Why do I need a sealer?

Concrete is porous so unless a sealer, be it acrylic, polyurethane, epoxy or GTA hardener is used then the natural porosity will be susceptible to staining and scratching.

Can concrete hearths or steps be polished?

Hearths and steps can be polished. Steps will need to be stripped, hand trowelled and filled on the day of pour.

Can I have burnished concrete flooring in a family home?

The quality of a burnished floor comes down to the quality of the concrete contractor. The contractor will typically run a powered trowel or "helicopter" over the wet concrete slab and with experience and care can achieve quite a smooth finish. It is not easy and any imperfection, gouge or non-level area or dip will be very visible in the final concrete floor.

What tips would you give in order to ensure the job is done smoothly and correctly?

Regular contact should be made between the builder or owner/builder and the concrete polisher to ensure polishing can commence and be completed at the right stages of the project.

How does the process differ from having tiled, carpeted, or timber floors?

In a new build polished concrete floors are completed at the plaster stage before any skirts, cabinetry and joinery is installed.

What does exposure mean?

Exposure is the amount of aggregate (rock, quartz, pebble etc) that is able to be seen as a result of the grinding process.

At what stage should we polish?

Can a concrete floor be damaged and subsequently repaired?

A concrete floor though very hard and durable is not completely invincible. A floor can be damaged, for example, should someone hit the floor with a chisel. Sometimes, particularly if a slab was poured incorrectly with too wet a mix, a piece of aggregate (small stone) may become dislodged from the finished surface after a certain amount of time.