Service · Polishing
Concrete polishing — from soft matte to mirror gloss.
Polished concrete is one of the most durable, beautiful, and cost-effective finished floor systems available. It uses the slab you already have. It lasts decades. And it's completely customizable from a quiet matte sheen to full mirror reflection.
What we mean by polishing
Mechanical polishing — not a coating, not a wax.
Polished concrete is a mechanical process. We progressively grind the slab with diamond pads from coarse to fine grit, densify the concrete chemically, and polish until the surface reaches the target gloss. Nothing is applied on top of the floor — the polish IS the floor. That's why it lasts.
How we do it
The process, step by step.
- 01
Profile the slab
We start with what you have — slab thickness, density, moisture, and surface condition. Each is measured before we decide on the right grinding plan.
- 02
Diamond grind
Working from coarse (~50 grit) up through fine (1500–3000 grit), we remove the surface layer, level high spots, and progressively refine the finish.
- 03
Densify the matrix
A lithium silicate densifier reacts with calcium hydroxide in the concrete to harden the slab from within. Better wear resistance, better polish receptivity.
- 04
Polish to spec
Final passes to the target finish level — from soft sheen to mirror gloss. We pull a gloss reading at delivery and submit it with the closeout package.
- 05
Seal & protect
A breathable surface guard locks in the finish and adds stain resistance without changing the look of the floor.
Where we polish
From distribution centers to family rooms.
- Commercial
Showrooms, warehouses, distribution centers, healthcare lobbies, manufacturing plants, office adaptive reuse, government facilities.
- Residential
Basements, garages, kitchen and living spaces, walkout patios, finished concrete in new builds.
About concrete polishing
What people ask before they call.
- What does polished concrete actually look like?
- Anywhere from a soft, low-sheen matte to a high-gloss mirror finish, depending on the grit level you stop at and the aggregate exposure you choose. You can polish to cream (the surface paste, no stone visible), salt-and-pepper (light stone exposure), or full aggregate (decorative stone fully visible). We do mock-ups on every commercial project so you see the actual finish before we polish the whole floor.
- Is polished concrete slippery?
- A correctly polished and properly sealed concrete floor meets or exceeds the ANSI A326.3 DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction) standard for level interior walking surfaces — both wet and dry. Polishing actually improves slip resistance compared to most coated alternatives because the texture comes from the aggregate, not a topical finish that can wear off.
- How long does it take?
- Most commercial projects run 1,000–2,000 sq ft per day depending on the slab condition, finish level, and how much prep is required. A 10,000 sq ft warehouse with light prep might be a full week including mock-up and sealing; a 1,500 sq ft restaurant might be 2-3 days. We give you a real schedule with your estimate, not a placeholder.
- How do you maintain a polished concrete floor?
- Day-to-day: dust mop, then damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner. That's it for ~95% of maintenance. Every 12–18 months, depending on traffic, the floor benefits from a refresh — a re-burnish to bring the gloss back up. We provide a written maintenance plan with every project so your facilities team or homeowner knows exactly what to do.
- Can you polish an existing slab, or do we need a new pour?
- We polish existing slabs every day — that's most of our commercial restoration work. The slab needs to be structurally sound (no major spalling, no severe damage) and at least ~2 inches thick. We assess every existing slab before quoting and tell you honestly whether polishing is the right move or whether it needs more substantial repair first.
Related services
Polishing usually rides with one of these.
-
Surface preparation
If the slab needs prep before polish — grinding, shot blasting, coating removal, joint repair.
-
Concrete staining
Color the slab before final polish — acid stains, water-based dyes, integral color.
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Sealing & restoration
Locks in the finish and adds stain resistance — densifiers, penetrating sealers, surface guards.