What is a polished concrete floor?
Polished concrete is created by using heavy duty polishing machines, fitted with progressively finer graded diamond discs.
Polishing begins with coarse diamond segments, bonded in a metallic disc matrix, attached under the machines.
These metallic discs are used to expose the aggregate or stone that is within concrete.
Course grinding is designed to remove blemishes, stains and various existing coatings on some concrete floors.
Benefits of Polished Concrete:
- Durability
- Low maintenance
- Hypo-allergenic
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Affordability
- Easy to clean
Full Exposed finish
Next stage utilises diamond abrasives embedded in a plastic or resin based matrix and once again attached to the bottom of the machines.
This is then worked through stages starting from 50 grit resins through to 1500 or 3000 grit resins.
During the resin grit stages a chemical harder or densifier is applied to penetrate into the concrete, creating a reaction that hardens and dust proofs the surface.
While up to 3 penetrating densifier coats are applied during the finer grinding process, no other coatings are added.
The polish and shine is produced solely by working the concrete through the polishing stages from coarse grit diamonds to very fine grits diamonds.
The end result is either an extremely high gloss lustre finish, a satin or a flat sheen depending on the customer’s requirements.
Salt and Pepper look
Of course each concrete slab is unique.
Getting the perfect polish begins with the original placement and finishing of the slab.
Imperfections and defects’ usually form during the placement or finishing of the concrete.
These defects or imperfections are usually brought back on the polisher as something they haven’t done right.
However, understanding placement and finishing of the original concrete slab, can help one educate the concreter on how you want your slab completed.
Today, architects and builders consult with floor-polishing trades, in order to determine how to create a perfect polished floor.
From old or rustic damaged floors, to carefully created custom concrete pours, make a lasting impression today.
