Polished concrete aggregate exposure

A cream finish preserves the top surface of the concrete, with very little material removed and minimal fine aggregate exposed. Cement paste remains the dominant feature, retaining more of the tonal variation created during placing and finishing.

Because the cut is shallow, cream polishing does little to remove existing blemishes or surface imperfections. The condition and flatness of the slab are important when deciding whether this finish suits the project.

For new construction, the intended cream finish should be discussed before placement so the concrete mix, placing and finishing can be coordinated. On an existing slab, we assess whether the surface is suitable before recommending it.

A salt-and-pepper finish removes surface paste to reveal the sand-sized fine aggregate beneath it. The result is a finer pattern than coarse aggregate exposure, with relatively little larger stone visible.

The depth needed to achieve that appearance depends on the concrete. Craftsman establishes the grinding depth through the sample rather than assigning one grinding depth to every slab.

Surface condition and aggregate distribution influence the result. The sample shows both the fine aggregate pattern and the variation that will remain visible.

A coarse aggregate finish uses a deeper grind to reveal larger stone within the slab. The aggregate becomes a prominent part of the floor’s pattern and color, creating an appearance that can resemble terrazzo.

The available stone is already part of the concrete. Its size, color, depth and distribution influence what grinding reveals.

For new construction, discuss the desired exposure before the concrete is placed. For an existing floor, we work with the aggregate already present. In either case, the sample establishes the proposed exposure before polishing the rest of the floor.

Grinding establishes which aggregate is exposed. Polishing establishes the reflected appearance.

A coarse aggregate finish does not automatically mean high gloss, and a cream finish does not specify how reflective the floor will be. Specify both the aggregate exposure and sheen.

For broader finish choices, see our styles of polished concrete guide. Our gloss, image clarity and haze guide explains the appearance measurements.

Concrete mix, aggregate distribution, placement, finishing and floor flatness all influence the exposure achieved during grinding. A photograph from another project can communicate a preference, but it cannot show exactly how different concrete will look.

Craftsman reviews the on-site sample with the project team to establish:

• The balance of cement fines, sand and larger aggregate.
• The size, color and distribution of the exposed stone.
• The variation visible in the concrete.
• The selected polish alongside the exposure.

Once approved, the sample guides installation and review of the finished work. We assess the overall exposure rather than judging the floor from a single stone or isolated patch.

Record the selected class, reference document and approved sample in the project requirements. Our polished concrete quality guide explains how that visual reference fits with the project’s other checks.