If you are looking for polished floors one of the options is polished concrete. Polished concrete is a versatile material that is easily customizable in its appearance, using stunning aggregates, quartz, and colors to create a sense of industrial sophistication in both homes and commercial buildings. Its reflective surface creates an evocative quality under light, which can be suitable for a variety of programs.

While still mainly used as a material for interior flooring, architects have been pushing the limits of polished concrete for years, using it for feature walls, patio floors and even large exterior panels such as in David Chipperfield’s extension to the Saint Louis Art Museum. Polished concrete can be created in a variety of ways, from the least expensive “grind and seal” method to honed concrete, which uses a penetrating sealer to create a reflective surface. Mechanically polished concrete is the type usually used in commercial projects, as it is long-lasting and more durable under heavy foot traffic.

It is created by applying a chemical hardener that densifies the porous concrete, and then grinding it to the desired gloss and smoothness. Using a series of progressively fine tools (similar to the process of sanding wood), the concrete can be ground to 800, 1500 or 3000 grit level. Another consideration is the concrete’s “exposure level”—that is, the amount of the original surface which is ground away and thus how much of the aggregate material is exposed.