Using white cement, white fine aggregate, and white coarse aggregate for the concrete provides the brightest white surface and consistent color through the entire depth of the floor. As natural white sands may not be available everywhere, a manufactured sand that is crushed from white stone is a good alternative. In this case, both fine and coarse aggregate can be derived from a single source, resulting in uniform concrete color. Proportioning should be such that fine aggregate content ranges from approximately 45% to 60% of the coarse aggregate content; 50% is a good starting point.

There are several options for building light reflective floors. When white concrete is placed for the entire thickness of the slab, it is referred to as full-depth construction. This method allows the concrete to be handled and placed with the same basic procedures used for gray concrete floors. Alternately, a layer of white concrete can be placed over new or existing floors. In new construction, this is known as a two-course floor, and in retrofit applications, this would be a topping (generally bonded to the base slab). New floor surfaces can also be made light reflective by applying proprietary shake-on materials to the fresh concrete. Each of these options—full-depth, two-course, toppings, and shake-ons—results in permanent color, unlike paints and coatings that wear off over time.

There is a certain level of competency needed to construct concrete floors on ground; light reflective floors require added expertise to consistently achieve the proper surface quality, including color, durability, and any other specified aspect. Usually, full-depth installations are preferred because they are slightly less complicated to install than light reflective toppings. However, where toppings are chosen or required, there are general guidelines for installing them. Thin toppings (<50 mm [<2 in.] thick) must be bonded to the base slab. Thicker toppings, which resist wear from heavy trucks, are typically more than 50 mm (2 in.) thick and can be unbonded if designed to carry loads based on accepted thickness design procedures.