Frequently asked questions

Think of polishing concrete as refining the concrete surface with a grinding and polishing action to give a hard, dense floor with thermal gains — stain resistant, very easily cleaned and long lasting. A stain-guard protection system is applied, similar to the way polish works on a car's paint. Our systems are fully waterproof, which means no staining from red wine and the like.

You start with coarse blades attached to a grinder weighing 400 kg or more. Smaller grinders will work, but in some cases they will not produce stone if the concrete is too hard. Layers are taken away a little at a time to reach the chosen stone content — salt and pepper (fines only), part stone or full stone.

Once that is established and every imperfection is fixed, the polishing process begins with progressively finer diamonds, from 400 up to a 3000 grit finish. Chemicals and concrete protection systems are then added to change the chemical structure of the concrete, giving hardness and partial or full stain protection.

No — definitely not. Good machinery, sound technique and a wealth of experience are the keys to an unbeatable high-end finish. If you want your floor to carry its shine year after year, it is important that steps are not skipped in the polishing process.

Yes. Modern polishing chemicals provide waterproofing and stain control against oils and similar spills. Every system is different and offers a different level of protection. These systems soak into the matrix of the concrete and form micro-umbrellas that stop liquids getting in.

No. Coatings are topical — in other words, they sit on top of the surface, so you are looking at a coating that covers the concrete. Polished concrete is about refining the surface itself. Coatings typically scratch over time; the finish on polished concrete is so fine that tyre marks do not stick. Coatings are generally cheaper, because they do not require precision grinding.

No.

Yes. Watch us transform even poorly laid concrete into a polished work of art — have a look through our work for a few examples.

No. All of our floors meet the council co-efficient slip rating.

It is a permanent process. There is no wax or coating applied that will eventually fail — when we finish, it is bare concrete that has been permanently polished. General cleaning will keep the floors looking amazing year after year. In high-traffic areas simple buffing can be done alongside the general cleaning, but far less often. A re-application of polish can also be applied at any time, much like polishing a car's paintwork.