How Much Do Polished Concrete Floors Cost? [2024]

Concrete has been with us for a long time, but polished concrete floors are a more recent development. The first polished concrete floors were made in Europe in about 1991, and now polished concrete has become a preferred flooring for offices and homes.

Polishing concrete can give a floor a distinctive look with very low maintenance, but what is the cost of polished concrete floors? Read this guide to find out:

• How much does a polished concrete floor cost?
• Types of concrete polishing
• The process of polishing concrete
• Polished concrete effects
• Getting quotes for polished concrete floors

How much does a polished concrete floor cost?

The average cost of polished concrete floors is between $50 and $65 per square metre, with the average total cost being around $2,500 for the finished floor. Different polishing techniques have different price levels. Expect to pay:

The price can vary depending on many factors, including:

• Size – a small area will cost proportionally more than a larger area for two reasons: smaller areas need more detail work than large areas and more setup time is required.
• Condition of the floor – a rough surface or a surface with cracks will require extra work to repair before it can be polished.
• Type of concrete finish – polishing exposed aggregate (pebblecrete) or coloured, stamped or stencilled concrete can cost more.
• Type of polishing used – grind and seal, honing and mechanical polishing have different price levels.
• How much polishing is needed – glossy polished concrete floors cost more than those with a matte finish.
• Access – how easy it is for workers and equipment to access the floor.

You can also use our concrete cost calculator to receive a closer estimate of your next concreting project based on your concrete type and square meterage. 

If you're building a new home, contact concrete grinding services before you start to build. They can come in before the frame is built and polish the floors. This eliminates the need for too much detail work and can lower the cost of polished concrete floors overall.

Types of concrete polishing

There are three ways concrete can be polished, which impacts on the cost:

• Grind and seal – the least expensive way to polish concrete is the grind and seal method. If aggregate is added, the grinding process exposes the aggregate. If aggregate is not used, it's still necessary to polish the concrete. Then a non-penetrating sealer is used to give the floor a polished look. Grind and seal concrete costs around $50 per square metre.
• Honed concrete – similar to grind and seal, but a penetrating sealer is used. Honed concrete costs around $75 per square metre.
• Mechanically polished concrete –the most expensive option at around $100 per square metre. Several grits of special sandpaper give the floor a polished look. A densifier is added that chemically reacts with the concrete. This can be a long process.

Grind and seal concrete will need to be refinished every 5 to 10 years in a home. The non-penetrating sealer is removed and another coat is applied. Honed concrete lasts longer than grind and seal, but mechanically polished concrete will last far longer. This makes mechanically polished concrete floors ideal for high traffic areas.

The process of polishing concrete

No matter which method is used, concrete polishing requires special machinery. Grind and seal is the least expensive, because fewer grits are needed. Mechanically polished concrete must use finer and finer grits of concrete until the required gloss level is achieved, which is why it's more expensive.

Diamond or silicon "sandpaper" is used, because anything less won't last long. Even the grind and seal method requires at least two grades of sandpaper. To get a mechanically polished surface, many more grits are needed. The machine used for most of the floor is large and can't get into corners, so other machines are needed for these areas.

Polished concrete effects

Even plain concrete can look stunning when polished to a matte, satin or high gloss look, with swirls and multiple shades of grey becoming apparent. However, polished concrete doesn't have to be plain. The concrete may also be coloured or have aggregate added for different effects. This adds to the cost of polished concrete floors.

• Aggregate adds colour to a polished concrete floor. Different types of aggregate will have different colours or a mixture of colours for a stunning looking floor. The concrete itself can be coloured too, to create a floor that's more uniform in appearance.
• Patterns can be added to polished concrete floors. The complexity of the pattern will determine the price. A simple pattern in a polished concrete floor costs less than a more complex pattern, but expert concreters can create almost any pattern by using different colours of concrete or using aggregate on one area and coloured concrete or a different colour of aggregate on another area.

Concrete sealers can be matte, satin or high gloss. If the floor is mechanically polished, the gloss level will depend on the grits used. High gloss polished concrete floors cost more, because more work is involved.

Read more: How much is coloured concrete?

Getting quotes for polished concrete floors

Get quotes from concreters or concrete grinding services near you and compare them carefully, making sure you choose a reputable company you can count on to do a good job. They should be able to show you examples of their work and should have years of experience.

A polished concrete floor will last as long as you own your home and you want to aim for the best finish rather than the cheapest finish. Choose an experienced concrete grinding service that offers a warranty and can provide you with references. It may cost more, but you will be more satisfied with the results. 

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.