What is polished concrete flooring?
Polished concrete is a decorative floor finish achieved by mechanically grinding, honing and polishing a concrete or screed surface to expose the aggregate and create a smooth, low-maintenance, high-durability floor. The result is unique to every slab — veining, aggregate scatter and tonal depth cannot be replicated by any manufactured tile or board product.
Finishes range from matt and satin through to full mirror gloss, achieved by progressing through increasingly fine diamond abrasive pads (typically 50 to 3,000 grit) and finishing with a penetrating densifier and topcoat sealer.
Polished concrete finish options
We work to your specification. The three main finish levels — each achieved by stopping the polishing process at a different grit stage:
- Honed / Matt (400 grit) — A flat, smooth surface with minimal reflectivity. Durable and practical; ideal for kitchens, commercial floors and high-traffic areas. Hides scuffs and contamination better than gloss.
- Satin / Semi-gloss (800 grit) — The most popular residential choice. Reflects light without a mirror quality; shows aggregate texture clearly. Balances practicality with visual warmth.
- Full Gloss (1,500–3,000 grit) — Maximum reflectivity. Used in galleries, retail flagships, luxury residential entrances. Requires more diligent maintenance to keep clear of smears.
Where can polished concrete be used?
Polished concrete works in almost any setting. It is particularly strong where longevity and distinctiveness matter — it will not crack, lift, bubble, or require replacement on the timescales typical of tiling or engineered wood.
- Residential — open-plan kitchens, hallways, extensions, garden rooms
- Commercial — showrooms, restaurants, offices, hotel lobbies
- Industrial — warehouses, workshops, retail stockrooms
- Hospitality — bars, cafés, spa facilities
"Polished concrete is one of the most efficient floors for underfloor heating."
Its thermal mass absorbs and stores heat effectively, then releases it evenly across the surface. Response times are slower than tiles, so it suits thermostats that run on longer cycles. We install polished screed directly over UFH pipe arrays — see our UFH guide for zone-by-zone depth specifications.
How is polished concrete installed?
We either install a fresh liquid flow screed and polish it once cured, or work on an existing concrete substrate. Both routes follow the same polishing sequence:
- 01 Substrate assessment Flatness tolerance, moisture reading (RH% or CM test), surface defect mapping. Any laitance or contamination is mechanically removed.
- 02 Coarse grind (50–100 grit) Opens the surface, removes any coating residue, and levels minor lippage. Exposes the aggregate profile.
- 03 Densifier application Penetrating silicate densifier is applied and allowed to react with the free lime in the concrete. Increases surface hardness and reduces porosity before polishing begins.
- 04 Progressive polishing passes 200 → 400 → 800 → 1,500 → 3,000 grit, depending on target finish. Each pass is perpendicular to the last to eliminate scratch lines from the previous grit.
- 05 Topcoat sealer A penetrating guard sealer is applied for stain resistance. No film coating — the floor can be walked on within a few hours.
Is polished concrete expensive?
Polished concrete is competitive with mid-range porcelain tiling on a per-square-metre installation basis, and substantially lower in lifetime cost because it does not chip, lift, require re-grouting or need replacement.
Cost drivers include substrate condition (an existing slab that needs significant levelling costs more than a freshly laid flow screed), aggregate exposure level, and target finish. We provide a free written quote for every project and will beat any like-for-like written quotation.
For general screed pricing across London, see our liquid screed cost guide.
What maintenance does polished concrete need?
Almost none. Routine cleaning is a damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner — no wax, no polish, no specialist products. Acidic cleaners (vinegar, bleach-based products) should be avoided as they etch the surface.
In heavy commercial use, a maintenance re-seal is typically worthwhile at 5–7 year intervals. Most residential floors need no re-sealing within a typical occupancy period.
Common questions
Yes, in most cases. We assess the existing substrate for structural soundness, moisture levels and surface flatness. Minor defects are corrected during the coarse grind. If the slab is severely cracked, contaminated with oil or below flatness tolerance, a fresh liquid screed is the cleaner approach — we can advise on-site.
For an existing substrate, typically 2–4 days for a standard residential floor (up to ~100 m²). If we are installing a new liquid screed first, add the screed drying time — typically 4–6 weeks at standard depth with good ventilation, or 2–3 weeks with forced drying. We will confirm timelines in the site survey and quotation.
Aggregate distribution, mix proportions and pour date all influence the final appearance. Within a single pour this tends to be consistent. Between separate pours (different rooms cast at different times) there can be variation in aggregate type and tonal character. Most clients consider this a feature rather than a flaw — it gives each space its own character. We will explain what to expect for your specific project during survey.
Concrete is a thermal mass material, which means it equilibrates to room temperature rather than staying cold. In a centrally heated home without UFH it will feel cooler than carpet but comparable to tiling. Paired with underfloor heating it is comfortable barefoot — the UFH warms the slab and the slab radiates evenly across the room. See our UFH guide for recommended screed depths and water temperature settings.
Polished concrete floors across London & beyond
We install and finish polished concrete floors across all London boroughs and the surrounding counties. Site surveys available throughout our coverage area — no call-out charge.
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