What is the cost per square metre 

The cost per square meter etween $50 and $110 depending on what specific service it is that you require. Be careful how you compare labour rates as they don’t necessarily take into consideration experience, attention to detail and an ability to solve any issues on site also large commercial is going to be on the lower side and higher end residential on the higher end of price

Is polished concrete cheaper than floorboards 

Generally yes installation rates range from 25 to 35 per square meter and floor boards themselves cost anywhere from 60 to 130 per 

Is polished concrete cheaper than laminate floors

Depends on quality of the flooring. The cheapest laminate flooring fully installed is around 50 to 70 dollars a meter, this is cheap and nasty flooring for low cost budgets in mind where as more durable and higher end will cost anywhere from 110 to 130 a meter

Is polished concrete cheaper than tiles general 

Yes cost of tiles are typically between 130 to 205 dollars a meter installed

Are polished concrete floors toxic 

No polished concrete is not toxic as it is not treated with harmful voc chemicals.

Are polished concrete floors stain proof 

No they are not as there is no topical sealer on top. As with any natural stone floor polished concrete only has a penetrating sealer in the floor to help buy you some time as to clean up spills in a timely manner

Can you steam mop polished concrete floors 

it is not advised to steam mop polished concrete, a mop and hot water with a ph neutral floor cleaner is all that is needed.auto scrubbing machines can be used in large commercial spaces

How to get nail polish off concrete 

Either wipe it off with a cloth or use some nail polish remover on a cloth. 

Do you polish existing or just new floors 

We are able to polish floors for brand new property sites whether they are new homes, retail shops, showrooms, car parking areas or a factory. We are also able to grind, seal and polish an existing concrete floor in an existing property if the tiles, lino or carpet has been removed.

Can you remove tiles, floor boards, carpet or lino

No, this is done at by the client before we come in. 

At what stage do you come out to do the job

For new residential builds its better to do the grinding and grouting stage when the slab is doen before framing goes up . we then come back at lock up stage to complete the polishing stage. For commercial  builds we have to work in with other trades but preferably before any painting and cabinetry

Can I choose the colour and stones 

Absolutely, clients can change colour and stones for new builds only. However, this needs to be done at design stage and clients need to liaise with their builder/concrete contractors to organise

Will the concrete crack  

yes concrete unfortunately will crack but various things can be done to minimise cracking in concrete floors. We can give advise on best practice with placement and curing practices to help minimise surface cracking

Can I have in floor heating 

yes you can have in floor heating in polished concrete floors

Can I have polished concrete in wet areas 

Absolutely you can have polished concrete floors in wet areas either inside or outside. Not mechanical polished concrete only coatings ie grind and seals

How long will it take 

Depends on size of the job, how much hand work with hand grinders and hand polishing is needed. Typically 100 square metres will take 2 days to do first stage grind and grouting and 3 to 5 days when we come back to polish and finish the job

Is it slippery 

Mechanical polished concrete inside isn’t slippery at all. Unless its covered with water, outside concrete is typically ground and sealed with a roll on coat that will give it grip. It can also be acid etched to give extra grip this is generally used around pools and outdoor entertaining areas

Can I have polished concrete outside 

Absolutely you can have polished concrete floors outside. Outdoor finishes are either a grind & seal or pavilion finish. Mechanical polished concrete is an indoor application. 

What is the difference between Grind & Seal/Polished Concrete

Many people believe that Polished Concrete is a Grind and Seal, contrary to popular belief they are two different methods of concrete floor refinishing. The main difference between sealed concrete and a true polished concrete slab is the densifiers added to a polished floor to strengthen its durability, polishing capability and lifespan.

A sealed concrete floor is only protected with a coating system, whereas a mechanical polished concrete floor has special chemicals added to the floor to harden the cement paste and provide a tight surface to be polished.

When done correctly polished concrete floors will last a lifetime with proper care. The only maintenance required with polished concrete is a rebuff every 10 or so years if it has dulled. The rebuffing will bring back the gloss in the floor

As a sealed concrete floor is coating applied over the top of the concrete it can scratch and damage more easily. Sealed concrete will require recoating every 3 to 5 years depending on traffic and sealer product used.

Polished concrete, on the other hand, uses chemical hardeners that have been added to the floor making them highly scratch resistant.

