Mechanically polished concrete is the real deal – the shine comes from the concrete itself, not a coating sitting on top. The result is a hard-wearing, easy-care floor with the look of stone. Grind It is based on the northern Gold Coast and polishes floors for homes and businesses across the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Northern NSW.
Polishing concrete is a lot like sanding timber, just with much heavier machinery. We grind with coarse diamonds to expose as much (or as little) stone as you want, apply a liquid hardener (densifier) that hardens the concrete from the inside, then polish through progressively finer grits to your chosen sheen. With no thick topcoat, there's nothing to peel or flake off – that's the big difference from grind and seal.
Polished concrete suits living areas and kitchens in new builds and renovations, garages and display homes, shops, salons, barbers, cafés, offices and showrooms, and features like BBQ bench tops.
It's best suited indoors. For pool surrounds, patios and paths we'd usually recommend a honed finish – see our Honed & Exposed Aggregate page.
Exposure – how much stone you see:
No exposure – a clean, cement-look "industrial" finish.
Partial exposure – a light scattering of stone through the surface.
Full exposure – the aggregate fully revealed for that classic polished stone look.
Sheen – how shiny it gets:
Matt – low reflection, relaxed look.
Satin / semi-gloss – for example, finished at 800 grit.
High gloss – for example, finished at 1500 grit.
We can do a test patch so you can see the exposure before the whole job starts. Every slab is different, so the final look depends on your concrete.
Every job is different, so we'll give you a timeframe with your free quote.
Dust mop regularly (microfibre is best) and put mats at doorways to catch grit. Damp mop weekly with a pH-neutral cleaner – no bleach, ammonia, vinegar or citrus cleaners. Wipe up spills quickly, especially wine, oil and acidic drinks. Depending on foot traffic, a professional re-polish every few years brings back the shine.
As a guide, mechanically polished concrete on the Gold Coast is $85 to $130 per square metre, depending on the finish. Grind and seal and hone and seal start from $70 per square metre. A typical double garage takes 2 to 3 days. Every slab is different, so the exact price comes from a free quote. Call Brendan on 0403 093 740 or book a quote online.
Q: Is polished concrete slippery?
A: Like most smooth hard floors, it can be slippery when wet. A matt or satin finish offers more grip than high gloss, and we can talk through options for your space.
Q: Can you polish my existing slab?
A: Often, yes. Tiles, timber or carpet need to be lifted and the glue removed first. Old slabs can show patches and cracks – we'll tell you honestly what to expect.
Q: What's the difference between polished and grind and seal?
A: Polished gets its shine from the concrete itself. Grind and seal gets its shine from a sealer. Grind and seal is usually quicker and more budget-friendly; polished doesn't have a coating to wear through.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: As a guide, mechanically polished concrete starts from $85/m², up to around $130/m² depending on the finish you choose. The final price depends on the condition and size of your slab – your free quote will give you the exact price.
Thinking about a polished concrete floor? Book a free quote online or call Brendan on 0403 093 740 – we're always happy to chat.
Questions and Answers
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Read MoreConcrete grinding on the Gold Coast is how a grind and seal floor starts. It gives you the polished concrete look without the full mechanical polishing process. We grind the slab to show as much stone as you like, fill the pinholes, then apply a quality sealer in the sheen you choose. It's a popular, cost-effective option for homes, garages and commercial fit-outs, and it can often be finished in just a few days.
Grind and seal is a two-part process. First, we grind the concrete with diamond tooling to open up the surface and expose the aggregate to your chosen level. Then we seal it. Mechanical polishing gets its shine from grinding and polishing through many grits; grind and seal gets its shine from the sealer. With fewer grinding stages, it takes less time and usually costs less.
Grind and seal is a great fit for living areas and renovations where you want the polished concrete look on a tighter budget, garages (including display home garages), and shops, barbers, salons and cafés. With the right UV-stable sealer and a non-slip additive, it also works in alfresco and outdoor areas. It's a good way to bring an old slab and a new extension together into one floor, too.
Exposure: no exposure (cement look), partial exposure ("salt and pepper") or full stone exposure.
Sealer: we commonly use a water-based polyurethane. Solvent-based sealers are also an option, depending on the job.
Sheen: gloss, satin or matt. For wet areas, outdoor areas or high traffic, a non-slip additive can be mixed into the sealer.
Sweep or dust mop regularly so grit doesn't scratch the sealer, and mop with a pH-neutral cleaner – no harsh chemicals. Use felt pads under furniture and mats at entries. Over time, high-traffic areas may need a fresh topcoat. That's one of the advantages – the floor can be recoated without starting again.
