10 things you need to know about polished concrete flooring by Natasha Brinsmead

Polished concrete flooring is exactly that — concrete (a mix of cement, gravel, sand and water) that is poured onto the floor, before being polished to the required sheen.

Of course, as with everything, it isn’t quite as straightforward as that. Chemical ‘densifiers’ also tend to be added to the mix, in varying combinations. These act to increase the density of the surface of the concrete floor and will also fill any holes and pores that might otherwise appear.

Once the concrete is poured and set to the required hardness, diamond polishing tools are used to grind the surface until the level of sheen you want is achieved. The concrete can also be coloured with pigments or finished with