Concrete Polishing

Polished concrete has become very popular in the last five years. The assumption is that concrete needs to be covered with tile, laminate, or coating. No one considers the concrete substrate itself as a finished floor. The polishing of terrazzo, natural stone, granite, and marble is a great alternative.

Polished concrete floors are low in maintenance, durable, and easy to clean. Many large clothing stores, Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, and super centers, are polishing their existing substrate because of excellent abrasion resistance, mar resistance, and scratch resistance.

Polished concrete has a high coefficient with friction, which makes it non-slippery. It also reduces dust mites and allergenic problems in addition to slowing and eliminating any mold growth, which usually occurs under floor coverings.

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The Process

During this process, the concrete is treated with a water-based densifier to penetrate under the pores of the concrete to react and crystallize within and densify the concrete surface. Starting with a low grit diamond and progressively working up with high grit diamonds. Diamond cup wheels are used to polish the perimeters and around tight areas and columns.

Concrete is not considered polished until at least a 400 grit, with at least 5 step minimum. Mostly it’s finished no higher than 800 grit. In some cases, it can be polished up to 1,500 or even 3,000. Dyes can be used in conjunction with polishing.

Decorative saw cutting and dyeing over the top of the polishing can be done to enhance or provide decorative value to the actual polish. Cutting radial lines, grids, bands, and borders can add dimension. The designs are unlimited. Stencils can be applied over the polished surface, sandblasting lettering, logos, or any design.

No Limitations

The designs are unlimited. Stencils can be applied over the polished surface, sandblasting lettering, logos, or any design. In the early stages of pouring a concrete foundation, a range of aggregates can be selected that can be added into the concrete substrate, hand-applied, or seeded into an actual foundation or concrete slab that can be ground and polished.

It is considered sustainable and sought after by builders and architects because of the options and the use of existing materials that are already present. Polishing the exposed concrete eliminates energy and material that is typically consumed with the floor covering. It is an environmental choice that can offer a green solution.

There is substantial evidence that it reduces the amount of lighting needed in large warehouses because of its ability to reflect light and improving the ability to accept natural lighting through windows, sunroofs, or any other available sources.