If you’re researching polished concrete for your next flooring project, you’re not alone. The clean, seamless look and long-term durability of polished concrete has made it one of the most sought-after finishes in homes, shops, offices, and showrooms across the UK.

But what if your existing concrete isn’t suitable? What if it’s cracked, stained, uneven – or just not giving you the aesthetic you’re after? That’s where polished concrete overlays come in

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What Is a Polished Concrete Overlay?

A concrete overlay is a thin layer of specially formulated, high-performance cement that’s poured over an existing slab. Once cured, it’s mechanically polished just like traditional concrete – giving you the same look and feel of polished concrete floors, but with more control over the result.

At Multi-Hire Power Tools, we supply, support, and train contractors in the use of market-leading TRU® Self-Levelling Overlays from Rapid Set®. With the right tools and application, overlays can produce better, faster and more reliable finishes than polishing existing concrete alone.

Why Choose an Polished Concrete Overlay Instead of Polishing the Existing Floor?

Here are the key reasons contractors and clients are opting for overlays instead of grinding old concrete:

✅ Consistent Finish

Unlike old concrete, overlays are designed to be polished. They’re poured to a smooth, level finish – so no patchiness, no exposed repairs, and no surprise aggregate.

✅ Faster Turnaround

Overlays like TRU SP, TRU PC, and TRU SL are rapid setting. With the right prep and tooling, you can be grinding within hours – not days.

✅ Aesthetic Control

Want a salt & pepper finish? Full stone exposure? Soft grey tones? With overlays, you’re not relying on whatever’s under the surface. You control the outcome.

✅ Ideal for Problem Floors

If the slab is badly cracked, stained, or uneven – polishing it may not give the results you want. Overlays cover and correct surface issues, giving a fresh canvas to polish.

Overlays Can Be More Cost-Effective Than Polishing an Existing Slab

One of the biggest surprises for clients is just how expensive heavy grinding can become. If you’re starting with a rough or uneven floor, getting it flat and polish-ready often means:

• Multiple metal-bond diamond passes
• More labour hours on the grinder
• Higher tooling wear and replacement costs
• Slower progress and extended hire periods

In many cases, switching to a polished concrete overlay system makes better financial sense.

Here’s Why It Can Save You Money:

Less Grinding = Less Labour and Tooling Cost

Polished overlays like TRU PC or TRU SP are designed to go down flat and level. You’re not trying to grind out 10mm of highs and lows — you’re polishing from a perfect starting point, which means:

• Fewer diamond stages
• Shorter machine time
• Lower consumable costs
• Less stress on your team and machines

Use Cheaper Concrete Below

When you polish a traditional slab, the concrete mix itself must be premium quality – often with specified aggregate content, low shrinkage, and high strength. That drives up material costs.

With overlays, the subfloor simply needs to be sound and level – not aesthetically perfect. You can:

• Use more cost-effective base concrete
• Avoid expensive mix specifications
• Focus your spend on the overlay and finish, where it matters

Contractors across the UK are already switching to overlays for this reason alone – faster turnaround, more predictable results, and fewer costly surprises.

TRU® Overlay Options We Support

At Multi-Hire, we stock and supply the full TRU range:

🟠 TRU SL

Perfect for ultra-smooth surfaces and light polishing
– Cream or salt & pepper finish

⚫ TRU PC(Polished Concrete Look)

Contains aggregate for a classic exposed stone aesthetic
– Ideal for high-end commercial or residential finishes

⚪ TRU SP (Salt & Pepper)

A finer finish with uniform sand exposure
– Perfect for minimal, modern interiors

Not sure which product suits your project? Call our team – we’ll help you pick the right overlay and supply everything you need.

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What You’ll Need for Overlay Polishing

To polish a TRU overlay properly, you’ll need the right machines, tooling, and chemicals, including:

• ✅ Planetary grinders like the Husqvarna T5, T6, or Duratiq X8
• ✅ Premium metal and resin-bond diamonds
• ✅ Lithium densifiers and penetrating sealers
• ✅ Training on timings, techniques, and finishes (ask us about our overlay training days)

Not a Contractor? We Don’t Install – But We’ll Train You

We don’t install overlays ourselves – we support the people who do. If you’re a contractor looking to add polished overlays to your offering, we’ll train you and supply you with the tools, materials, and ongoing support you need to deliver top-tier finishes.  Don’t want to do it yourself, we have a list of professionals who can help you achieve your dream floor.

Whether you’re a builder, polisher or flooring specialist – we’ll help you get started and avoid the common mistakes.

Looking for Polished Concrete? Think Overlay First.

Before you commit to grinding your existing slab, consider the benefits of overlay systems:

✅ Faster
✅ More predictable
✅ Aesthetic flexibility
✅ Repair-friendly
✅ Repeatable results every time

Want to Learn More?

📞 Call us today or
📍 Visit our Warrington showroom
📩 Join our newsletter for upcoming training dates and overlay product updates

Multi-Hire Power Tools – Your Partner in Polished Concrete Overlays