Best suited to
Projects requiring a new cementitious wearing surface.
Core service / Overlay
Polished screed
flooring.
A purpose-designed cementitious topping for projects where the structural slab cannot deliver the required finished appearance.
The right system
A designed wearing layer where the base slab is not the finish.
Polished screed adds a cementitious topping over a prepared substrate and refines that layer after curing. It gives a project more control over the appearance than polishing an unsuitable structural slab.
The topping still relies on the substrate. Specify bond preparation, moisture, movement joints, depth, curing and protection before selecting colour or sheen. A site sample should include edges and interfaces.
Primary outcome
A refined overlay with more control over the final appearance.
Designed for
commercial and industrial projects.
Technical overview
What polished screed flooring means in practice.
Polished screed is a purpose-designed cementitious wearing layer installed over a prepared base and mechanically refined after curing. It separates the visual floor finish from the structural slab beneath.
Choose it when
a seamless cement-based appearance is required but the base slab cannot become the finished floor.
Check before specifying
substrate strength, moisture, movement joints, bond preparation, screed depth, curing and sample approval.
Finish expectations
Colour and movement are naturally varied. Approve a representative site sample that includes edges, joints and the proposed protection system.
Cleaning + maintenance
Entrance matting, neutral cleaners and soft mechanical pads help retain the finish. Protective treatment may need planned renewal in concentrated traffic zones.
Direct concrete polishing is usually more economical where the structural slab is suitable and visually acceptable.
Illustrative system image; agree the actual finish by sample.Specification framework
Decisions to fix before tender.
01Base
Check moisture, strength, cracks, movement joints, contamination and the preparation needed for the chosen system.
02Build-up
Confirm depth, thresholds, door clearances, bond method and compatibility with adjacent finishes.
03Appearance
Agree colour, texture, sheen, sample size and acceptable natural variation.
04Handover
Allow for curing, trade protection, cleaning guidance and any planned renewal of protective treatment.
Delivery method
Surveyed, sampled and delivered in-house.
Site survey + substrate review
Condition, flatness, contamination, repairs, access and programme constraints are recorded.
Finish specification + sample
Appearance, performance and realistic slab variation are agreed before full installation.
Controlled installation
Our specialist team manages preparation, finishing, protection and handover.
Specification questions
Questions to settle early.
Why use polished screed instead of polishing the slab?
A topping can be useful when the structural slab is too uneven, damaged or visually inconsistent for the intended finish, subject to substrate and build-up constraints.
Will an overlay remove movement joints?
No. Existing movement needs to be understood and joints generally need to remain effective through the new surface.
When can the floor be used?
Access and full loading depend on the chosen system, temperature and curing conditions. Confirm a project-specific programme before work starts.
Start a conversation
Discuss your polished screed flooring project.
Send the location, approximate area, construction stage, intended use and programme. Include plans or photographs if available; we can then discuss the most suitable next step.