Hi, I'm building a home with polished concrete throughout. I've noticed this post is a month old, so have you decided yet? I didnt' go with the usual aggregate as I felt it was too "busy". The concrete had charcoal dye added to the mix. I've seen pictures of it done with light colours as well and it looks good.

hi yes batches are different from batch to batch, but the finishers, toner, and self levellers, grout, are all different and have differing impact of the finish. Two of my Grandsons work in the concrete polishing industry (have for years)and come across this problem every other day. They are so very used to fixing up concrete pourers blues. I do know of some extreme difficulties (some over forty years old under carpet that have had the same problem) that have given my boys a hard time. However, at the end of it, using the right gear, you can literally see your face in the reflection plus the reflected image via the window.

R u laying boards over the concrete or beside?

Before applying anything, industrial vacuum clean the floor, and wash with a mop and bucket. This is to remove all the concrete dust that would of accumulated. Then apply your chosen finish as per the product instructions. Why would you have skirting boards installed prior to doing anything with the floor? If your walls are plastered brick, you don’t need skirting boards. If your walls are timber studs covered in gyprock, then wait until your floors are dealt with before installing skirting boards. It will make any floor finish easier to apply. If you decide you want to put tiles, floorboards or carpet down, then the skirting boards will have to be removed anyway. If skirting boards are included in your build, then ask the builder to provide, but not install.