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Polished concrete is one of the most innovative and economical flooring options available today, and its popularity is leading the flooring market in warehouse, commercial, retail, and decorative facilities across the nation. From showrooms to industrial plants, government and institutional buildings to public facilities, polished concrete is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing phenomena to ever hit the concrete flooring industries.

For the last decade or so, polished concrete has been quietly displacing traditional floorcoverings in the industrial and commercial arena across a range of sectors. Once seen as only something fit for homes and back-of-house applications, polished concrete has since become a sought-after flooring for its strength, durability, aesthetics, sustainable profile and low maintenance. Polished Concrete is a relatively new idea that was born out of traditional stone and terrazzo polishing technology. 

Many industries utilize the protection of epoxy and mortar systems for their floors, especially in factories, warehouses, and similar facility types. These systems can be very affordable, but require frequent re-application every year to three years and plants must be shut down in order to install them so they may correctly dry and cure. Polished concrete offers the same abrasion resistance, durable surface protection of these coating systems, but has a much longer life cycle. Polished concrete systems also do not require plant shutdowns for their installation when the dry-polish process is used.

Polished concrete can be created in a variety of ways, from the least expensive "grind and seal" method to honed concrete, which uses a penetrating sealer to create a reflective surface. Mechanically polished concrete is the type usually used in commercial projects, as it is long-lasting and more durable under heavy foot traffic. It is created by applying a chemical hardener that densifies the porous concrete, and then grinding it to the desired gloss and smoothness. Using a series of progressively fine tools (similar to the process of sanding wood), the concrete can be ground to 800, 1500 or 3000 grit level. Basically, polished concrete flooring is measured by grade and finish – the higher the grade, the larger the exposed aggregates tend to be. And the higher the finish, the shinier the polish is.

Polished concrete offers a number of advantages that other flooring materials can't match, particularly when it comes to durability, aesthetics, sustainability, performance and maintenance.

Polished concrete flooring is extremely strong and resilient and is able to withstand the pressure from very heavy foot traffic and equipment. It is very difficult to damage and is nearly impossible to chip or scratch.

A properly installed, sealed and maintained polished concrete floor can be expected to last a hundred years or more in even the harshest commercial environments. Its life-span will also far surpass that of other floor coverings, such as carpeting, vinyl tile and epoxy. For example, epoxy has a short life span of 1 to 5 years and easily peels, some tile floors may only last 10–20 years, but a polished concrete floor that has been properly maintained may give 100+ years of service.

The design options for polished concrete are vast. Polished concrete is a versatile material that is easily customizable in its appearance, using stunning aggregates, quartz, and colours to create a sense of industrial sophistication in both homes and commercial buildings. It can be created to mimic different materials, such as stones and ceramic tiles. Colours are usually mixed into the concrete before the slab is placed, but can also be applied with dye, stain, or waterproof paint afterward. Patterns can also be carved into the surface while the concrete is setting in order to create a faux tile effect.

Staining imparts a luxurious richness that can't be achieved by any other colouring medium. Rather than produce a solid, opaque effect like paint, stains permeate the concrete to infuse it with luminous, translucent tones that vary depending on the surface they are applied to and the application techniques used. The results can mimic everything from polished marble to tanned leather to natural stone or even stained wood.

Concrete dyes offer more vibrancy of colour (which can be more intense than chemical stains). Dyes are often used in conjunction with polished concrete because they are easy to use and the application process is quick.

In some instances, a plain uncoloured polished concrete floor is preferred. When polished, the natural grey colour of concrete is often chosen for its simplistic and somewhat industrial feel.

Engraving, scoring, cutting, stencilling is just a few of the ways that polished concrete can be customized in addition to colouring. Polished concrete can also be enhanced through engraving or scoring lines and patterns.

Polished concrete fits in with the green movement. In terms of sustainability, polished concrete can be seen as a “green” material as it makes use of the existing floor slab without the use of any extra material. Polishing concrete produces little pollution and uses non-toxic components (water-based, odourless chemical hardeners). It also works as an effective thermal mass, retaining heat in summer and keeping cool in winter.

It can even earn green rating points because of its long lifecycle, neutral impact on indoor air quality and its ability to reduce lighting costs thanks to its reflective properties. When a polished concrete floor reaches the end of its life, it can simply be overlaid with another floor instead of being ripped out to end up on a landfill.

Polished concrete floors are considered low-maintenance, as they are more durable and easier to clean than many flooring options. Polished concrete is easily maintained with the use of clean water or a neutral balance PH cleaner. There are also many cleaners designed for the proper maintenance of polished concrete available.