What are the different “Levels” and “Classes” of polished concrete?
The final appearance of your floor is determined by two main factors: how deep we grind into the concrete (Class) and how high we polish the surface for shine (Level).
The Classes (Aggregate Exposure)
The “Class” refers to how much of the internal ingredients of the concrete—like sand and stone—are revealed during the grinding process.
-
Class A (Cream Finish): This is a very light “surface polish.” We only remove the top layer of cement paste, leaving a smooth, consistent, solid-colored look with no stones or sand showing.
-
Class B (Salt and Pepper): A shallow grind that removes about 1/16-inch of the surface. This exposes the fine sands and tiny pebbles, creating a speckled look reminiscent of salt and pepper.
-
Class C (Large Aggregate): A deeper grind (roughly 1/8 to 1/4-inch) that reveals the large structural stones within the concrete mix. This is a bold, decorative look often found in high-end commercial spaces.
-
Class D (Large Aggregate / Deep Grind): This is the deepest possible grind, intended to expose the maximum surface area of the largest stones. It is often used when the concrete was poured with specific decorative stones (like marble or granite chips) that the owner wants to showcase as the primary feature.
The Levels (Sheen & Reflectivity)
The “Level” refers to the grit of the diamond resins used to smooth the floor. The higher the level, the more “mirror-like” the reflection becomes.
-
Level 1 (Matte): A clean, velvety surface with no reflection. It looks soft and diffused, perfect for a rustic or industrial “raw” feel.
-
Level 2 (Satin): A low-luster finish. You will see a slight “halo” reflection of overhead lights, but objects won’t be clearly defined.
-
Level 3 (Semi-Gloss): High reflectivity. You can clearly see the shapes of objects and people in the floor’s reflection from a distance.
-
Level 4 (High Gloss): The “wet look.” This is a true mirror finish with total clarity and the highest possible light reflectivity.