Methods, systems and polished overlays utilizing an uncoupling membrane between a substrate (e.g., floor) and a deposited polishable overlay. The overlay may be a self-leveling, polishable overlay. An uncoupling membrane is secured to a substrate followed by directly depositing a polishable overlay over and contacting the uncoupling membrane. The uncoupling membrane secures the polishable overlay to the substrate without use of a primer/broadcast sand layer. The polishable overlay may fill voids in the uncoupling membrane and may be deposited over the uncoupling membrane to a thickness residing above a top surface of the uncoupling membrane. The polishable overlay may be polished once cured whereby the uncoupling membrane reduces stresses in the overlay layer during polishing.