Our Services

Concrete Polishing and Honing

Polished Concrete Flooring Built for Performance

Polished and honed concrete floors are a strong, long-lasting flooring option that combine durability with modern aesthetics with the added benefit of being eco- friendly.
Its durability has made it a go-to for commercial sites but it’s modern aesthetics and low maintenance has also made it popular in residential homes.
Northern Floors, concrete polishing contractors provide polishing services in Far North Queensland for both residential and commercial concrete polishing.
We specialise in transforming plain concrete into polished, refined surfaces that enhance both residential and commercial environments, for both indoor and outdoor settings.
Whether you’re upgrading an existing floor or starting from scratch, our team ensures every surface is properly prepared and finished to the highest standard.
Concrete solutions for residential and commercial applications include:
  • Concrete grinding and surface preparation
  • Concrete polishing for a smooth, modern finish
  • Honed concrete for external non-slip areas
  • Honed concrete internal matt or gloss finishes

We make the entire process smooth, efficient, and built to last.

Concrete grinding and surface preparation

Our concrete grinding and surface preparation services are the foundation of every high-quality concrete finish. We remove imperfections, old coatings, adhesives, and uneven surfaces, leaving your concrete clean, smooth, and ready for its next stage.
Proper preparation is a critical processes that not only improves the appearance of the finished surface but also ensures maximum durability, adhesion, and long-term performance.
Whether you are preparing for polishing, epoxy coatings, sealing, or resurfacing, our team delivers precision workmanship with outstanding attention to detail.

We make the entire process smooth, efficient, and built to last.

Concrete polishing for a smooth, modern finish

Concrete polishing provides a sleek, contemporary finish that is both visually appealing and highly durable.

Through a multi-step grinding and polishing process, your ordinary concrete is transformed into a smooth, refined surface with varying levels of sheen.

Polished concrete is low maintenance, easy to clean, and resistant to wear, making it ideal for homes, retail spaces, and commercial environments. Its modern appearance complements a wide range of architectural and interior styles. Best application areas include

  • Kitchens and living rooms
  • Retail spaces
  • Galleries
  • Apartment foyers and lifts
  • Commercial interiors

What is involved?

  • Consultation and site assessment
  • Surface preparation and grinding
  • Process of mechanical refinement through densifying, honing and polishing with progressively finer grits to reveal a shiny, reflective finish
  • quality check

We make the entire process smooth, efficient, and built to last.

Honed concrete for external non-slip areas

Honed concrete is a popular choice for outdoor areas where both style and safety are important. This finish provides a lightly textured, non-slip surface that is ideal for patios, pool surrounds, pathways, and alfresco spaces.
The honing process can expose as little or as much of the natural stone and aggregate within the concrete as desired, creating a visually attractive finish. A sealant is then applied on the concrete.

Designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy foot traffic, honed concrete offers performance with minimal maintenance. It delivers the perfect balance of functionality, durability, and modern outdoor design.

Process:

  • Consultation and site assessment
  • Surface preparation and grinding
  • Mechanical refinement stopping at the desired look and grit.
  • Application of a sealant
  • Quality check

We make the entire process smooth, efficient, and built to last.

Honed concrete internal matt or gloss finishes

Internal honed concrete offers a sophisticated and seamless flooring solution for modern interiors. It has a softer appearance without the reflection of a polished concrete. Available in matt or gloss finishes, this surface can be tailored to suit both contemporary and classic design styles, typically retaining more of the natural character and texture of the concrete. The sealant applied on top helps resists stains, and seals from water penetration.

It is a durable, low-maintenance option that performs exceptionally well in residential and commercial spaces alike. It is also more budget friendly than a polished concrete.

Honed concrete adds value and style to any interior environment.

Process:

  • Consultation and site assessment
  • Surface preparation and grinding
  • Mechanical refinement stopping at the desired look and grit.
  • Application of a sealant
  • Quality check

We make the entire process smooth, efficient, and built to last.

