Polished concrete is often compared as an alternative to Granite and Corian. These materials may be a similar cost but they are each processed in an entirely different way and so they each offer different qualities. We are polished concrete fanatics but is it the right choice for you?
FAQ's
What is polished concrete?
Our polished concrete is not just sand and cement thrown together, it is a highly engineered composite material. The mix is carefully calculated and measured down to the gram in order to make the best performing polished concrete possible. We use the very best materials, supplied by the UK's number one supplier Polcrete. One of the key ingredients in our engineered polished concrete are glass fibres which add exceptional flexural and tensile strength with no added weight. Unlike Granite and Corian, Polished concrete can be moulded to any shape. Unlike cut stone we can cast our polished concrete in any shape or form, we can even cast three dimensionally. Your polished concrete product can be personalized with unique inlayed items such as metal, pebbles or recycled glass and it doesn’t just come in grey! The colour choices are endless.
Why is Polished Concrete similar in cost to Granite and Corian?
The price of polished concrete includes materials, mould fabrication, casting, polishing, finishing and sealing. Unlike other options, the cost of polished concrete is not just in the material it is in the artisan's skill and creativity. We are not a factory, each piece is handmade with specialist tools meaning each piece is one of a kind. Custom elements such as inlays, aggregates, or special finishes or mould designs add to our standard cost.
What affects the appearance of Polished Concrete?
Polished concrete is handmade from start to finish, from mould making and casting to the polishing and sealing. Each polished concrete artisan has their own style during each of these phases. The characteristics of the finished polished concrete product will depend on your chosen artisan’s individual style. You are commissioning a piece of art, it is key to do a little research and pick your polished concrete designer carefully so that you love the end product. Polished Concrete does not look like Corian or Granite. Corian is mass produced and factory manufactured, it is flat and constant in appearance. Granite is a crystalline igneous rock which is quarried, cut to size and polished, its features depend on the location it has derived from. Like we said before Polished Concrete is handmade, so depending on the artisan’s unique style it can have different characteristics to its appearance. After installation concrete continues to cure, over time patinas develop, this adds to the character of the product.
Our polished concrete is not just sand and cement thrown together, it is a highly engineered composite material. The mix is carefully calculated and measured down to the gram in order to make the best performing polished concrete possible. We use the very best materials, supplied by the UK's number one supplier Polcrete. One of the key ingredients in our engineered polished concrete are glass fibres which add exceptional flexural and tensile strength with no added weight. Unlike Granite and Corian, Polished concrete can be moulded to any shape. Unlike cut stone we can cast our polished concrete in any shape or form, we can even cast three dimensionally. Your polished concrete product can be personalized with unique inlayed items such as metal, pebbles or recycled glass and it doesn’t just come in grey! The colour choices are endless.
Why is Polished Concrete similar in cost to Granite and Corian?
The price of polished concrete includes materials, mould fabrication, casting, polishing, finishing and sealing. Unlike other options, the cost of polished concrete is not just in the material it is in the artisan's skill and creativity. We are not a factory, each piece is handmade with specialist tools meaning each piece is one of a kind. Custom elements such as inlays, aggregates, or special finishes or mould designs add to our standard cost.
What affects the appearance of Polished Concrete?
Polished concrete is handmade from start to finish, from mould making and casting to the polishing and sealing. Each polished concrete artisan has their own style during each of these phases. The characteristics of the finished polished concrete product will depend on your chosen artisan’s individual style. You are commissioning a piece of art, it is key to do a little research and pick your polished concrete designer carefully so that you love the end product. Polished Concrete does not look like Corian or Granite. Corian is mass produced and factory manufactured, it is flat and constant in appearance. Granite is a crystalline igneous rock which is quarried, cut to size and polished, its features depend on the location it has derived from. Like we said before Polished Concrete is handmade, so depending on the artisan’s unique style it can have different characteristics to its appearance. After installation concrete continues to cure, over time patinas develop, this adds to the character of the product.
Comparing the resilience of Polished Concrete, Granite and Corian:
Stain Resistant?
CONCRETE TUESDAY'S POLISHED CONCRETE: YES
Concrete is a porous material and needs sealing to be stain resistant. We seal our polished concrete with the world’s number one polished concrete sealer from Australia. We apply the two part polyurethane sealer which is food safe, stain resistant to most household and culinary items. No regular waxing or re-sealing is required.
GRANITE: YES
Granite is a porous material and needs sealing to be stain resistant. The sealer sometimes needs to be reapplied yearly, it will stain if you’re not diligent about wiping after use.
