What Most People Don’t Know About Polished Concrete (And Why It Matters)
I’ll be honest. When I first considered polished concrete for my own home, I wasn’t convinced. I had all the usual doubts. Was it going to feel too cold? Would it crack? Was it going to look too industrial?
Turns out, most of what I thought I knew was either outdated or flat-out wrong.
The first myth people bring up is that polished concrete is cold underfoot. It’s not. Not if you do it right. Our slab was poured with under-slab insulation and the result has been perfect year-round. In summer, it keeps the place cool. In winter, we barely run the heater. You’d be surprised how much difference a properly finished slab makes in temperature regulation.
Then there’s the whole cracking thing. Yes, concrete cracks — but so does everything else if it’s done badly. The key is in the prep and the curing. I worked with a proper concrete finish specialist in Newcastle and we planned it from the start. Right pour, right cut joints, right curing method. No mystery there. And after five years, it still looks brand new.
Another big one is the idea that it’s slippery. No, it’s not. Especially not with the right level of polish. If you go full-gloss and then spill olive oil on it, yeah, it might be slick. But we went with a low-sheen Pavilion Finish, similar to what’s been used in a lot of Central Coast homes lately. It’s got grip, looks smooth, and never feels unsafe underfoot.
Maintenance? Easiest floor I’ve ever had. No grout lines, no floorboards lifting after a season of humidity. I mop it maybe once a week and it looks clean 24/7. We’ve had everything from red wine to muddy dogs on it. Wipes up, no stains, no drama.
People also assume it’s this ultra-modern look that only suits industrial-style homes. Couldn’t be more wrong. Our place is coastal with timber accents and soft tones. The polished concrete just balances it all. Neutral enough to match anything, bold enough to be its own feature.
One thing I didn’t expect? The amount of compliments. People notice it straight away. And they’re surprised when they find out it’s not some fancy imported stone, just smart use of what was already under their feet.
If you’re building or renovating, don’t brush off concrete polishing because of outdated assumptions. Talk to someone who knows what they’re doing. We worked with Bradshaw Polished Concrete after seeing their work on another build, and that decision paid off big time.
Don’t go off myths. Go off results.
