Burnished concrete — between trowel and polish.

How it's achieved

Burnished concrete is finished by repeated power-trowelling on the slab as it cures — typically four to six trowelling passes as the slab moves through its initial set. Each pass tightens the surface, closing the pores and creating a denser, smoother top layer.

It's not polishing — there's no grinding, no diamond pads, no exposure of aggregate. It's purely a finishing technique applied at the right moment in the cure cycle. Timing matters: too early and the finish won't hold, too late and the trowels skate over the set surface.

Where it works

• Interior residential floors — particularly in modern, minimalist homes where the slab is the floor.
• Outdoor entertaining areas, patios, alfresco floors.
• Pool surrounds — slip-rated for wet feet, low-maintenance, contemporary.
• Garages and workshops — durable, easy to keep clean, less rough than broom-finish.

Burnished vs polished

Burnished is a one-pour finish — applied during cure, no second visit. Polished is a separate process — diamond grinding on the cured slab. Burnished is cheaper, faster, and the finish is locked in on pour day. Polished gives a glossier result and exposes aggregate, but adds days to the program.

Standards we work to

• AS 3600 — Concrete
• AS/NZS 4586 — Slip resistance

From our sites

Common questions