"Cat", I have both finishes in my house. The older floor was waxed and they used acrylic finish on the new ones. I don't think it was Kemiko's though. I was told that one can put acrylic on top of wax but not the other way around. I was going to research it thoroughly to avoid doing something 'stupid'. I didn't like the wax finish for the same reason you don't like yours: everything leaves a 'scratch' mark on it. The waxed floor gets dull all the same - there is no way around it. Plus, I was told it had to be professionally waxed once a year and, though the fee wasn't bad, I resented not having a DIY option, especially that the fee keeps going up. With acrylic, you can (at least) do it yourself and it is easy (I was told) - just use a rayon mop. When it comes to concrete floors, I would not take your SW guy's word (not at all!) but consult as many concrete floor experts as I could find (in my experience, there will be quite some differences in opinions among them). This is what I was going to do in the nearest future (as soon as I finish the rest of remodel), so I'd be very interested in what people say to your question. Have you considered using area rugs? Also, check out the post called something like "Porcelain vs. Ceramic" (might have been on the Kitchen forum). Tom posted a link there to a website that might give you more info. I might be 'missing the point' and stained concrete floors may be a lot better than I think. And one more thing. Somebody has told me recently that one can get a bucket of wax at Sam's club for a good price and rent a buffing machine to wax it DIY. Good luck and let us know what you find.

With finished concrete it is always possible to run the finish wall to wall and then do what ever is necessary to finish the space afterwards. I worry that the skirting of the tub would be damaged in the finishing process. That's my worry. You can find out the foot print of the tub and mark it off for the concrete refinisher. S/he will then come in and do the work to grind, stain, finish the floor....but omitting the marked off foot print of the tub. This might save you a few dollars, it might not. The best person to get the answer would be the concrete flooring specialist you have hired to do the work. Show them photos of the tub and ask them this question. Once you have their answer, go ahead and speak to the people who will install the tub. Ask them their opinion as to THEIR preferences. I'm going to guess that everyone would feel more comfortable with the floor being finished BEFORE the tub is installed. But that is just an educated guess.

I am about 150 miles south and just pulled out all tile and carpet replacing with new tile throughout except 4 bedrooms. i entertained the idea of polished concrete... love the look. But decided on tile and glad I did. Once everything was pulled up, found surprises. Cracks, funky chipped away part in three spots, and at some point some portion had linoleum or something (black glue gunk all over). Plus, if house is built right you should have expansion openings (the are called something fancier). If/when you tear out tile, be sure you have a budget to replace if needed.

Home Depot is the only place within two hours that sells the pre-fab, and the colors are horrible. I need three bathroom countertops, and the largest is 52". I should be able to find remnants, but I can't even find fabricators who have remnants. Nobody has a website and the fabricators don't advertise, at all. I found six places in Tulsa, but none of them have quartzite remnants. I can only find stone suppliers. I will make a list of suppliers this weekend, and call them on Monday. Maybe they have a list of fabricators near me. Even Google maps didn't have anyone listed near me. They didn't have the two fabricators that are a half hour away from me. What is your opinion on glossy vs honed in a bathroom. My kitchen has leathered Sea Pearl quartzite, and I love it. I prefer matte colors usually, but I doubt I would like leathered bathroom countertops.