Polished concrete FAQS

General

How much does polished concrete cost?
  • Knowing how much a polished concrete may cost will depend on many factors such as
  •  Whether the concrete is new or old.
  • Whether a new concrete has been laid and set to a standard suitable for polishing, and an old concrete is likewise in suitable condition.
  • What the desired appearance of a concrete polish is, such as levels of exposure or levels of gloss finish.
  • If any surface preparation such as removing or preparing existing floors is needed.
While these factors impact final price, polished concrete remains more affordable than most people think, especially when compared to other premium floor finishes. The minimal maintenance and exceptional lifespan are also factors to consider when comparing costs over the lifetime of the floor.
In most cases you can polish an existing/older concrete so long as the existing concrete is structurally sound and stable. Booking Northern Floors for a free measure and quote, at which time the concrete is evaluated and tested, is the easiest way to determine the concrete’s condition. The team at Northern Floors, are concrete rectification specialists, turning tired, unsightly slabs into works of art.
Polished concrete thrives in the tropical climate of Far North Queensland (FNQ). It remains unaffected by high humidity and moisture where other flooring options fail. In hot humid conditions some other flooring options can harbour mould and bacteria, becoming a major health risk, especially to those with asthma. Polished concrete eliminates this risk.
Polished concrete is a great alternative to more traditional floor coverings, as it has long lifespan, lower ongoing maintenance costs and is eco-friendly. A polished floor will last 20-25 years. Depending on wear and tear a buffer may be needed to bring back a crisp shine.
Polished concrete generally provides excellent slip resistance when clean and dry.  Like most hard floor surfaces, polished concrete can become slippery when water, dust or other contaminants are present. As such bathrooms and wet areas are not recommended for polished concrete due the being slippery when wet. For external areas exposed to the weather, a honed non slip finish is recommended over a polished concrete.
If a concrete develops cracks, it is not due to the polishing but the concrete itself. Most shrinkage cracks will typically develop within the first 6 months of a slab’s life. Typically these cracks are hairline cracks between 0.2mm-0.5mm. Existing cracks are assessed and repaired, where appropriate, during the polishing process.
Yes sealers are recommended on both honed and polished concrete because sealers aid in the prevention of contaminants entering the concrete surface. However external sealers are different from polished concrete sealers. Northern floors carries sealers for sale and can advise on the best option for your concrete.

Installation

How do I polish my concrete floor?
You can polish your own concrete floor. However a professional finish is accomplished with industrial tools difficult to acquire for a one-off DIY. Additionally, the range of grinding and polishing pads used vary for each job and are determined through observation of the condition of each concrete. This requires a level of experience in order to recognise how to make the best choice in achieving a professional finish.
The team at Northern floors have the experience and tools to guarantee a professional job.
If you are keen to take on a smaller area yourself we also sell a range of concrete polishing equipment.
The appearance of the finished product will depend greatly on the condition of the concrete and also what your desired goal is.
Yes we do concrete polishing for commercial buildings. Give us a call today to book a free measure and quote.

Care

How do I care for my polished concrete floor?
Polished concrete floors are eco-friendly and low maintenance. Regular sweeping and mopping is all that is required. For dry dirt, use a microfibre dust mop, soft broom or vacuum with a soft floor attachment. For wet cleaning use warm water with a damp mop or microfibre mop. See our FAQ on best cleaning chemicals for polished floors.
Other care such as mats (without rubber backs) to minimise dirt and grit entering the home and minimising wear and tear for heavy traffic areas help maintain shine, as well as felt pads on furniture legs.
The best floor cleaner for polished concrete is a PH neutral floor cleaner. Avoid popular home cleaners with strong acids such as vinegar or harsh degreasers as well as soap based detergents that leave residue. These products can dull the finish and reduce the floor’s appearance over time.
Polished concrete is one of the most durable flooring options, which is one reason it works exceptionally well in commercial spaces. But keep in mind that durable doesn’t men indestructible. Some issues such as strong impact or moving heavy items can still damage a concrete floor. Certain chemicals or strong acids also degrade concrete.
Common spills should be wiped up as soon as possible. Most commonly these include wine, coffee, oils and grease, pet accidents, fruit juice or harsh chemicals. Or anything that may contain high levels of alkalinity and acidity.
Still have questions? Call us on 0457 873 103 or request a free quote today.

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