Q: Is grind and seal the same as polished concrete?
A: It looks similar, but the shine comes from a sealer rather than from polishing the concrete itself. See our Mechanically Polished Concrete page for a comparison.
Q: Can grind and seal go outside?
A: Yes, with the right sealer. UV-stable sealers and non-slip additives make it suitable for many outdoor areas. For pool surrounds, we'll often suggest a honed finish instead.
Q: Will the old and new concrete match?
A: Every slab is different, and new and old concrete can look different. A grind and seal can bring them together, but some colour difference is normal. We'll talk it through before we start.
Q: How long does it take?
A: A standard double garage typically takes 2–3 days. For larger areas, we'll give you a timeframe with your free quote.
Q: How much does grind and seal cost?
A: As a guide, grind and seal starts from $70/m². The final price depends on the condition and size of your slab and the finish you choose – your free quote will give you the exact price.
Want the polished look for less? Book a free quote for a grind and seal floor, or call Brendan on 0403 093 740.
Honed concrete on the Gold Coast is a smooth matt finish for pool surrounds, patios, paths and stairs. We grind the concrete back to reveal the stone, stop at a smooth matt finish and seal it. It's ideal for outdoor living across the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Northern NSW – around the pool, on the patio, down the path and up the stairs.
Honed concrete is ground and smoothed, but not polished to a gloss. It has a satin to matt look and reflects much less light than polished concrete. It also tends to look a little lighter in colour. Because the surface isn't glassy, it's a better choice for outdoor and wet areas.
Exposed aggregate, the way we do it, means grinding the top of the slab off to show the stones inside the concrete. You can choose a light exposure or go all the way to full stone exposure.
Honing works well on pool surrounds, patios, alfresco areas and courtyards, paths and steppers, and stairs and steps. We also hone hob walls, block walls, brick walls and BBQ benches. It's a great way to refresh an old patio – grinding can bring tired concrete back to life.
"Brenden did a brilliant job of exposing our old concrete patio floor. He was excellent at communication and worked very hard to get the job done in a very short time span. We are really pleased with the how well the floor came up..." – Anna Bolton
Exposure: light, partial or full stone exposure.
Honing level: we stop at a coarser grit for a natural finish with more grip than a gloss.
Sealer: a natural-look penetrating sealer that soaks in and keeps the raw look, or a topical sealer (such as water-based polyurethane) with a satin or matt finish.
Non-slip: a non-slip additive can be added to topical sealers for pool areas and steps.
Slip resistance matters around pools and stairs, so we'll recommend a finish that suits the area.
Outdoor work depends on the weather – we'll plan around rain so the sealer goes down properly.
Hose down or sweep regularly – leaves and pool chemicals can stain if left sitting. Use a pH-neutral cleaner and avoid acid washing. Sealers wear faster outdoors because of sun and foot traffic, so plan to reseal from time to time. We're happy to advise when it's due.
Q: Is honed concrete safe around a pool?
A: Honed concrete is matt, so it's less slippery than polished concrete. With the right sealer and a non-slip additive, it's a popular choice for pool surrounds.
Q: Can you hone my existing patio?
A: Usually, yes. Most existing slabs can be honed, but patches, old coatings and past repairs can show through. We'll tell you honestly what to expect after inspecting it.
Q: What's the difference between honed and polished?
A: Polished is glossy and shows off the colour and detail of the stone. Honed is matt and smooth, and hides small scratches better. That makes honed better suited to high-traffic and outdoor areas.
Q: Can you do stairs and walls?
A: Yes – we've honed stairs, hob walls, block walls and brick walls.
Q: How much does hone and seal cost?
A: As a guide, hone and seal starts from $70/m². The final price depends on the condition and size of the area (stairs and edges take more time). Your free quote will give you the exact price.
Ready to refresh your pool area, patio or path? Book a free quote online or call Brendan on 0403 093 740.
A garage floor cops it all: oil, grease, water, tyres and tools. An epoxy flake floor gives you a tough, seamless, easy-clean surface with a speckled finish that hides dust and marks and looks great. At Grind It, we grind the concrete properly first, because an epoxy floor is only as good as the preparation underneath.
An epoxy flake floor is a coating system bonded to your concrete. A coloured epoxy base coat goes down first. Decorative flakes are then broadcast into it, and a clear topcoat locks it all in. The result is a seamless floor that resists stains and chemicals and wipes clean. We use a water-based epoxy flake system with a range of colour blends to choose from.
Epoxy flake is ideal for single and double garages, home workshops, sheds and man caves. It also works in laundries and other indoor areas – we've laid epoxy flake inside homes too – and in commercial spaces such as showrooms and workshops.