Generally speaking, a true polished concrete floor can cost around double the price as a grind a seal but is a more cost-effective flooring solution in the long run as it never requires a recoating.

How should polished concrete floors be cleaned?

Cleaning polished concrete floors is relatively simple. Vacuuming or using a microfibre dust mop is best, as dust can accumulate on the floors. It is best to use a wet mop once per week with a pH-neutral floor cleanser, followed by using a damp mop rinsed in clean, warm water.

Please note that water cannot be applied on polished concrete floors for the first three days after the floor polishing is complete. This time allows the chemical process to fully dry and will ensure that no discolouration of the finish that could occur if water is applied to the floors too early.

Only using pH-neutral cleaning agents are essential. Do NOT use any bleach detergent or acid-based cleaners such as vinegar or ammonia. These cleansers will damage the surface of the floor. Do no use abrasive cleaning materials such as scourers or scrubbers will leave unsightly scuff marks and diminish the lustre of the floor.

How should spills and stains be handled with polished concrete flooring?

If liquids such as tea, coffee, wine or soft drinks spill on the floor, clean the spills as soon as possible, with clean, warm water and a mop.

Reactive Stains: Orange and lemon juice or any acidic food or juice must be cleaned off the floor quickly, as they can etch into the floor and cause damage.

Penetrating Stains: Oils and red wine should also be cleaned immediately, as they can leave a discolouration on polished concrete floors.

Carefully consider what cleaners will be used in wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens and laundries. Many cleaning products contain acidic or alkaline agents and MUST NOT be used. Haynes Polished Concrete takes no responsibility in floor damage, which results from using cleaning agents that are not conducive to maintaining polished concrete floors. We only recommend using a pH-neutral floor cleaner which is available for purchase at hardware stores, Bunnings or cleaning supply stores.

Is polished concrete fixable if it is damaged?

Yes, they are fixable if chips occur; however, there is no guarantee the chipped area will look exactly like the floor around it. Polished concrete floors are generally the hardest floor on the market if done correctly

Will the polished concrete floors crack?

Unfortunately, a concrete floor not cracking is something that cannot be guaranteed. Concrete may not crack for many years and then suddenly hairline cracks may appear in the floor. When cracking occurs, it is generally because of ground movement and the reactivity of the soil the slab is laid on. Even if all measures are taken by the contractors that pour the concrete to minimise cracks while the concete slab is prepared, poured, finished and cured, the slab is still not guaranteed not to crack over time.

Are polished concrete floor slippery?

Polished concrete floors are generally not slippery underfoot unless it is wet. If the floor does get wet, it is no different from any other hard floor surface and can be slippery.  Please note, having cats or dogs inside is a risk if they run around in the home often, as they can slide on the floor and can result in injuries.

Are concrete floors cold underfoot?

Polished concrete is not as cold as one may assume due to its thermal mass. It retains heat from the sunlight and slowly emits radiant heat throughout the night in winter. For this same reason, the floor will stay cool in summer. New homeowners can also opt to have hydronic heating placed within the floor in the design stage for new home builds.

Is it possible to have polished concrete floors in the areas outside the home?

Polished concrete is best suited for indoor use only since it can be a slippery surface when wet. To complement the polished concrete floors inside, we recommend to have either a grind and seal outside with a clear, slip-resistant sealer used or a Pavilion Finish which gives the same grit factor as exposed aggregate but the surface is smooth to walk on.

How to clean polished concrete floors

There are many ways to clean Polished concrete floors. Take a look at some of these three-step processes for more information.

Sweep the floor using an up and down motion which will loosen debris on the surface. For stubborn dirt, wet the area with water then scrub lightly with a cleanser or detergent that has been diluted in warm water. Scrubbing with a dry brush can create abrasions in polished surfaces – do not use this method on finished floors where floor finishes are sensitive to abrasion (most common). Rinse off any remaining residue by flooding it with water or adding spot remover to make solution heavy enough to result in beading off of the floor rather than spreading over the surface for three minutes

Is polished concrete expensive

There are two aspects to consider when working out the costs for polished concrete;

a) Is this for an existing slab – getting this prepared and polished is relatively inexpensive if the surface is in good condition. You also have to factor the cost of removing the current flooring so removing carpet will be cheaper than removing floor tiling for example. 

b) Is this in preparation for polishing a new slab being built – when you are building a new site, the cost of the concrete to be polished will include whatever the size and specifications of the new concrete floor is plus the polishing service. There is a wide variety of colours and textures as well as design specification available to choose from when you are starting with a new slab. Overall cost will depend on those choices, size, thickness and difficulty of the site to get it poured.

