Considering polished concrete for your next project? Here’s your ultimate guide – brought to you by the floor prep experts at Multi-Hire Power Tools.

Polished concrete floors have moved beyond the industrial space and into homes, offices, and retail environments across the UK. Their sleek finish, strength, and low maintenance have made them a designer favourite – but getting it right takes planning, preparation, and the right equipment.

At Multi-Hire Power Tools, we’re the go-to supplier for contractors looking to hire or buy the best tools for the job – from grinders to vacuums and everything in between. If you’re thinking about polished concrete floors, here’s what you need to know before you commit.

The Pros of Polished Concrete Floors

✅ Incredibly Durable
Ideal for high-traffic zones – from kitchens and hallways to showrooms and shop floors.

✅ Low Maintenance
Forget waxes and polish. Just mop and go. A sealed, polished floor repels dust and stains.

✅ Clean, Modern Look
Polished concrete suits everything from industrial interiors to minimalist designs.

✅ Works With Underfloor Heating
Concrete retains heat well, making it both cosy and energy-efficient when combined with UFH.

✅ Seamless & Spacious
No grout lines, no texture breaks – just a continuous, easy-clean surface that reflects light and maximises space.

✅ Highly Customisable
From exposed aggregate to mirror gloss finishes and colour staining – the design possibilities are endless.

The Cons (And How to Avoid Expensive Mistakes)

❌ Can Feel Cold Underfoot
Without underfloor heating, it can feel chilly in winter.

❌ Hard and unforgiving
Dropped items will break. And standing barefoot for long periods isn’t always comfortable.

❌ Industrial Style Isn’t for Everyone
Make sure the look fits your space – not all period homes suit the contemporary finish.

❌ Prep is Critical
If the subfloor isn’t solid, flat and properly prepared, cracks, staining and failures are likely. Skimping on prep can cost you thousands.

❌ Cracks Can Still Happen
Even with the best prep, temperature changes or large pours can cause cracking. That’s why correct expansion joints and flexible sealants matter.

Where Do Polished Concrete Floors Work Best?

• Kitchens & Living Areas – Durable, hygienic and visually striking
• Bathrooms & Utility Rooms – Non-porous and easy to clean when properly sealed
• Retail & Offices – Smart, professional finish that holds up to wear
• Indoor/Outdoor Flow – Extend polished concrete out onto patios and verandas for a continuous look

Is Polished Concrete Expensive?

It depends on the starting point.

• Polishing an existing slab: from £50/m²
• Pouring and polishing new concrete: from £120–£250/m²

Factors that impact cost include:

• Floor size and complexity
• Subfloor condition
• Desired finish or colour
• Access and working conditions

Done right, polished concrete is a long-term investment that holds its value and looks better with age.

Choosing the Right Machine for Polished Concrete Floors

The success of any polished concrete floor depends heavily on the right equipment. Whether you’re tackling a domestic hallway or a 10,000m² warehouse, machine selection matters – and that’s where Multi-Hire Power Tools comes in.

We stock and supply a full range of grinders, vacuums, and polishers – for hire or purchase – and we’ll help you match the right machine to your job, surface, and budget.

🔹 HTC 420 – Compact Power for Tight Spaces

Perfect for small rooms, domestic spaces, and edge work.

• Grinding width: 420mm
• Ideal for: Bathrooms, hallways, test patches, stairs, and residential work
• Why choose it: Lightweight, manoeuvrable, and compatible with 110v power

🔹 Husqvarna PG5/T5 – The All-Rounder

One of the most popular triple-head grinders for medium-sized jobs.

• Grinding width: 500mm
• Ideal for: Garages, showrooms, kitchens, and commercial interiors
• Why choose it: Smooth operation, variable speed control, and edge-capable design

🔹 Husqvarna PG6 / T6 Series – Mid-Large Format Power

Step up your game with professional planetary grinders that cover more ground.

• Grinding width: 600mm
• Ideal for: Industrial units, retail floors, schools, and public buildings
• Why choose it: Aggressive metal cut, even polish, smart features like remote control and pressure control on PG 6R

🔹 HTC DURATIQ X8 – For the Big Jobs

When performance, precision and productivity matter most.

