The Complete Guide to Polished Concrete
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Polished concrete is a popular finishing choice in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. It is simpler to maintain than other flooring alternatives and maintains surfaces smooth and clean.
Because of the distinct look of polished concrete, floors have a distinct aesthetic finish that is excellent for both business and residential settings.
Polished concrete surfaces outperform other concrete surfaces in terms of adaptability, sophistication, and durability. This article will look at several polished concrete design alternatives and uses in construction.
What exactly is polished concrete?
When a surface is polished, it is refined using a grind and seal procedure and sharpened with abrasives to cut into the surface of the concrete. Polished concrete has a shiny, satin-like appearance. Each cut improves the look of the concrete.
Abrasive grinding tools are used to improve a concrete surface. The continuous elimination of protrusions and surface imperfections on concrete creates a surface that is resistant to deterioration and naturally reflects light.
A penetrant chemical known as a densifier or hardener is used in the concrete polishing process. The densifier enters the concrete and hardens it. It also makes the surface water-resistant, lowers porosity, and aids in the filling of aeration holes in concrete.
As a polished floor works well with sealants, densification enhances the look of concrete and boosts stain resistance.
Mechanically polished concrete, which is produced with heavy machinery, is also more long-lasting and resilient under high traffic.
The benefits and drawbacks of polished concrete
Polished concrete, like all other flooring systems, has various characteristics that make it an outstanding option for finishing. In general, polished concrete surfaces have very few drawbacks. The following is a list of the benefits and drawbacks of this kind of concrete.
Advantages of Polished Concrete
Polished concrete surfaces are less expensive than other smooth floor finishes such as marble, hardwood, and tile. Most polished surface installations are inexpensive, particularly when using an existing concrete slab. The cost reductions extend not only to the installation but also to the life of the concrete.
- Simple to keep: Unlike other floor surfaces that require stripping, waxing, and refinishing, these surfaces are simple to maintain. After installation, a polished concrete surface requires minimal upkeep.
- Easy to maintain: Polished concrete surfaces are more durable than other types of finishes. When compared to other flooring systems, there is a low probability of failure due to breaking, and no maintenance or touch-up work is required.
- Immune to mold: Other flooring systems are readily harmed by moisture and mildew, but polished concrete is resistant, making it a great option for asthmatics.
- Versatile: Concrete finishes provide customers with additional color and design possibilities and may be utilized in both indoor and outdoor settings. Surfaces may also be embellished with stenciled designs and ornate engravings.
- Environmentally friendly: Unlike hardwood floors and vinyl carpets, there are no toxic additives or chemicals used in the installation of polished concrete surfaces. They’re also immune to allergies, fungi, and mustiness.
- Thermal shock resistance: Thermal shock-resistant coatings may be applied to concrete floors to prevent degradation of the concrete surface when subjected to hot water or steam washes.
- Slip-resistant: By applying non-slip epoxy to your coated surface, you may reduce accidents and falls on polished floors, particularly in business settings.
The disadvantages of polished concrete include:
- Hard: Its strength and durability may also be a disadvantage, since the hard surface can be difficult to stand on for an extended period of time. Anti-fatigue mats may be used in situations where personnel may be standing for lengthy periods of time.
- Cold: Concrete floors do not keep heat well and might get cold, particularly in the winter. To reduce heat loss, heating wires may need to be embedded in the concrete floor.
- Loud: Concrete flooring, like ceramic tiles, hardwood, or bamboo floors, may be loud at times. Rugs, acoustic wall panels, and curtains may be used to block or absorb sound in certain areas.
What is the price of polished concrete flooring?
A polished concrete floor finish ranges in price from $3 to $12 per square foot. The cost depends on the sort of finish you desire for your project.
A simple polished concrete finish will cost between $3 and $5 per square foot. The surface is polished to a reasonable gloss, there is only one stain layer and color, and such a finish takes little preparation.
A mid-range finish will cost between $5 and $8 per square foot. It features more customizing options, a glossier finish, requires more surface preparation, and has richer design patterns than a basic finish.
A high-end polished concrete finish costs $8 to $12 per square foot. It requires more intensive grinding and surface preparation and provides many color matching and intricate decorative patterns.
A few things influence the total cost of polishing concrete. They are as follows:
Gloss or Shine level: The gloss or shine level dictates the stages required for the polishing procedure. The glossier the surface, the more polishing required and the more expensive the job.
- Area: A larger square footage raises overall expenditures.
- The number of available rooms: When laying polished concrete flooring, the number of rooms increases the amount of workaround required between entrances and edges, raising the labor expenses of the project.
- Currently installed flooring: If the present flooring system must be removed, it raises project expenses and has an impact on surface preparation costs. Surface preparation labor expenses will rise if a surface is carpeted or covered with linoleum tiles.
- Existing surface: If certain cracks or gouges need to be repaired before polishing, the restoration will be more expensive. It will be more expensive if an overlay is also required on the surface. Surface preparation might cost up to $2 per square foot.
- Design: From polishing plain grain concrete to sophisticated bespoke designs, design has a huge influence on concrete parts.
Commercial vs. residential: Polished concrete is often less expensive in commercial projects than it is in home ones.
Installing Polished Concrete Flooring
Installing a polished concrete floor is a difficult and time-consuming process. Most polished concrete floors go through the stages listed below.
- Surface preparation: comprises preparing the concrete surface so that it may be used properly. Concrete will be cleaned so that it may be resurfaced or polished.
- Polishing: If you already have a concrete floor, use a grinder to remove any imprints or protrusions from the surface.
- Sealing: The floor is wiped with a non-abrasive cloth after polishing to eliminate dirt from the surface. The next step is to apply a sealer, which is a protective coating that increases the durability of concrete.
These are the primary processes in putting down a polished concrete floor. For a world-class finish, make sure you have a solid crew with expertise and accuracy.
How long does polished concrete flooring installation take?
The time required varies depending on the task. Small works, such as basement flooring, may take 5 to 6 days, but more intricate, ornamental jobs, such as overlays and bespoke patterns, require longer.
The time required to polish the surface is also affected by the surface state. Polishing a surface that is simple to prepare takes less time. A floor that needs substantial preparation will add a day or two to your timeline.
The time necessary to install polished concrete surfaces is additionally increased by the project’s size, intricacy, ease of access, and dry periods required after each coat application.
In a fresh concrete slab, it is essential to wait for it to dry fully before commencing polishing the surface.
How to Take Care of Polished Concrete Flooring
Though polished concrete floors are long-lasting, they need little upkeep to prevent dirt and grime from accumulating and abrading the surface. The frequency of maintenance is mostly determined by the amount of activity on the floor, with heavy traffic regions needing more regular cleaning.
The first step is to dust mop the floor with a microfiber pad to remove dirt particles. Dust particles are abrasives that may deteriorate the appearance of a polished concrete surface.
The next step is to wet the floor with clean water and a mop for tiny areas. Use a non-abrasive pad for regions with a lot of square footage. Ensure you clear spills as quickly as possible to prevent them from getting absorbed on the surface.
As you clean, ensure the cleaning solution does not dry on the concrete surface. You may do this by cleaning little pieces first.
