Is polished concrete a good floor for an Ottawa warehouse?

Whether polished concrete suits an Ottawa warehouse depends on the slab you already have and how the space is used. Published 2025-2026 contractor ranges put it at about $3 to $15 per square foot, with most commercial jobs falling in the $5 to $12 per square foot range.

Polished concrete is not a coating: the existing slab is ground, densified and polished, so there is no coating film to cure or peel. That also means the finish depends on the slab: cracks, patches and old adhesive stay visible or need repair first, and heavy resurfacing of damaged concrete costs more than standard prep.

A few things will move your quote considerably. Surface prep, when it is not already included, runs about $1 to $3 per square foot extra, and you should confirm whether grinding, crack filling and joint treatment are in the base price or billed separately. The number of grinding and polishing passes, the grit level the contractor takes the floor to, and whether a densifier or guard coat is applied all affect both the final price and the surface performance. Slab condition, cracks, old adhesive and the level of aggregate exposure all show up in the price.

Ask how the chosen sheen performs wet in areas where water, condensation or spills are possible.

When you review quotes, ask each contractor to show you exactly which line items cover crack repair, joint filling and any densifier or guard coat, so you can compare like with like.