• Grinding width: 800mm
• Ideal for: Warehouses, airports, data centres, distribution centres
• Why choose it: Built-in mist cooling, customisable settings, and unmatched durability.  Extremely high head pressure for a heavy grind.

How Is a Polished Concrete Floor Installed?

1. Surface Preparation
Grind with 25g metals to remove contamination and flatten the surface.

2. Pour (if needed)
For new floors, concrete is poured, then expansion cuts are added the next day.

3. Grinding & Honing
Progress through grinding stages using planetary machines normally we recommend 25g, 50g , 100g ceramic, 200g, 400g …. Up to 3000 if required

4. Densifying & Sealing
Lithium or sodium densifiers are applied to harden the floor. Then sealed for stain resistance.

5. Polishing & Burnishing
Use resin pads up to 3000g or higher to achieve the desired gloss level.

Multi-Hire offers Husqvarna, Terrco, and National Flooring Equipment machines plus the full range of metal and resin tools to make this process easy, reliable, and cost-effective.

Essential Chemicals for Polished Concrete Floors

While grinding and polishing are the backbone of the process, chemicals play a crucial role in achieving a high-performance polished floor that lasts. Here’s what you’ll need – and why each one matters:

🧱 Grout (Optional – But Highly Recommended)

Grouting helps fill in pinholes, micro-cracks, and surface imperfections revealed during initial grinding stages. It improves the clarity and evenness of the finish.

Recommended Products:

• GM3000 – A trusted Husqvarna grout that blends with slurry for seamless surface repair
• Metzger McGuire SRG – Ideal for industrial floors and colour-matched repairs
• PinFix – Perfect for hairline crack repair before densifying
• PG7K – A great general-purpose option for smaller surface defects

Tip: Grouting is typically done after your 100g grind and before densifier application for the best visual result.

💎 Densifier – Strength That Goes Deep

Densifiers chemically react with concrete to harden and dustproof the surface. This step is non-negotiable if you want a floor that resists wear, retains its shine, and lasts years.

Popular Densifiers We Recommend:

• Crete Colors C2 Hard Blend – Lithium-silicate based for deep penetration and long-term performance. Available at Smart Floor.
• Ameripolish 3D HS+ – Great for polished floors with increased abrasion resistance

Apply densifier after your 100g or 200g grind – allow proper dwell time, then re-cut before moving into finer resin stages.

🛡️ Sealer – Lock in the Look

While polished concrete is dense, it’s still porous. Sealing protects the floor from staining, etching and moisture ingress – particularly in kitchens, retail spaces, and homes.

Types of Sealers:

• Penetrating Sealers (e.g. SR2wb) – Soak into the concrete for invisible, breathable protection
• Nano-Guard Sealers (e.g. Shield ) – Add stain resistance without altering gloss or colour
• Topical Sealers (e.g. 3DSPE) – Leave a surface film and can increase gloss but may require more maintenance

 Sealer is applied after final polishing, some should be buffed or burnished with a diamond-impregnated pad for best performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can polished concrete be retrofitted?
Yes, but it’s more complex than polishing new concrete. You’ll need to remove existing floor coverings, re-level, and re-prep.

Does it crack?
Hairline cracks are possible over time. Good prep, flexible sealants, and expansion cuts reduce this risk significantly.

Is it slippery?
Despite appearances, polished concrete has good slip resistance – especially when finished to a matte or satin sheen.

Why Contractors Choose Multi-Hire

• Expert Advice – We’re here to help, not just sell
• Hire or Buy – Flexible options for projects of all sizes
• Trusted Brands – From Husqvarna to Portamix, Terrco to NFE
• Stocked Parts & Repairs – Fast turnaround from our in-house workshop
• Training Support – Book a demo, get project advice, or call for on-the-job troubleshooting

Ready to start your polished concrete journey?

Call us today, pop into our Warrington showroom, or browse our product range online. Whether you’re polishing your first floor or kitting out for a commercial job, Multi-Hire Power Tools is here to support you.

📞 0345653633
🌐 www.multi-hire.co.uk
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Multi-Hire Power Tools – The Experts in Polished Concrete Floors