What are the different polish levels?

We work to three CPC finish levels. Honed (Level 2) stops at 400 grit for a matte to satin surface with low sheen, suited to industrial and understated commercial spaces. Gloss (Level 3) runs to 800 grit for clear light reflection, popular in retail and offices. Premium (Level 4) runs to 1500 and 3000 grit for a mirror finish. Each level adds grit steps.

What's the difference between each polish level in terms of work?

Each level follows a set grit sequence. Level 2 uses roughly five steps: 30, 70, 120, 200, 400. Level 3 adds a pass at 800. Level 4 continues through 1500 and up to 3000, for seven or eight total steps. More steps mean more machine time and higher cost, with higher reflectivity in return.

What is aggregate exposure?

Grinding depth decides what you see in the finished floor. A cream finish takes off very little and shows mostly paste. Salt-and-pepper at about a sixteenth of an inch reveals fine aggregate. A medium cut near an eighth of an inch exposes decorative stone. A quarter inch cut brings out large stone. Deeper cuts take more grinding and cost more.

What is burnishing and do I need it?

Burnishing is a high-speed finishing pass at 1,500 to 2,500 RPM with specialized pads. The heat and friction tighten the surface and lift reflectivity. It works best on Level 3 and 4 finishes and improves any guard product. It also works as ongoing maintenance to bring shine back in traffic lanes without a full re-polish.

How long does polished concrete last?

With regular maintenance a polished floor runs 20 years or more before it needs re-polishing. There is no coating to chip or peel because the densifier hardens the slab itself. Floors polished decades ago are still in service with only periodic burnishing.

Why choose polishing over epoxy coating?

Polishing has the lower lifetime cost since there is no coating to replace. It produces no VOCs and cannot delaminate. Epoxy gives you better chemical resistance and far more colour and design options. Polishing suits large commercial floors. Epoxy suits garages and anywhere with chemical exposure.

Can damaged or cracked concrete be polished?

Cracks, pitting and divots have to be repaired first. Grinding does not hide defects, it highlights them. We use colour-matched epoxy or cementitious fillers. Badly damaged slabs are often a poor candidate for polishing, and we assess that during the quote.

What is a densifier and why is it important?

Lithium silicate densifier soaks into the concrete and reacts with free calcium hydroxide to form calcium silicate hydrate. That hardens the surface, closes porosity, stops dusting and improves stain resistance. It goes on after the slab is ground open and before final polishing, applied until the concrete stops absorbing it.

How long does the polishing process take?

Timeline depends on floor size, slab condition, aggregate exposure and finish level. Every grit step is a full pass across the entire floor. Floors with existing coatings need removal time on top. We give you a timeline with your quote.

Is polished concrete slippery?

Dry polished concrete gives good traction because the surface holds microscopic texture. Wet, it is slick like any hard floor. Where moisture is a concern we specify a honed finish instead of high gloss, or add an anti-slip additive to the guard product.

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Concrete Polishing

Commercial concrete polishing that strengthens your slab. No coatings to peel, just densified, reflective concrete. 20+ year lifespan with minimal maintenance. 1,000 sq ft starting at $5,000 (Honed) / $7,000 (Gloss) / $9,000 (Premium).

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What is Concrete Polishing?

Concrete polishing mechanically refines and densifies existing concrete into a hard, reflective surface. Unlike topical coatings, polishing works directly on the concrete slab itself. Heavy planetary diamond grinders progressively refine the floor through coarse metal bonds up to fine resin pads, while a lithium silicate densifier chemically reacts to strengthen the concrete matrix. The result is a dust-free, durable commercial floor with no coating to chip, peel, or delaminate.

How It Works

The sequence follows Concrete Polishing Council (CPC) classifications. Metal-bond diamonds at 30, 70 and 120 grit remove contaminants, flatten the slab and set aggregate exposure. Transitional diamonds at 100 and 200 grit refine the scratch pattern. A lithium silicate densifier is then applied to saturation, penetrating the concrete and reacting to form calcium silicate hydrate that hardens the surface and stops dusting. Resin polishing continues through 400, 800, 1500 and up to 3000 grit depending on the finish level. Each grit must fully remove the previous scratch pattern before moving on. A final high-speed burnishing pass at 1,500 to 2,500 RPM tightens the surface face for maximum clarity.

Ideal For

Retail stores and supermarkets

Warehouses and distribution centers

Manufacturing and industrial facilities

Automotive showrooms and dealerships

Schools, universities, and public buildings

Commercial office buildings

Museums and galleries

High-end restaurants and hospitality venues

Key Benefits

20+ Year Lifespan

No coating to chip, peel or replace. The densifier hardens the slab itself for decades of service

Lowest Lifetime Cost

Higher upfront cost with no recoating cycle, so polished concrete pays for itself over time

Minimal Maintenance

No waxing, stripping or recoating. Dust mop regularly and burnish periodically to hold the shine

Environmentally Friendly

Uses the existing concrete slab with no VOCs or chemical emissions

Light Reflectivity

High reflectivity brightens commercial facilities and distribution centers using existing ambient light

Dust-Free Surface

Densifier stops concrete dusting, which matters in warehouses, manufacturing and clean-room adjacent spaces

Won't Delaminate

Nothing can peel or chip because the surface is the concrete itself, chemically hardened

Sustainable Choice

No demolition waste, uses existing materials, and contributes toward green building credits

Our Installation Process

Surface Assessment & Prep

Evaluating the existing slab, removing coatings or adhesives with aggressive prep abrasives, and repairing cracks and damage with the correct fillers.

Coarse Grinding (30-120 Grit)

Metal-bond diamond grinding flattens the slab and removes contaminants. This stage sets aggregate exposure, from a cream finish with minimal cut to exposed stone with a deeper cut.

Fine Grinding (100-200 Grit)

Transitional diamonds refine the surface. Each grit fully removes the scratch pattern left by the previous step. No steps are skipped.

Densifier Application

Lithium silicate densifier penetrates and reacts with the concrete to form calcium silicate hydrate, hardening the surface and stopping dusting. Applied until the slab stops absorbing.

Honing (400 Grit)

Builds the initial sheen. For Level 2 honed finishes this is the final polishing step, producing a matte to satin surface with low reflection.

Polishing (800 Grit)

For Level 3 gloss finishes this step creates clear light reflectivity. From 30 to 50 feet away the floor reflects overhead and side lighting.

High-Polish (1500-3000 Grit)

For Level 4 premium finishes, progressive resin polishing builds mirror clarity. Standing over the floor you see a sharp reflection.

Burnishing (Optional)

High-speed burnishing at 1,500 to 2,500 RPM tightens the surface through heat and friction, lifting reflectivity and working in any guard product.

What's Included

Industrial diamond grinding (30/40 → 80 → 150 → 400)

Concrete densifier application

Resin polish steps (800 → 1500 → 3000)

Optional topical guard

Care & Maintenance

Polished concrete needs no waxing, stripping or recoating. Daily dust mopping removes the abrasive grit that dulls a surface over time. Weekly auto-scrubbing or damp mopping with a pH-neutral cleaner keeps the finish sharp. Never use vinegar or acidic products, they etch densified concrete. In high-traffic commercial spaces, periodic burnishing restores shine without a full re-polish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concrete Polishing Installation Across Edmonton & Area

We install concrete polishing throughout the Edmonton metropolitan area. Click your city to learn about our services in your neighbourhood.

Edmonton Sherwood Park St. Albert Spruce Grove Fort Saskatchewan Leduc Beaumont Stony Plain Devon Nisku

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