Polished Concrete
Floors & Stone

Polished concrete is a concrete floor that has been mechanically ground and refined with progressively finer diamond abrasives, then chemically densified and sealed. The process hardens the surface and brings out the aggregate within the slab. It is not a coating or a paint - the finish is the concrete itself, which is why a polished concrete floor cannot peel, delaminate or wear through to a different material underneath.

A correctly installed and maintained polished concrete floor performs for 25 to 30 years or more, with only periodic re-sealing required. There are no replacement cycles. For comparison, carpet is typically replaced every 5 to 10 years, LVT and vinyl every 10 to 15, and ceramic tile every 15 to 20.

On its own, concrete feels cool because it conducts heat away from your feet efficiently. That same property makes it one of the best possible surfaces for underfloor heating: the slab acts as a thermal mass, heats evenly, holds warmth long after the system cycles off, and typically runs at a lower flow temperature than heating under timber or carpet.

Often, yes. Where the existing slab is sound, we can grind and polish it directly. Where it is not suitable for polishing, or where the floor is tile, screed or timber, a concrete overlay or microcement system can be applied over the top without breaking out. This avoids demolition, disposal and the disruption that comes with them.

Concrete is a natural material and fine hairline cracking can occur as a slab cures and moves - this is normal and many clients regard it as part of the character. Structural cracking is a different matter and is prevented through correct slab design, movement joints and reinforcement. We assess the substrate at survey and specify accordingly, and any existing cracks are repaired before polishing begins.

Cost depends on the system, the floor area and the condition of the substrate. Grinding and sealing an existing slab sits at the lower end, a full mechanical polish in the middle, and a new poured floor with underfloor heating at the upper end. Smaller areas cost more per square metre because setup and machinery transport are fixed costs. Our cost guide explains the ranges and the variables in detail.

Polished concrete is the slab itself, ground and polished. Microcement is a polymer-modified cement coating, roughly 2 to 3mm thick, applied over an existing surface. Microcement adds almost no height, can go on walls, worktops and wet rooms, and avoids break-out - but it is a surface finish rather than the structure. Where a new pour is impractical, microcement or a concrete overlay achieves a similar look.

Yes. We install polished concrete, microcement, concrete overlays and stone restoration nationwide from our base in Mold, North Wales, where we also run the UK's only dedicated polished concrete showroom. Clients regularly travel to see the finishes in person before committing to a specification.