Polished concrete flooring transforms ordinary spaces into stunning, durable surfaces that last decades. This modern flooring solution offers endless customisation options while delivering exceptional value.
We at Superfloor Australia see homeowners struggle with choosing the right specifications for their unique needs. The key lies in understanding polish levels, aggregate exposure, and matching your floor to your lifestyle requirements.
Understanding Polished Concrete Flooring Options
Different Polish Levels Serve Specific Functions
Polish levels range from matte to high-gloss, with each option serving distinct purposes in your home. Matte finishes perform best in high-traffic areas like kitchens and entryways because they conceal scratches and wear patterns effectively. Semi-gloss options deliver moderate reflection while they maintain durability for living rooms and bedrooms. High-gloss finishes create dramatic visual impact in formal dining rooms and showpiece areas, though they demand more careful maintenance to preserve their mirror-like appearance.
Aggregate Exposure Creates Visual Drama
Salt and pepper finish keeps aggregates minimal, which creates subtle texture perfect for modern minimalist designs. Medium aggregate exposure reveals colourful stones within the concrete mix and adds natural character to rustic and industrial-style homes. Full aggregate exposure showcases dramatic patterns with stones, gravels, and decorative elements that become focal points. The aggregate size directly impacts slip resistance – larger exposed aggregates provide better traction in wet areas (like bathrooms and pool decks). Most homeowners choose medium exposure for living areas because it balances visual interest with practical maintenance requirements.
Colour Customisation Transforms Concrete Appearance
Integral colours mix pigments throughout the concrete during the pour, which creates consistent colour that won’t wear off over decades of use. Acid stains produce variegated, natural tones in earth colours after installation. Dye stains offer vibrant, uniform colours that include reds, yellows, and purples for bold design statements. Multiple colour techniques combine to create unique patterns and effects impossible with other materials (making each floor truly one-of-a-kind). The concrete’s original colour and aggregate type influence final results – grey concrete accepts darker stains better while cream concrete works best for lighter tones.
These aesthetic choices work hand-in-hand with practical considerations that determine your floor’s long-term performance and satisfaction.
Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Polished Concrete
Traffic Patterns Dictate Finish Selection
High-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways demand matte to semi-gloss finishes because they hide scuff marks and maintain their appearance longer. Living rooms and bedrooms handle semi-gloss to high-gloss options without showing excessive wear. Commercial spaces require minimum 32 MPa concrete strength with matte finishes to withstand daily foot traffic.
Entryways need aggregate exposure for slip resistance since smooth surfaces become hazardous when wet. We measure traffic levels by counting daily footsteps – under 100 steps suits high-gloss, while over 500 steps requires matte finishes for longevity.
Moisture Resistance Varies by Location
Bathrooms and laundries need full penetrating sealers because standard polished concrete absorbs moisture through microscopic pores. Kitchens require stain-resistant treatments since spills happen daily and acidic substances like wine or citrus damage unsealed surfaces permanently.
Pool areas demand slip-resistant aggregate exposure combined with waterproof sealers to prevent water damage and safety hazards. Basements in humid climates need vapour barriers beneath concrete slabs to prevent moisture wicking that causes surface deterioration. Indoor humidity above 60% requires enhanced sealing every 2-3 years instead of the standard 5-year cycle.
Investment Returns Justify Premium Options
Polished concrete costs $70-110 per square meter installed but lasts 20-30 years without replacement, while carpet requires replacement every 5-7 years at similar initial costs. High-gloss finishes add $15-25 per square meter but increase home value according to real estate industry data.
Premium sealers cost an additional $10-20 per square meter but reduce maintenance expenses by 40% over the floor’s lifetime. The total lifecycle cost averages $3-5 per square meter annually compared to $12-18 for ceramic tiles or $15-25 for hardwood (when accounting for replacement and maintenance expenses).
These selection factors directly impact the installation process, which requires careful planning and professional expertise to achieve optimal results.
Installation Process and What to Expect
Surface Assessment Determines Success
Professional installers inspect existing concrete slabs for cracks, oil stains, and structural integrity before they start any work. Concrete must reach minimum 32 MPa strength and 100mm thickness to support polished equipment that weighs up to 2,000 kilograms. Hairline cracks wider than 0.5mm require epoxy injection repairs, while oil stains need degreasing treatments 48 hours before grinding begins.
Installers measure moisture levels with calcium chloride tests because concrete above 3-5 pounds per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours causes sealer adhesion failures. Steel reinforcement mesh size SL82 or larger prevents surface cracking during the grinding process, and installers verify this through core sampling in questionable areas. Surface preparation includes shot blasting to remove existing coatings and create proper adhesion profiles for sealers and hardeners.
Installation Timeline Requires Strategic Planning
Professional polished concrete installation takes 5-7 days for average residential projects that cover 100-150 square meters. Day one involves surface preparation and repairs, days two through four cover progressive grinding with diamond pads from 30-grit to 3000-grit, day five applies chemical hardeners, and days six through seven complete final polishing and sealer application.
Each grinding stage requires 4-6 hours drying time between steps, which makes weather conditions critical for timeline adherence. Temperature must stay between 10-25 degrees Celsius with humidity below 60% throughout installation to prevent sealer clouding and adhesion problems. Rainy weather extends timelines by 1-2 days because moisture interferes with chemical reactions in hardeners and sealers.
Professional Standards Guarantee Performance
Certified installers use specialised equipment with vacuum dust collection systems that capture 99.5% of concrete particles (preventing respiratory hazards and property damage). Quality installations require specific equipment that includes planetary grinders for edges, walk-behind units for open areas, and hand grinders for detailed work around fixtures.
Chemical hardeners must penetrate 3-5mm deep for proper densification, which professional applicators verify through scratch tests after curing. Final gloss measurements should reach 70-85 units on a gloss meter for semi-gloss finishes and 85+ units for high-gloss surfaces to meet industry standards. Professional installers provide 10-year structural warranties and 2-year sealer warranties, while DIY attempts typically fail within 12-18 months due to improper surface preparation or chemical application errors.
Final Thoughts
Polished concrete flooring selection requires you to balance aesthetic preferences with practical demands. Match polish levels to traffic patterns – matte finishes work best for high-traffic areas, while high-gloss surfaces suit showpiece spaces. Consider aggregate exposure for slip resistance and visual impact, then factor in moisture conditions where enhanced sealing becomes necessary (especially for bathrooms and kitchens).
Professional installation delivers superior results compared to DIY attempts. Certified installers use specialised equipment, maintain proper chemical application procedures, and provide warranties that protect your investment. The 5-7 day installation timeline requires strategic planning, but professional expertise prevents costly mistakes that plague amateur installations.
Your polished concrete investment pays dividends through decades of low-maintenance performance. The $70-110 per square meter cost delivers 20-30 years of service life, making it more economical than carpet or tile replacements. Superfloor Australia provides polished concrete solutions for Brisbane homes and commercial spaces. Start your project by scheduling professional assessments of existing concrete conditions to determine repair requirements and timeline expectations.