It resists oil, grease and many chemicals, and helps reduce concrete staining and tyre marks. It's seamless and easy to sweep and mop. The flake hides dust and small imperfections, and there are plenty of colour options to suit your home.
A standard double garage typically takes 2–3 days.
Not sure which way to go? Epoxy flake is a coating with colour and pattern. Polished concrete and grind and seal show off the natural concrete and stone. Both work well in a garage – we're happy to explain the pros and cons for your slab and budget. Read our blog: What's the Best Coating for a Garage Floor?
Sweep regularly and mop with warm water and a mild, pH-neutral cleaner. Clean up oil, fuel and chemical spills promptly. Use a mat or a sheet of plywood under jack stands and heavy, sharp items.
Q: Can you put epoxy over my old garage floor?
A: In most cases, yes. Old paint or coatings need to be ground off first. We'll look at the condition of your slab when we quote and let you know about anything that could affect the result.
Q: How long does it take?
A: A standard double garage typically takes 2–3 days.
Q: How much does an epoxy flake garage floor cost?
A: It depends on the size of the area, the condition of the slab and your chosen finish. Book a free quote and we'll give you an exact price.
Ready for a garage floor you'll be proud of? Book a free quote online or call Brendan on 0403 093 740.
Grind It is based on the northern Gold Coast, and our service area doesn't stop at the border. We provide concrete grinding, polishing, honing and epoxy flooring for homes and businesses across Northern NSW – from Tweed Heads down the coast to Byron Bay and inland to Murwillumbah.
Tweed Heads, Banora Point, Kingscliff, Cabarita Beach, Pottsville, Murwillumbah, Ocean Shores, Brunswick Heads and Byron Bay – and the areas in between.
Not sure if we come to you? Give us a call – we offer free quotes from Northern NSW to north Brisbane and everywhere in between.
Mechanically polished concrete – the concrete itself is polished to matt, satin or high gloss, for new builds and renovations.
Grind and seal – choose your stone exposure, finished with a gloss, satin or matt sealer.
Honed concrete and exposed aggregate – natural, non-glossy finishes for pool surrounds, patios, paths and stairs.
Epoxy flake – tough, seamless garage floors.
Trip hazard grinding – lifted concrete edges ground back flush.
We also do burnished concrete, floor preparation, and wall, block and brick honing.
Life from Tweed Heads down to Byron Bay is lived indoors and out. Sand gets tracked in, the sun is strong and outdoor areas get wet. That affects which finish we recommend.
Outdoors and around pools – honed finishes with a suitable sealer, and non-slip added where needed, give you a natural stone look with better grip than a gloss.
Indoors – polished concrete or grind and seal give a hard-wearing floor that's easy to sweep sand off and suits a relaxed coastal look.
Garages – epoxy flake or a sealed concrete finish handles cars, bikes, boards and gear.
We'll recommend the right sealer for each area, such as UV-stable options for spots in full sun.
We're a family owned and operated business based just over the border on the northern Gold Coast. We take on residential and commercial work, with attention to detail and customer-first service – every project is treated like it's our own. And we're happy to take on the small jobs other contractors won't quote.
Q: How far south do you travel?
A: We service Northern NSW from Tweed Heads down to Byron Bay, including Ocean Shores and Brunswick Heads.
Q: Can you do small jobs in NSW?
A: Got a small job no one wants to quote? Ask us – we'll let you know straight away if we can help.
Q: How soon can you start?
A: It depends on our booking schedule and, for outdoor work, the weather. Call us for current availability.
Northern NSW concrete floor project? Book a free quote online, call Brendan on 0403 093 740 or email brendan@grinditfloors.com.au.
Tree roots, settling slabs and old joins can leave raised lips in concrete that catch toes, trolleys and wheelchairs. Instead of cutting out and replacing the concrete, we can often grind the raised edge down to create a smooth, gradual transition – usually a quicker and simpler fix than replacing the slab.
Footpaths, driveways and garden paths at homes. Strata and body corporate common areas. Shops, warehouses, car parks and commercial walkways. Lifted joins in indoor slabs before new flooring goes down.
Q: Will it look patchy?
A: Ground concrete looks different from the weathered concrete around it. It softens over time, and we can seal it if you want a more even look.
Q: Is it a permanent fix?
A: Grinding removes the lip, but if a tree root keeps pushing the slab up, it can lift again. We'll let you know if we think that's likely.
Q: Do you do just one or two spots?
A: Yes. Got a small job no one wants to quote? We'll get it done – fast and professionally.
Got a trip hazard that needs fixing? Book a free quote online or call Brendan on 0403 093 740.