Sheet · 1–100 mm
Cementitious — indicative fig. M·07
Fire A1 Non-combustibleEmbodied carbon 0.10kgCO₂e/kg LowCompressive 25-50MPa StructuralDesign life 30yr
Polished concrete floors are produced by diamond-grinding a structural concrete slab through progressive grit sequences (30 to 3000 grit) to expose aggregate and create a hardwearing, low-maintenance surface. The finish offers exceptional durability (30–50+ years for the polish, 60–100+ years for the slab), intrinsic thermal mass benefits, zero VOC emissions once cured, and a striking industrial-modern aesthetic suited to a wide range of Australian commercial and residential applications. Silica dust management during the grinding process is the primary WHS concern.
01 Physical
Density 2400kg/m3
Specific gravity 2.4
Porosity 2-5%
Water absorption <1 (sealed)%
Hardness 7-8Mohs
UV resistance good
Chemical resistance good (sealed)
pH tolerance 11-13pH
Surface roughness 0.1-1.5μm Ra
02 Mechanical
Tensile strength 2.2-4.1MPa
Compressive strength 25-50MPa
Flexural strength 3.0-5.0MPa
Shear strength 2.5-4.5MPa
Poisson's ratio 0.2
Impact resistance moderate
Creep resistance good
03 Thermal
Thermal conductivity 1.7W/m·K
Specific heat 880J/kg·K
Thermal expansion 10×10⁻⁶/°C
04 Compliance & Fire First question
Combustibility class Non-combustible (AS 1530.1 Group 1)
Fire resistance level 60/60/60 (100mm slab)FRL (minutes)
Ignition temp N/A°C
Flame spread index 0Index value
Smoke dev. index 0SDI
Heat release rate 0kW/m²
NCC group number Group 1
05 Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon 0.10-0.16kg CO2-eq/kg
Carbon footprint 22-35kg CO2-eq/m²
Embodied energy 1.1-1.9MJ/kg
Water footprint 25-40L/m²
Recyclability 100%
Recycled content 0-40%
Renewable content 0%
Circular score 7/10
VOC emissions 0 (cured slab and densifier); <50 g/L (water-borne sealer during application)μg/m³
Toxicity rating non-toxic (cured)
LEED contribution 3-5points
06 Durability · Cost · Logistics
Expected lifespan 30-50 (polish); 60-100+ (slab)years
Maintenance interval 2-5years
Warranty period 1-2years
Material cost (range) 180-280AUD/m³
Material cost (per unit) 65-200AUD/m²
Lead time 28 days cure + 3-5 days polishingdays
Lifecycle cost 120-200AUD/m² over 30 years
Annual maintenance 1-7AUD/m²/year
Market availability readily available
07 Assessment
Advantages
- Exceptional longevity: polished surface 30–50+ years with maintenance, underlying 100mm slab 60–100+ years; lowest lifecycle flooring cost over 30+ years
- Zero VOC emissions post-cure: suitable for sensitive occupants and Green Star / WELL certification; no adhesives, underlay, or carpet fibres to off-gas
- High thermal mass (2400–2500 kg/m³, specific heat ~880 J/kg·K): stores solar or hydronic heat, reduces HVAC peak loads by 15–25% in well-designed passive buildings
- Non-combustible (AS 1530.1): does not contribute to fire load; fire resistance level depends on slab thickness — 100mm achieves FRL 60/60/60 per AS 3600 Table 5.3.2
- Abrasion resistance class AR4 (AS 1580): densified and polished surface withstands forklift traffic, retail foot traffic, and wheeled equipment without significant wear
- Slip resistance controllable by grit stopping point: unsealed 400-grit achieves wet pendulum P4 (R11); sealer type and anti-slip additives can achieve P5 (R12) per AS 4586
- Hygienic and allergen-free: no fibres, grout joints, or adhesive reservoirs for bacteria, mould, or dust mites — suitable for food preparation areas and health facilities
- Sustainable use of existing structure: no additional materials required; eliminates embodied carbon of floor covering layer; recycled content achievable via SCM-blended concrete
- Versatile aesthetic: exposure level, dye colour, sealer sheen (matte to mirror), and aggregate selection offer broad design palette suited to residential through to institutional
- Integrates with in-slab hydronic heating and cooling systems without the acoustic/thermal penalty of floating floor finishes; no floor covering layer to degrade heat transfer
Constraints
- Hard underfoot: extended standing on polished concrete without anti-fatigue matting causes fatigue — hardness approximately 7 Mohs (densified surface)
- Cold surface temperature in unheated winter conditions (thermal mass absorbs ambient heat); requires in-slab heating for comfort in southern Australia
- Slippery when wet if unsealed or over-polished — AS 4586 wet pendulum P3/R10 compliance requires correct grit stopping point or anti-slip sealer additive
- Silica dust hazard during grinding — RCS classified IARC Group 1 carcinogen; strict WHS controls mandatory (0.05 mg/m³ TWA from 2020)
