{"id":3143,"date":"2026-01-11T13:27:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T13:27:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cavendishdevere.com\/blog\/?p=3143"},"modified":"2026-01-11T13:27:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T13:27:01","slug":"polished-concrete-flooring-project-in-crystal-palace-se19-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cavendishdevere.com\/blog\/polished-concrete-flooring-project-in-crystal-palace-se19-london\/","title":{"rendered":"Polished Concrete Flooring Project in Crystal Palace, SE19 \u2013 a brutalist revival!"},"content":{"rendered":"

This project took place in Crystal Palace, SE19<\/strong>, within a former local authority property that proudly retained its 1960s brutalist DNA<\/strong>. Concrete structure, uncompromising lines and a sense of honest materiality defined the space, and from the outset it was clear that any new flooring needed to respect \u2014 not erase \u2014 that character.<\/p>\n

The client had a very clear vision. She was in the process of curating a collection of original 1960s and 1970s furniture and furnishings<\/strong>, including antique pieces that deserved a floor with equal presence. Rather than hiding the building\u2019s industrial past, she wanted to celebrate it. The brief was simple but demanding: a raw, rustic, industrial polished concrete floor that felt completely at home in the era the building was born in<\/strong>. Now, this is still a little unusual because we have seen a big increase in sales of cork floors in this type of properties such as Granorte Traditional cork tiles<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Assessing the Existing Floor<\/h4>\n

As with many properties of this age, the existing floor was in a poor state<\/strong>. Layers of old flooring, adhesive residue and heavy bitumen contamination had built up over decades. Before any aesthetic work could begin, the surface needed to be taken right back to a clean, workable concrete substrate.<\/p>\n

We began by uplifting and removing the existing floor coverings<\/strong> using a heavy-duty bully stripper machine<\/strong>, an essential tool for breaking through stubborn, tar-based adhesives common in post-war construction. This process exposed significant areas of bitumen<\/strong>, which required further mechanical preparation.<\/p>\n

The floor was then scarified<\/strong> to fully remove remaining bitumen and contaminants, ensuring proper adhesion for subsequent layers. This stage is critical on older concrete slabs \u2014 skipping it would compromise both durability and finish.<\/p>\n

Preparation & Levelling<\/h4>\n

Once the substrate was properly prepared, we applied P131 primer<\/strong>, designed to stabilise the surface and promote strong bonding. This step helps prevent future issues such as delamination or pin-holing, particularly important when working over older concrete.<\/p>\n

We then mixed and applied a self-levelling floor screed<\/strong>, carefully pouring and spreading it across approximately 50 square metres<\/strong> of floor area. The screed created a smooth, unified base while still allowing us to maintain the natural movement and subtle imperfections needed for an industrial aesthetic.<\/p>\n

After curing, the floor was sanded and feather-finished<\/strong>, refining the surface without over-processing it. This balance was crucial: the client wanted a floor that felt authentic and lived-in<\/strong>, not overly polished or sterile.<\/p>\n

Finishing & Sealing<\/h4>\n

Following final sanding and a thorough clean, we sealed the floor using an ultra-tough clear polyurethane floor sealer<\/strong>. This product was chosen specifically for its performance characteristics and understated appearance.<\/p>\n

The sealer provides:<\/p>\n