Polished concrete flooring is polished and sealed concrete, designed to create an industrial-style surface.

A great example of polished concrete is in the Tate Modern in London – the polished concrete compliments the industrial style of the space effectively. Its hard-wearing properties are effective in a space with high footfall.

Polished concrete can be finished with different effects, for example, cream polished concrete, full or exposed aggregate finish, salt and pepper finish or platinum finish.

The shine on a finish is dependent on the level of sanding. By sanding with a higher grit level, a shinier effect is created – a grit level of 800, 1,500 or 3,000 can be used (it’s best to start with a lower grit and build up). After the concrete has been sanded, a sealant is poured over the concrete for protection.

What is the main appeal?

• This floor type is long lasting and hard wearing.

• It is easy to clean (due to its smooth and non-porous properties) and requires low maintenance.

• In the long-term polished concrete can be cost-effective as it doesn’t need replacing as frequently as other flooring types.

• Invulnerable to moisture and mould (providing it’s sealed properly and effectively)

• There aren’t harmful chemicals in polished concrete making it more environmentally friendly than other flooring types.

What are the drawbacks?

• Due to its durability/hard wearing properties concrete can also be unforgiving underfoot as it is extremely hard.

• It can cause a space to echo. However, this can be balanced with soft furnishings.

• Concrete doesn’t hold heat well and therefore can be incredibly cold underfoot. This also limits the insulation properties of a building.

• Concrete can crack over time and doesn’t have much ductile strength.

• Concrete can become slippery when wet which can be hazardous.