Honed concrete floor, various grit finishes (100mm slab with 1-2mm honed surface)
Cast Concrete
ATLAS CODE
MIN-CEM-CC-007
Category mineral
Material Family Cementitious
Regulatory Status Non-combustible
Density
2500 kg/m3
Carbon (A1-A5)
320 kgCO₂e
Fire Class
Non-combustible
Lifespan
50 yrs
Description
Honed concrete is a coarse-ground finish that provides a matte surface and improved slip resistance, often used externally to maintain continuity with polished internal floors.
Primary Sectors
[Residential][Commercial][Industrial][Healthcare][Hospitality]
Typical Uses
- Residential flooring (living areas, kitchens, bathrooms)
- Commercial spaces (retail, offices, showrooms)
- Industrial facilities (warehouses, factories)
- Outdoor areas (patios, driveways, pool surrounds)
- Passive solar design elements
- Thermal mass applications in climate zones 4-8
- Public buildings (schools, libraries, healthcare)
- Hospitality venues (restaurants, hotels)
Recycled Content 15
Renewable Content 0
Recyclability 100
Embodied Carbon 320 kgCO₂e
Embodied Energy 2.2 MJ/kg
EPD Available Yes
Advantages
Exceptional durability (50+ years lifespan with proper maintenance)High thermal mass for passive heating/coolingLow maintenance requirementsSlip-resistant surface (especially at lower grit levels)Customisable appearance through grit selectionNo VOC emissions from finished surfaceFire resistant (non-combustible)Termite and pest resistantSuitable for all Australian climate zonesCan be repolished to restore appearanceCompatible with hydronic heating systemsCost-effective over lifecycle
Cautions
High initial installation cost ($50-100/m²)Cold underfoot without heating in cool climatesHard surface (uncomfortable for prolonged standing)Can crack if substrate moves or settlesRequires professional installationLimited acoustic absorption (NRC 0.03-0.05)High embodied carbon (240-385 kg CO₂e/m³)Cannot be easily modified after installationSusceptible to staining if not sealed properlyThermal mass can work against comfort if poorly designed
TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES MIN-CEM-CC-007
Density (Dry) 2500 kg/m3
Specific Gravity 2.4
Porosity 12 %
Water Absorption 5 %
Hardness 7
Surface Roughness 0.5 μm
UV Resistance Excellent
Chemical Resistance Good
pH Tolerance 3-11
Compressive Strength 20-50 MPa
Tensile Strength 2.2-4.1 MPa
Flexural Strength 4.5 MPa
Shear Strength 5.5 MPa
Elastic Modulus 30-37 GPa
Impact Resistance High J/m
Bearing Capacity 32000 kN/m²
Poisson's Ratio 0.2
Creep Resistance Moderate
Abrasion Resistance AR3
Thermal Conductivity 1.75 W/mK
Thermal Resistance 0.057 m²K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 880 J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 10 μm/m·K
Melting Point 1200 °C
Sound Transmission Class (STC) 48
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.04
Optical
Light Transmittance 0 %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 35 %
Solar Reflectance (SRI) 35
Polished concrete techniques date back to ancient Rome, with modern mechanised honing developed in the 1990s. Australian adoption accelerated in the 2000s driven by sustainability requirements and passive design principles. Current Australian standards (AS3600-2018) provide comprehensive structural requirements while Green Star and NABERS ratings recognise thermal mass benefits. The Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders Alliance (MECLA) now provides standardised low-carbon concrete guidelines, promoting reduced embodied carbon through supplementary cementitious materials.
SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION MIN-CEM-CC-007
Flame Spread Index 0
Smoke Developed Index 0
Combustibility Class Non-combustible
Fire Resistance Rating 120/120/120 hours
Heat Release Rate 0 kW/m²
Toxicity of Combustion None
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) 320 kgCO₂e/kg
Embodied Energy 2.2 MJ/kg
Water Footprint 180 L/kg
EPD Available Yes
LEED Points 3
Circular Economy Score 65 /100
VOC Emissions 0 g/L
Skill Level Professional
Crew Size 2
Installation Time 3 hr/m²
Curing Time 28 hours
Setting Time 24 min
Temperature Range 10-35 °C
Humidity Range 40-85 %
Required Tools
Planetary head grinder (min 680kg)Diamond grinding tools (30-800 grit)Industrial vacuum systemDensifier application equipmentSealer application toolsMoisture meterSurface hardness tester
Certifications Required
Concrete polishing certificationOH&S construction inductionSilica dust safety training
Weather Limitations
Avoid rain during sealingTemperature 10-35°C during applicationHumidity <85% for sealer application
COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY MIN-CEM-CC-007
Material Cost 50-100
Installation Cost 30-50
Annual Maintenance 2
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) 150
Market Availability Widely available
Lead Time 1-2 weeks weeks
Design Life 50 years
Warranty Period 10 years
Maintenance Interval 12 months
Service Temp Range -40 to 70 °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance Good
Dimensional Stability Excellent
Certifications Held
AS1379 Concrete supply specificationAS/NZS ISO 9001 Quality managementEPD Australasia registeredGreen Star compliantGECA certified products eligibleZero VOC emissionsGreenTag PHD eligibleWELL Building Standard compliant
Fire Code Compliance
AS1530.4 Fire resistance testsNCC Specification C1.1FRL requirements for Type A, B, C construction
Standards Compliance
NCC 2022 Volume One & TwoBCA Class 1-9 buildingsAS3600-2018 Concrete structuresASTM E90 (Sound transmission)ASTM C1437 (Flow properties)ASTM E413 (STC rating)ISO 9239-1 (Fire behaviour flooring)ISO 14040 series (LCA)ISO 834 (Fire resistance)EN 13501-1 (Fire classification)EN 12390 (Testing hardened concrete)
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.