Honed Concrete : All in one Guide

What is Honed Concrete?

Honed Concrete is simply a type of smooth concrete which is gaining popularity in many modern homes, due to its contemporary and stylish look. Honed Concrete is also commonly referred to as ‘Grind and Seal Concrete’.

Why? Simply because of the method employed when installing this kind of concrete. Grinding down the concrete comes first, which seals any cracks that may be present, while also preparing it for the sealing that comes next, which provides the highly sought-after shine that is so desired.

This type of concrete possesses a mirror-like finish, and is highly customizable based on your needs and desires. Honed concrete can be commonly found in business establishments, for the  professional aesthetic as well as the ease of maintaining it, only needing the use of a mop and cleaning agent most of the time.

But what about the grind and seal concrete cost, right? While, yes, it can be on the more expensive side of the flooring aspect, it certainly won’t punch a hole in your wallet either. Grind and seal concrete cost can range from $30-80 per square meter on average, and from $80-150 per square meter for more luxurious and expensive variants. (*The prices shown here are only a guideline based on market prices.*)

Apart from grind and seal costs, here are some of the benefits of going for this flooring alternative:

• Slip resistant: even when wet,  honed concrete is rough enough to keep your grip.
• Colour and quality retention: maintenance for honed concrete is simple and you won’t have to worry about professional repairs
• Long-lasting: If taken care of properly, honed concrete can last for up to 50 years!
• Withstands extreme climate: In countries like Australia, weather can turn extreme at different points of the year, and honed concrete is designed to maintain its quality in all sorts of external conditions.

Honed Concrete Vs. Polished Concrete

We all know what is honed concrete at this point. A honed concrete floor is made by grinding the top of the concrete, to then add a topical coating on the surface that protects it against contaminants while giving off a matte, or a gloss finish.

So what is Polished Concrete, and how does it compare to Honed Concrete?

Mechanically Polished Concrete aka MPC, is often considered to be more premium than honed concrete. This is due to the fact that polished concrete goes through intensive mechanical treatment that turns the surface itself shiny, unlike in honed concrete, where a topical coating is what creates the glossy finish.

Just like honed concrete, polished concrete is highly customizable as well. Minimal aggregate exposure to full aggregate exposure can be achieved with polished concrete just the way it’s done with honed concrete aggregate. Choosing between a shiny finish and a matte finish is also doable.

So how do you choose between honed concrete and polished concrete?

We understand that you, like many potential customers, may have a tough time deciding between the two since they both have their pros and cons. But when it comes down to it, it all depends on your specific needs.

For example, honed concrete makes for an excellent outdoor flooring option due to its slip-resistance, durability and relative affordability. Polished concrete on the other hand, is great for indoor applications as it oozes sophistication and has an extra smooth finish. Also, polished concrete is the way to got for industrial areas.

So you can see the considerations you need to make. But whatever be your choice, we at BECOSAN have got you covered! BECOSAN is the first name that pops up when you think of concrete floor solutions on large areas, so whether you need honed concrete or polished concrete, we got you covered either way!

Honed Concrete Finish, and More!

Now we know all about the honed aggregate concrete finish, and even polished aggregate concrete finish! Below, are a few more options for concrete finishes:

• Exposed Aggregate Concrete: the aggregate is exposed through a multi-step process, which creates a beautiful exposed and porous result!
• Stamped Concrete: a variety of colours can be utilized into the stamped concrete, giving a serene look that can mimic brick, stone, wood, and other materials! (More info about stamped concrete check this post)
• Broom Finished Concrete: after exposing the aggregate of the concrete, the surface is closed and a specialty broom is pulled across the surface to install a rough texture that is visually appealing and possesses amazing traction.