A polished concrete overlay transforms your existing floor — no rip-out, no skip hire, no structural disruption. LFS Polished Concrete’s 5–8mm cementitious overlay system installs over tiles, screeds, and concrete slabs, then gets ground and polished to the same stunning finish as a full structural concrete floor. It’s how London’s period properties, warehouse conversions, and contemporary extensions get the polished concrete look without the demolition.
We’ve been installing polished concrete overlays across London and the Home Counties for over 15 years. Get a free site survey or call 020 3582 7011.
What Is a Polished Concrete Overlay?
A polished concrete overlay (also called a concrete overlay floor or polished overlay) is a thin self-levelling cementitious compound poured over your existing floor at 5–8mm depth. Once cured, it’s mechanically ground with diamond tooling through progressively finer grits — exactly as a full structural concrete slab would be — to produce a seamless, architectural polished concrete surface.
The result is visually indistinguishable from a full polished concrete floor, at a fraction of the cost and disruption. No concrete slab required. No floor removal. No skip.
Polished Overlay vs. Full Grind & Polish
| Polished Concrete Overlay | Full Slab Grind & Polish | |
|---|---|---|
| Existing floor | Any (tiles, screed, concrete) | Must be existing concrete slab |
| Rip-out required? | No | No (slab stays) |
| Floor height added | 5–8mm | 0mm (slab is ground down) |
| Finish quality | Identical to full polish | Natural aggregate character |
| Best for | Renovations, period homes, extensions | New builds, industrial units, garages |
| Cost | £65–£100/m² | £55–£90/m² |
How the Polished Overlay Process Works
- Free site survey — We assess your existing floor: substrate type, condition, any high spots, hollow tiles, moisture issues. If the substrate is sound, we confirm suitability and give you a written quote.
- Surface preparation — Any loose or hollow tiles are removed. High spots are ground flat. The surface is cleaned, degreased, and primed to ensure the overlay bonds permanently.
- Overlay application — Our self-levelling cementitious overlay compound is mixed to specification and poured at 5–8mm depth. A gauge rake and dapple roller ensure consistent thickness and eliminate air bubbles.
- Curing — The overlay cures for 24–48 hours. Environmental conditions (temperature, humidity) are managed to prevent premature drying or cracking during this phase.
- Coarse grinding (30–50 grit) — Diamond tooling cuts through the cured overlay, levels the surface, and reveals the aggregate character of the compound.
- Progressive polishing (100 → 400 → 800 grit) — Finer passes refine the surface progressively. A lithium silicate densifier is applied during this phase, chemically hardening the overlay from within.
- Final polish (1500–3000 grit) — Brings the floor to its target finish level: matte, satin, or high gloss.
- Sealing — A penetrating topical sealer is applied, protecting against staining and daily wear. The floor is ready for foot traffic within 24 hours of sealing.
Polished Concrete Overlay Finishes
We offer the full range of finish levels on our polished overlays — the same options as a full structural concrete floor:
- Matte / Flat (Level 1–2) — Refined, low-sheen finish. Practical, hides surface marks, works well in high-traffic areas. Popular for hallways, utility rooms, and open-plan family kitchens.
- Satin / Semi-Gloss (Level 3) — The most popular choice. A gentle, warm sheen that adds brightness without being reflective. Works in virtually every residential and commercial context.
- High Gloss (Level 4) — Deep mirror-like reflection. Dramatic and impactful. Best for showrooms, reception areas, and premium residential spaces where wow-factor is the goal.
We can also incorporate integral dyes and pigments into the overlay compound, giving you control over the base tone — from warm greys and ochres to charcoal, slate, and white.
Polished Concrete Overlay Cost
Polished concrete overlay prices in London typically range from £65 to £100 per square metre fully installed:
| Finish Level | Price per m² | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Matte overlay (Level 1–2) | £65–£75 | Hallways, utility rooms, open-plan kitchens |
| Satin overlay (Level 3) | £75–£90 | Living areas, extensions, commercial offices |
| High gloss overlay (Level 4) | £90–£100 | Showrooms, receptions, premium residential |
| Pigmented/dyed overlay | +£8–£15/m² | Colour-specified interior design projects |
| Overlay over existing tiles | Included | Renovation without floor removal |
| Free site survey | £0 | All London properties |
What affects the price? Floor size (larger areas are more cost-effective per m²), substrate condition (more prep work = higher cost), finish level chosen, and whether pigmentation or decorative elements are included. We always provide a fixed written quote after the free site survey — no surprises.
Where Polished Overlays Work Best
Period Properties & Victorian Terraces
London’s stock of Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses presents a specific challenge: original timber floorboards, limited floor-to-ceiling height, and no concrete slab. Our 5–8mm overlay installs directly over the prepared subfloor or existing tiles, adding minimal height while delivering a fully polished concrete finish. It’s the most practical way to achieve polished concrete in a period property without structural work.
Rear Extensions & Kitchen Renovations
The single most common use case for polished overlays in London. A rear kitchen extension typically has a new concrete slab that’s ideal for overlay application. We install the overlay before units, and the result is a seamless floor running from old to new — no visible join, perfect transition between the Victorian original and the modern extension.