Can you use polished concrete outside

You can have polished concrete floors outside that have a grind and seal service, honed or pavilion finish. This will ensure the surface is safe to walk on outside if it gets damp or wet. A high gloss polished concrete floor that is done with a mechanical polishing machine will be for inside areas only.

What is polished concrete floors

Polished concrete flooring is attractive, easy to clean, and can be versatile depending on the intended use. The polished surface has a sheen that reflects light which may enhance any space. Another important thing to mention about this type of flooring is that it can be installed in almost any room imaginable including basements, garages, kitchen cabins, foyers entranceways and more.

Some people prefer concrete because it’s durable while some are drawn to its elegant aesthetic qualities not found with other materials such as linoleum or wood floors. If you decide on concrete for your home you will need an installer who follows state regulations for installation so make sure to do your research before choosing one!

Can you polish concrete with an angle grinder

no polished concrete is done with large grinding and polishing machines.often run off portable generators as they rely on 3 phase power. Small hand polshers are used for edge work and finer detail work

How to do polished concrete

Polished concrete floors should only be created and attempted by qualified professionals  

How to make a polished concrete table top

Table tops are formed up and poured onsite, after the concrete has been cured for the desired time polishing will commence this should be done by professionals for the desired results

How to polish concrete basement floor

As above this should only be done by professionals 

How to wash polished concrete floors

Damp mop with ph neutral floor cleaner

Are polished concrete floors slippery when wet

Polished concrete is quite slip-resistant. A polished floor will be able to use hydrostatic pressure to reduce any coefficient of friction, which in this case would make it actually more slippery when flooded with water because the resultant force needed for floor traction is increased – but the increase in force required to keep a person from slipping over on a dry or wet surface should have no difference. You might even find that an outdoor polished concrete patio feels less slippy than rocks or grass, and this would seem counterintuitive until you consider how much work could go into making an outdoors area safe from slipping despite being far more robust than indoor conditions without the need for frequent maintenance.

How to polish and seal concrete

Polishing concrete in volves grinding the concrete and using chemicals to grout and harden the concrete so it can be polished with planetary floor grinders and polishers. It is then sealed using a penetrating sealer and buffed off.

What are the benefits of using polished concrete?

Energy efficient

Easy to clean 

Low maintenance

No harmful voc’s

Visually appealing

New floors can be customised to customers tastes including different stones and color

Hard wearing

What is the best type of sealant for polished concrete?

Polished concrete doesn’t have a topical sealer. It has a penetrating sealer applied at installation time

What is full aggregate exposure finish polished concrete

The maximum amount of stone is shown creating the hardest wearing surface acheivable

Mechanical Polishing vs. Topical sealer

Mechanical polished concrete is ground and treated with chemicals then polished using diamond impregnated pads to poruce hard wearing floors vs topical sealed floors where the floor is ground then a sealer is rolled onto the surface to produce the shine

Is polished concrete slippery?

No polished concrete is not slippery under foot no more than tiles .

Is polished concrete a good flooring?

Polished concrete is both visually appealing and hard wearfing and easy to clean .also it will outlast any other flooring option

Are polished concrete floors expensive?

They are actually cheaper over the life time of the the floor than anyother flooring option because it gets done once and thats it..

Do concrete floors save money?

Yes see above

How long does a polished concrete floor last?

Polished concrete will last the lifetime of the floor in most cases. A rejuvenation may be done after about 7 to 10 years of a seal and rebuff

Where can I get affordable concrete grinding and polishing services in Melbourne

Concrete Grinding and Polishing should never be outsourced to just whomever gives the best deal because it will likely end up costing more due to all the hidden costs that go into properly preparing and fixing what’s wrong with a slab. You need someone who knows how to get rid of abrasions, deep scratches, stain marks and all other types of problems without having any negative impact on your slab’s structural integrity. If high quality