Polished concrete

Polished concrete is the most durable floor option when it comes to a cement look. First the concrete is grinded, exposing the stone chips within the concrete mix. It is then finished with a penetrating sealant and buffed with a polisher. Architect Nadine Engelbrecht chose a Lafarge concrete mix (Artevia Polished Grey 9.5mm Dolomite pump mix) for the floors in her Pretoria home. The finish is generally crack-free.

Installation Not all concrete floors are suitable for polishing; if you have existing concrete floors (with a screed under tiles or carpets, for example), have them tested by a specialist (it’s called an MOHS test). If suitable, any existing sealants or coatings are removed and cracks are filled and repaired. Specialised equipment is then used for the rough grinding of the floor and it’s given a final polish once all minor blemishes have been removed. A final clear sealant can be added if you want to achieve a specific matte or gloss finish.

Curing time A polished concrete floor can be walked on during the process, if need be. If a final sealant is applied, it usually takes 24 hours to dry.

Cost R330/m² for grinding, polishing and sealing; concrete (100mm thick) price varies from R180/m² to R280/m².

It’s a DIY job! Yes, providing you have the equipment (and determination!) required.

If your concrete floor doesn’t meet the required strength (30MPa), you can either cast a new concrete floor or opt for Stone Chip Flooring from Flooring Guru, a smooth 3–15mm decorative flooring application that consists of a base colour of your choice...