Comparison · Floors & coatings
Polished, honed or grind and seal concrete?
By Nathan Carter, owner, Gold Coast Concrete Services. Reviewed October 2026.
Quick answer
All three are ground concrete finishes. Polished concrete is ground with progressively finer diamonds and densified until the concrete itself shines. Honed concrete is ground to a smooth matte finish and sealed, and is often used outdoors. Grind and seal is ground once and coated with a topical sealer for its sheen, so it costs less but needs resealing.
| Polished | Honed | Grind and seal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheen comes from | The concrete | Sealer (matte) | Sealer (matte to gloss) |
| Typical use | Indoor living areas | Alfresco, pools, indoors | Garages, indoor floors |
| Outdoor suitability | Not recommended | Good with anti-slip sealer | Possible with UV-stable sealer |
| Maintenance | Low — occasional re-burnish | Reseal periodically | Reseal more often |
| Stone exposure | Cream to full | Light to full | Light |
How polished concrete is made
The floor is ground with a series of diamond tools, starting coarse and moving to very fine. A densifier is applied part-way to harden the surface. The final passes polish the concrete itself until it reflects light, often finished with a guard or penetrating sealer.
Because the shine is in the concrete, not a coating, polished floors are hard-wearing and low maintenance indoors.
How honed concrete is made
Honed concrete is ground to expose the stone and smoothed, but not polished to a shine. It is then sealed with a penetrating or topical sealer. Outdoors, an anti-slip additive is used so it grips when wet.
How grind and seal works
Grind and seal uses fewer grinding steps, then a topical sealer such as a urethane gives the sheen. It looks similar to polished concrete on day one, but the sealer layer wears and needs recoating over time, particularly in high-traffic areas.
How much stone you see
Grinding depth decides how much aggregate shows, from a ‘cream’ finish with little stone, to salt-and-pepper with fine stone, to full exposure with large stones. On new slabs we can plan the mix and stone; on old slabs the stone is whatever is already there.
New slabs versus existing floors
New slabs give the most control, because the slab can be poured and finished with grinding in mind. Existing floors can often be ground too, but may show patches, glue marks, cracks and uneven stone. Many people love that character. We assess the floor first and explain how it will look.
Which should you choose?
Choose polished for indoor floors where you want lasting shine and low upkeep. Choose honed for outdoor areas or a softer matte look. Choose grind and seal for garages and budget-conscious indoor floors.
Common questions
Can an old slab be polished?
Often, yes. Older slabs may show patches, cracks and uneven stone, which many people like. We assess the floor first and explain how it will look.
Is polished concrete slippery?
Indoors when dry, polished concrete has good grip. It can be slippery when wet, which is why honed concrete with an anti-slip sealer is preferred outdoors.
Does polished concrete stain?
Densifiers and guards help, but acidic spills like wine and citrus can etch the surface if left. Wipe spills quickly.
Can polished concrete go in a bathroom?
It can, with a suitable sealer and slip rating for wet areas. Honed finishes are often the better choice in wet zones.
