Polished Concrete
Applications:
- Office
- Retail
- Restaurants
- Schools
About Polished Concrete:
Polishing concrete in principle is pretty straight forward – taking a rough, porous concrete surface and polishing it to a smooth finish. However, there are several factors to be considered, and several process steps that need to be accomplished in order to achieve the desired final finish.
- Aggregate exposure. If some level of aggregate exposure is desired, this needs to be specified and agreed to before starting work. Polishing can be done either with or without aggregate exposure – if aggregate exposure is desired, diamond grinding is required before starting the polishing process.
- Finished Gloss. The surface is polished in successive steps, usually starting with 50 grit and ending at 400, 800, 1500, or even 3000 grit. A higher level of polish translates into a higher finished gloss level. Along with aggregate exposure, this needs to be specified and agreed to before starting work.
- During the polishing process, a densifier is added to harden the concrete. This helps prevent surface damage and provides a longer service life.
- Dyes/Stains: Color can be added to the floor if desired.
- Sealing: A clear sealer is applied as the last step in the polishing process.
A properly polished concrete floor provides a long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing, and clean-able surface.