- Surface cracking: concrete shrinkage cracks will telegraph through polish; control joints must be planned carefully or accepted as part of the aesthetic
- Noise: NRC 0.02–0.05 — highly reflective, poor acoustic absorption; requires supplementary acoustic treatments (ceiling baffles, soft furnishings) in open-plan spaces
- Not suitable for areas exposed to prolonged standing water without hydrophobic sealer — moisture rising through slab without DPC will cause surface efflorescence
- Re-polishing required every 5–10 years in high-traffic commercial applications; requires specialist contractor and 1–3 day downtime per area
- Colour variation inevitable: aggregate type, cement batch, water-cement ratio, and age all affect final appearance; control samples essential before commitment
- Higher initial cost than paint or vinyl in residential context: AUD $65–$200/m² installed vs vinyl plank AUD $35–$75/m² installed
08 Applications
A1 Residential slab-on-ground flooring Primary interior floor finish for new residential homes with concrete slab subfloor. Polishing the existing structural slab eliminates the need for separate floor covering, saving $35-80/m² in flooring cost while gaining thermal mass benefit for passive solar design. Common in Melbourne and Adelaide where concrete slab construction is standard.
A2 Residential renovation / slab reveal Existing carpet, tiles, or timber floors removed from concrete slab base to reveal and polish the underlying concrete. Highly sustainable approach — no new materials installed. Common in warehouse-to-residential conversions and 1960s-80s brick veneer renovation in VIC/SA.
A3 Commercial retail tenancy High-traffic retail floors in shopping centres, standalone retail, and specialty stores. Full aggregate exposure with semi-gloss finish and stain-resistant topical sealer. AR4 abrasion resistance suits 2,000-5,000+ daily foot traffic. Cost-effective over 10+ year lease term compared to replacement vinyl or carpet tile.
A4 Hospitality and food service Cafés, restaurants, bars, and commercial kitchens. Full exposure or salt-and-pepper finish with colour dye and dense polyurethane sealer for beverage spill resistance. Hygienic — no grout joints for bacterial growth. Requires anti-slip additive in wet zones. Common in Melbourne laneway café culture.
A5 Industrial warehouse and logistics Economic honed concrete (30-grit to 400-grit, densifier-only, no sealer) for forklift-trafficked warehouse floors. Primary benefit is dust-proofing (densifier closes surface pores eliminating concrete dust 'dusting') and improved reflectivity for warehouse lighting efficiency. Standard in Bunnings, ALDI, and logistics warehouse fitouts.
A6 Commercial office fitout Open-plan commercial offices, co-working spaces, and creative studios. Typically salt-and-pepper or light aggregate exposure with penetrating sealer. Combined with area rugs and acoustic baffles to manage NRC limitation. Cost per m² typically 30-50% of quality carpet tile over 10-year lifecycle.
A7 Educational facilities Schools, TAFE campuses, universities — high-traffic corridors, common areas, and classrooms. Low maintenance, hygienic, allergen-free. Resists graffiti and food spills with topical sealer. Used extensively in government school upgrades across VIC, NSW, QLD since 2010.
A8 Health and medical facilities Hospital corridors, medical consulting suites, and aged care facilities. Allergen-free, easy to clean with hospital-grade neutral disinfectants. No grout joints for pathogen harbourage. Specify anti-fatigue matting in standing-work areas. Compliant with infection control guidelines.
A9 Passive solar residential design Polished concrete as thermal mass floor in NatHERS-rated homes and ESD-designed residential projects. High thermal mass (880 J/kg·K, 2400 kg/m³) absorbs daytime solar radiation through north-facing glazing and releases overnight. Contributes to NatHERS star rating improvement in all climate zones 5-7 (Canberra, Hobart, alpine areas). Must be exposed (not covered with rugs/insulation) to function.
A10 Heritage industrial building conversion Factory, warehouse, and industrial building conversions to residential, commercial, or cultural use. Polishing reveals original aggregate, construction marks, and history of the slab — valued as authentic material expression. Avoids demolition waste and new material carbon cost. Common in Melbourne's inner suburbs (Collingwood, Fitzroy, Richmond) and Sydney's Surry Hills and Alexandria.
09 Sources & Standards
Sources pending — citations for this material are not yet recorded. Verify all figures against manufacturer data and current standards before specifying.