Polished Concrete

Polished concrete floors offer the perfect blend of low maintenance and resilience. With their sleek appearance and durable surface, they require minimal upkeep while standing up to heavy foot traffic and everyday wear and tear. Making these floors ideal for retail stores, restaurants and industrial spaces. 

Locations suitable for polish concrete:
-Retail store                 -Distribution centers
-Restaurant                 -Airports
-Showroom                 -Schools/universities
-Lobby                         -Hotels
-Corridors                   -Offices
-Galleries

What is polish concrete?

The Grout Coat:

The Grout Coat Process effectively addresses minor pinholes and hairline cracks present in concrete floors, enhancing their density and simplifies cleaning. Utilizing this cement-based material, we patch up small flaws across the floor's surface. Application involves a thin layer spread evenly over the entire area. The Grout haze is removed as we progress with the polishing steps, leaving surface pits and cracks filled and leaving the surfaces smooth.

Polished concrete is concrete that has been refined through a series of mechanical steps utilizing professional equipment designed for concrete polishing. This process also includes the use of a concrete densifier/hardener which penetrates into the concrete and creates a chemical reaction to help harden and dustproof the surface. During concrete polishing, the surface is processed through a series of steps (in general, a minimum of 6-8 grinding steps of processing is considered polished concrete) utilizing progressively finer grinding tools. The grinding tools are progressive grits of industrial diamonds in a bonded material such as metal/hybrid/resin often referred to as diamond polishing pads.

Durability:

Polished concrete is exceptionally durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic, making it ideal for high-traffic areas such as retail spaces, warehouses, and industrial facilities.

Longevity:

With proper care and maintenance, polished concrete floors can last for decades, making them a cost-effective flooring solution in the long run.

Versatility:

Polished concrete can be customized to achieve different levels of gloss, aggregate exposure, and decorative effects, allowing for endless design possibilities to suit any aesthetic preference.

Environmentally Friendly:

Polished concrete is an eco-friendly flooring option as it utilizes existing concrete slabs, eliminating the need for additional materials. It also improves indoor air quality by minimizing dust, mold, and allergens.

Benefits

Low Maintenance:

Once polished, concrete floors are easy to clean and maintain. They resist stains, dust, and dirt, requiring only occasional mopping or sweeping.

Cost-Effective:

Compared to other flooring options, such as hardwood or tile, polished concrete is typically more affordable to install and maintain, making it a cost-effective choice for both residential and commercial projects.

Aggregate Exposure

  • Cream

    In this method, only the top layer of the concrete is polished to create a smooth, glossy finish while retaining the natural look of the concrete.

  • Salt and Pepper

    This method involves lightly grinding the surface to reveal just a small amount of aggregate (usually fine sand and cement). It results in a speckled appearance with minimal exposure of aggregate.

  • Large Aggregate

    This method requires heavy grinding to expose the maximum amount of aggregate possible, around 1/4 inch, It offers a textured, industrial look with varying degrees of aggregate visibility.

Gloss Level

  • Level 1 (Matte Finish)

    This level features a flat or matte finish with minimal reflection. It offers a smooth surface with a subtle sheen, providing a natural look similar to honed stone.

  • Level 2 (Satin Finish)

    Level 2 offers a slightly higher gloss level with increased light reflection. It provides a soft, satin-like appearance that enhances the visual appeal of the concrete.

  • Level 3 (Semi-Polished)

    Level 3 achieves a medium-gloss finish with moderate light reflection. The surface appears smoother and more reflective than the, previous levels offering a polished look without excessive shine.

  • Level 4 (High-Gloss)

    This level features a high-gloss finish with significant light reflection, resulting in a mirror-like appearance. It offers maximum shine and polish, making the concrete surface appear glossy and reflective.

Stained concrete

There are several methods for staining concrete, each with its own characteristics and effects. Here are the most common ways to stain concrete:

  1. Acid Staining: Acid staining involves applying a mixture of water, acid, and metallic salts to the concrete surface. The acid reacts with the minerals in the concrete to create unique, translucent color variations and mottled effects. Acid stains typically produce earthy tones like browns, greens, and blues. After applying the stain, a neutralizing agent is used to stop the chemical reaction, and then the surface is sealed to protect the finish.

  2. Water-Based Stains: Water-based stains are made from pigments and acrylic polymers suspended in water. They offer a wider range of colors compared to acid stains and can be applied in multiple layers to achieve deeper hues and intricate patterns. Water-based stains are non-reactive and typically produce more consistent color results. They are also easier to apply and clean up compared to acid stains. Once applied, water-based stains require sealing to protect the color and finish.

  3. Dye Staining: Concrete dyes are similar to water-based stains but contain smaller pigment particles, allowing them to penetrate deeper into the concrete surface. Dyes come in a wide range of vibrant colors and can be used alone or in combination with other staining methods to achieve custom effects. Dye staining provides more intense and uniform coloration compared to acid staining or water-based stains. Like other staining methods, dye-stained concrete requires sealing for protection.

  4. Integral Coloring: (overlay systems only) Integral coloring involves adding pigments directly to the concrete mix before it is poured and cured. This method provides consistent color throughout the entire thickness of the concrete slab. Integral coloring is ideal for achieving solid, uniform colors and is commonly used in outdoor applications such as driveways, patios, and sidewalks.

Each staining method offers its own aesthetic possibilities and considerations, so it's essential to choose the one that best suits your desired outcome and maintenance preferences.

Color chart

Preview out color chart for our stain options, our team will work with you to bring your vision to life.

Expectations and Limitations

Unfortunately, not every concrete surface is suitable for polishing. The success of polishing existing concrete largely hinges on the quality of the concrete provided. Generally, most existing commercial concrete that exhibits adequate strength and hardness can yield exceptional polishing outcomes. However, numerous factors come into play, including the composition of aggregates, variations in color, presence of contaminants, cracks, imprints from previous flooring, existing stains, nail holes, patched areas, and overall flatness, all of which can significantly influence the final appearance and results.

Conversely, newly poured slabs constructed to meet specifications tailored for a polished concrete finish can mitigate many of these variables, leading to enhanced finishing results compared to working with existing concrete slabs. For projects in the preliminary design stage that incorporate a polished concrete floor finish, the Concrete Polishing Council (formerly CPAA) of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) recommends integrating their design and construction guidelines into the Division 03 cast-in-place concrete specifications, as outlined by the project's structural engineer.

FAQs

  • Yes, polished concrete can be stained or dyed to achieve a wide range of colors and decorative effects.

  • The time required depends on various factors such as the size of the area, condition of the concrete, and desired level of polish. Timeline of install will be determined after the consultation.

  • Yes, damaged areas of polished concrete can typically be repaired using patching materials and re-polishing techniques.

  • Due to their elevated coefficient of friction, polished concrete floors offer a slip resistance level surpassing the national standard for low slip floors by 20% to 50%.

  • Yes, existing concrete can be polished as long as it is structurally sound and in good condition. Keep in mind, existing cracks will still remain.

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Concrete Seal and Coatings