Honed Concrete in Hervey Bay

What honed concrete is

Honed concrete is ground back with diamond tooling after it has cured. The grinding takes off the top layer of cement paste and exposes the fine sand and small stones just below, which gives a flat, even face with a speckled look. It is then sealed.

Polished concrete is the same process taken further, through finer and finer grinding until the surface has a sheen. Polished floors suit indoors. Honed finishes, with more grip, are the common choice outdoors.

Where it suits

Honed concrete suits alfresco areas, covered patios and pool surrounds, and it is popular in newer homes where the floor carries through from inside to out. Because it is flat and smooth, it is easy to sweep and hose, which matters with sand coming in from the beach.

Grip outdoors

A honed finish can be anything from fairly grippy to quite slick, depending on how far it is ground and what sealer goes on top. For outdoor and pool areas, ask about slip resistance under AS 4586 before agreeing to a finish. A honed surface that suits a lounge room floor is not automatically right next to a pool.

Planning the slab for grinding

A slab that will be honed is best planned for it from the start. The concrete mix, the aggregate and how flat the slab is finished all affect how the honed face turns out. Grinding an existing old slab is possible too, but you get whatever stone is in it, cracks and all.

Sealing

Honed concrete is sealed to resist stains from food, drink and leaves, and near the coast, salt. Penetrating sealers keep a natural look; topical sealers give more protection and more sheen. Both need maintaining over time.

Getting it quoted

Tell us the area, inside or out, and whether the slab exists yet. Call 0489 955 511 or use the form, and a licensed local concreter will come back to you. Around water, see pool surrounds.