be completed over the entire space before the next begins. We need full access to the areas being polished while we're on site.

Grinding opens up and profiles the surface so polish, coatings or new flooring bond properly, and it removes old coatings, glue and high spots. On uneven slabs we grind to level before the new floor goes down. See concrete grinding and floor prep.

Our grinders run HEPA-filtered dust extraction that captures roughly 98% of dust at the source, which controls crystalline silica and keeps the site clean. See concrete grinding.

Often, yes. We grind down high spots and, where needed, use levelling products to correct low spots, so an uneven slab can usually be brought back to tolerance without a full replacement. See floor preparation.

Yes. We grind off CoverCrete, SprayCrete, stencil coatings, paint, glue and old epoxy to get back to a sound slab, ready for polishing, sealing or a new floor. See concrete grinding.

Hand tools can only get within a few millimetres of finished edges like skirting, cabinetry and door jambs, so polishing after handover leaves an unfinished strip around the edges and in corners, risks damaging fixtures, and the grinders create dust through the house. For the best result we complete floors before final fit-out, not after handover.

It depends on the finish. A grind and seal floor usually needs the whole area re-coated, while a mechanically polished floor can often be patch-repaired depending on where and how bad the damage is. Our quick-cure option includes a removable protective coating that helps prevent build damage. Repairs to build damage are chargeable.

Concrete has high thermal mass - it absorbs warmth during the day and releases it slowly, helping regulate temperature. In summer, kept shaded, it stays cool; in winter it holds daytime warmth.

Surprisingly, no. Unlike tiles, the large thermal mass means it can feel warmer underfoot in cool weather, especially where it gets some sunlight during the day.

It can. The reflective surface bounces natural and artificial light further into a space - some customers report meaningful savings on lighting and energy.

It's one of the best flooring choices for allergy and asthma sufferers - a seamless surface that won't harbour dust mites, mould, pollen or dirt the way carpet can.

It's a common myth. Any hard floor - concrete, tile or timber - carries some sound, but the noise comes down to insulation, walls and ceilings rather than the floor itself. Polished concrete is a very popular choice in modern homes and apartments.

Like any floor it has trade-offs: it's a hard surface so dropped items are more likely to break, and a new slab needs curing time before polishing. Grind & seal and honed finishes need periodic re-sealing. For most homes and businesses the durability, low maintenance and looks far outweigh these.

Yes - it often reuses the existing slab, contains abundant and recycled materials, and is a low contributor to greenhouse gases compared with many floor coverings.

Yes - there are low-VOC product options available across our processes. Let us know if low-VOC is a priority and we'll specify suitable densifiers and sealers.