Basement Conversions
London basement conversions almost always include a tanked concrete base — perfect for overlay application. We work alongside basement conversion specialists and can schedule our overlay installation to fit within the main build programme. The result: a beautiful polished concrete floor in your basement that requires no further finishing.
Commercial Fitouts & Office Refurbishments
Polished concrete overlays are extensively used in commercial refurbishments where the existing floor needs to be retained (to avoid costly demolition and disposal) but the finish needs to be completely transformed. Retail fitouts, restaurant renovations, co-working spaces, and office refurbishments across London regularly use our overlay system.
Warehouse & Industrial-to-Residential Conversions
East London’s warehouse conversion market is one of the busiest in Europe. Our polished overlay works beautifully over existing industrial concrete floors — preserving the raw character of the original slab while elevating it to a residential standard. The result is the authentic warehouse-loft aesthetic that architects and developers in Hackney, Bermondsey, and Bow pay a premium to achieve.
Polished Concrete Overlay vs. Microcement
Both polished overlays and microcement are renovation-friendly systems that go over existing floors — but they’re different products with different strengths:
| Polished Concrete Overlay | Microcement | |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 5–8mm | 2–3mm |
| Application | Self-levelling, machine-ground | Hand-trowelled |
| Finish | Ground & polished (authentic concrete look) | Trowelled smooth (smooth, consistent) |
| Aggregate visible? | Yes (natural concrete character) | No (pigmented, uniform) |
| Wet rooms? | Not ideal (requires careful sealing) | Yes (with correct sealer, ideal for bathrooms) |
| Durability | Very high (15–25 years) | High (10–15 years) |
| Cost | £65–£100/m² | £70–£90/m² |
Not sure which is right for your project? Contact us — we install both and will recommend the best system for your specific floor, substrate, and use case. We also have a detailed microcement floors London page.
London Areas We Cover
We install polished concrete overlays across all 32 London boroughs and surrounding M25 areas:
- Central London — Mayfair, Marylebone, Fitzrovia, Soho, Westminster
- North London — Islington, Highgate, Hampstead, Archway, Crouch End
- South London — Clapham, Brixton, Dulwich, Peckham, Greenwich
- East London — Hackney, Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, Bow, Bermondsey
- West London — Notting Hill, Chiswick, Ealing, Hammersmith, Fulham
- Kensington & Chelsea — Chelsea, South Kensington, Notting Hill Gate
- Clapham & Battersea — Clapham South, Battersea, Tooting, Streatham
- Surrey & Home Counties — Surrey, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a polished concrete overlay?
A polished concrete overlay is a thin cementitious layer (typically 5–8mm) applied directly over your existing floor — tiles, screed, concrete slab, or prepared timber — which is then ground and polished to create the signature polished concrete look. No rip-out of the existing floor is required.
How much does a polished concrete overlay cost in London?
Polished concrete overlays in London typically cost between £65 and £100 per square metre, depending on floor size, surface condition, and the finish level chosen. We provide free site surveys and fixed written quotes across London — call 020 3582 7011.
How thick is a polished concrete overlay?
LFS installs polished concrete overlays at 5–8mm thickness. This is thin enough to preserve floor-to-ceiling height in London’s Victorian and Edwardian period properties, while being thick enough to allow full diamond grinding and polishing to any finish level.
Can a polished concrete overlay go over existing tiles?
Yes — provided the existing tiles are firmly bonded and there is no flex or movement in the substrate, our overlay can be applied directly over them. Loose or hollow tiles must be removed and the surface levelled before overlay application. We assess this during the free site survey.
Is a polished concrete overlay suitable for underfloor heating?
Yes. Polished concrete overlays work very well over both wet (hydronic) and electric underfloor heating systems. The overlay’s thermal mass stores heat and releases it evenly, making your heating system more efficient and comfortable.
How long does a polished concrete overlay last?
A professionally installed polished concrete overlay, properly sealed and maintained, will typically last 15–25 years. With periodic resealing (every 5–10 years depending on wear and foot traffic), the surface can last considerably longer.
How long does overlay installation take?
Most residential overlay projects in London take 4–7 days from surface preparation through to final seal and cure. The overlay must cure for 24–48 hours before grinding begins. We’ll give you a precise timeline during your free site survey.
What is the difference between polished concrete overlay and microcement?
Both go over existing surfaces, but differ in process and result. A polished concrete overlay (5–8mm) is machine-ground with diamond tooling — creating authentic concrete with natural aggregate variation. Microcement (2–3mm) is hand-trowelled to a smooth, uniform finish — thinner, better in wet rooms. Overlays are more durable and characterful; microcement works better in bathrooms and tight-height situations. See our microcement page for more.
Get a Free Polished Concrete Overlay Quote
Ready to see what a polished concrete overlay could do for your London property? We offer free site surveys across all London boroughs and the M25.
- 📞 020 3582 7011
- ✉️ info@lfspolishedconcrete.co.uk
- 📍 Vantage Point, Archway, London N19 5FF
Also see: Polished concrete floors London | Polished concrete floor costs | Microcement floors London | Contact us
For detailed pricing on all systems, visit our polished concrete floor cost guide.