CORIAN: YES
Corian does not need sealing so needs no maintenance like Granite. It is stain resistant, but it is slightly porous and so it is not stain proof.
Heat resistant?
CONCRETE TUESDAY'S POLISHED CONCRETE: YES
Concrete is heat resistant when left unsealed but some sealers used to finish the product are not heat resistant. We seal our polished concrete with the world’s number one polished concrete sealer from Australia, the two part polyurethane sealer is heat resistant to 149 Degrees Celsius. Though we would always recommend using a heat mat for your hot pans.
GRANITE: YES
Granite can handle extremely high temperatures depending on the sealer used. Again we would always recommend using a heat mat for your hot pans.
CORIAN: NO
Corian Can’t withstand high temperatures.
Scratch Resistant?
CONCRETE TUESDAY'S POLISHED CONCRETE: YES
Our GFRC polished concrete is scratch resistant. The materials we use make it incredibly strong and dense. We use the world’s number one polished concrete sealer from Australia, the two part polyurethane sealer is scratch resistant.
GRANITE: YES
Granite too is hard to scratch.
CORIAN: NO
Corian is not scratch resistant.
Cleaning
POLISHED CONCRETE:
We recommend to keep your polished concrete product clean using warm water and a mild detergent, wipe spills as they occur and avoid leaving acidic substances such as vinegar, citrus juice, mustard, tomatoes, onion and onion skins in contact with the concrete. Use a chopping board to minimise mess. High or low Ph cleansers should not be used, anything with bleach or vinegar or ammonia based cleansers will alter the appearance of the polished surface.
GRANITE:
Granite needs cleaning with warm soapy water daily. As with polished concrete high or low Ph cleansers should never be used on granite. Anything bleach, vinegar, or ammonia based is out of the question. Over time they can react with the minerals present in the stone and cause the surface to look dull and etched.
CORIAN:
Corian is designed to be low maintenance to clean. It’s safe to use ammonia, bleach, or alcohol to disinfect them. Although any sort of abrasive cleanser should not be used because it will quickly scratch the surface.
Stain Resistant?
CONCRETE TUESDAY'S POLISHED CONCRETE: YES
Concrete is a porous material and needs sealing to be stain resistant. We seal our polished concrete with the world’s number one polished concrete sealer from Australia. We apply the two part polyurethane sealer which is food safe, stain resistant to most household and culinary items. No regular waxing or re-sealing is required.
GRANITE: YES
Granite is a porous material and needs sealing to be stain resistant. The sealer sometimes needs to be reapplied yearly, it will stain if you’re not diligent about wiping after use.
CORIAN: YES
Corian does not need sealing so needs no maintenance like Granite. It is stain resistant, but it is slightly porous and so it is not stain proof.
Heat resistant?
CONCRETE TUESDAY'S POLISHED CONCRETE: YES
Concrete is heat resistant when left unsealed but some sealers used to finish the product are not heat resistant. We seal our polished concrete with the world’s number one polished concrete sealer from Australia, the two part polyurethane sealer is heat resistant to 149 Degrees Celsius. Though we would always recommend using a heat mat for your hot pans.
GRANITE: YES
Granite can handle extremely high temperatures depending on the sealer used. Again we would always recommend using a heat mat for your hot pans.
CORIAN: NO
Corian Can’t withstand high temperatures.
Scratch Resistant?
CONCRETE TUESDAY'S POLISHED CONCRETE: YES
Our GFRC polished concrete is scratch resistant. The materials we use make it incredibly strong and dense. We use the world’s number one polished concrete sealer from Australia, the two part polyurethane sealer is scratch resistant.
GRANITE: YES
Granite too is hard to scratch.
CORIAN: NO
Corian is not scratch resistant.
Cleaning
POLISHED CONCRETE:
We recommend to keep your polished concrete product clean using warm water and a mild detergent, wipe spills as they occur and avoid leaving acidic substances such as vinegar, citrus juice, mustard, tomatoes, onion and onion skins in contact with the concrete. Use a chopping board to minimise mess. High or low Ph cleansers should not be used, anything with bleach or vinegar or ammonia based cleansers will alter the appearance of the polished surface.
GRANITE:
Granite needs cleaning with warm soapy water daily. As with polished concrete high or low Ph cleansers should never be used on granite. Anything bleach, vinegar, or ammonia based is out of the question. Over time they can react with the minerals present in the stone and cause the surface to look dull and etched.
CORIAN:
Corian is designed to be low maintenance to clean. It’s safe to use ammonia, bleach, or alcohol to disinfect them. Although any sort of abrasive cleanser should not be used because it will quickly scratch the surface.
Still have some questions?
Please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.
Please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.