What is Polished Concrete?

Source:www.stonediamondtool.com Date:2020/11/16 Read:258

Polished Concrete

It was once confined to the stone and terrazzo industries only, but today it is widely used in residential, public sector and commercial buildings.

From gigantic stores like Wal-Mart to corporate offices, schools, hospitals, churches and private residences, polished concrete floors are everywhere. High-tech concrete floor polishing equipment is used to make concrete surface shine and gleam. However, polishing a concrete floor isn’t a piece of cake. It needs specific skills and experience. Thus, it is recommended that you use a experienced polished concrete flooring contractor.

Polished concrete is concrete that has been treated with a chemical densifier and ground with progressively finer grinding tools. The grinding tools are progressive grits of graded diamonds and diamond polishing pads. Typically, concrete is not considered polished before 400 grit has been applied, and it is normally finished to either an 800, 1500, or 3000 grit level.

The demand for polished concrete floors is growing worldwide. The process of polishing concrete with a concrete floor grinder is similar to refinishing wood with a floor sander. Concrete grinders are used to gradually grind down the concrete surface using a combination of metal bond diamond abrasives followed by resin bond diamonds to achieve the desired shine and smoothness.

Polished concrete is considered a good sustainable design option because it makes use of the materials already present. Most modern buildings are built on or with a concrete slab; polishing the exposed concrete eliminates the energy and material consumed by applying a floor covering. It is something to consider when building or modernizing towards a more green solution.

Polished concrete floors are low-maintenance, as they are more durable and easier to clean than many flooring options. Its relatively high coefficient of friction can make it non-slippery. Polished concrete reduces dust mites and allergen problems, and does not support mould growth. Anecdotal evidence suggests highly reflective polished concrete reduces lighting needs and improves natural lighting. Polished concrete flooring is hard wearing and will not naturally chip or dent like softer surfaces such as timber. Mopping with warm water and flooring conditioner once a week is the only maintenance required. A concrete floor that has been hardened and polished will have an extremely long life expectancy compared to other flooring. For example, tile that may only last 10–20 years(tile is a vague term. porcelain will last hundreds of years with no maintenance), but a polished concrete floor that has been properly maintained may give 100+ years of service.