Concrete Exposure Levels
Millimetres matter
At Spec Floors, we don’t just polish concrete — we shape outcomes. Understanding exposure levels is where design meets craft, and just a few millimetres of grinding can completely change the look of your floor. We’ll work closely with you and your builder to target your preferred exposure level.
The 3 Main Exposure Levels
1) Zero Exposure (Cream/Burnished) — no stone revealed
- Look: Smooth, minimal, creamy cement paste with subtle movement.
- How it’s achieved: Surface polish only, no cutting tools or grinding.
- What to expect: Because we don’t grind, we cannot correct dips, trowel marks, air holes or stains. What the concreter leaves is what we polish.
- Our guidance: Best for specially poured slabs finished very flat with excellent trowel work. On older slabs, a uniform zero exposure outcome is unlikely across an entire area.
2) Partial Exposure (Salt & Pepper) — light, scattered stone
- Look: Subtle aggregate speckle with natural variation.
- How it’s achieved: A very light grind, often 1-3mm. High spots reveal stone; low spots retain cream.
- Our guidance: We’ll review slab flatness and set realistic expectations. Light variation is part of the charm; on uneven slabs it can become patchy.
3) Full Exposure — bold, stone-rich architectural character
- Look: Consistent, even stone revealed, for a clean and deliberate look.
- How it’s achieved: Controlled, even grinding passes, typically 4-5mm on new pours.
- Our guidance: Requires good vibrating and concrete finishing to optimise results. On older slabs, we generally recommend full exposure for the most consistent quality.
Why Millimetres Matter
Grinding happens in millimetres, and slabs aren’t perfectly flat. Removing an extra 1-2mm can move you from cream to salt and pepper, or salt and pepper to full exposure.
That’s why Spec Floors:
- Reviews your slab and listens to your design goals
- Explains the trade offs for each exposure level
- Grinds precisely to land as close as possible to your preferred look
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2
3
1
Zero exposure zone
2
Partial exposure zone
3
Full exposure zone
This cross section shows how a well poured slab typically looks. The cream sits on top, the sands and fine aggregate below, and the larger aggregate settles further down. This all happens in just 5mm of concrete.
Before You Build or Renovate
Building new? Talk to us before the pour
If you want a particular exposure, involve us early. We’ll provide slab guidelines and work with your builder and concreter so the slab is placed and finished to support the finish you want.
- Zero Exposure targets: very flat slab, excellent helicopter trowel finish, minimal defects. Remember, no grinding means no correction.
- Partial/Full exposure targets: ensure aggregate cover and distribution suit the intended grind depth. Prioritise flatness for even results.
Renovating or polishing an existing slab?
Older slabs have a history — which means they come with character, colour variations and unique features. No two are exactly alike. We don’t guess or promise the impossible. We’ll get on site, inspect your floor and give you a straight assessment of what can realistically be achieved. From there we’ll figure out the best path forward together.
After Exposure: Pick Your System & Sheen
Once exposure is set, we’ll help you choose the right system:
- Mechanical Polished Concrete: densifies and polishes the concrete itself with no topical film. Low maintenance, premium durability.
- Grind & Seal: ground to exposure, then sealed with a clear coating system. Budget friendly and a great option for concrete not suitable for MPC.
Get Inspired
Need some inspiration?
Browse our gallery to see some of our spectacular polished concrete finishes showcasing the exposure levels our clients across Albury Wodonga have chosen.
View or visit our Projects
Spec Floors have lived and worked in the Albury Wodonga region for decades. We also have a list of floors you can visit to view our work firsthand.