Simply put, polishing concrete is similar to sanding wood. Heavy-duty polishing machines equipped with progressively finer grits of diamond-impregnated segments or disks (kinda like sandpaper but exponentially stronger) are used to gradually grind down surfaces to the smoothness the customer desires; then, a polishing compound is added for shine.
The process begins with the use of coarse diamond segments bonded in a metallic matrix. These segments are coarse enough to remove minor pits, blemishes, stains, or light coatings from the floor in preparation for final smoothing. Depending on the condition of the concrete, this initial rough grinding is generally a three- to four-step process.
The next steps involve fine grinding of the concrete surface using diamond abrasives embedded in a plastic or resin matrix. Crews use ever-finer grits of polishing disks (a process called lapping) until the floor has the desired sheen. For an extremely high-gloss finish, a final grit of 1500 or finer may be used.
As with all floor treatments, the floor should be in place at least 28 days before polishing begins to ensure adequate curing.
Floors that are wavy, need extensive patching, or are extremely porous may not be good candidates for polishing.
Kept clean and dry, polished concrete floors are generally no slicker than plain concrete surfaces. And they tend to be less slippery than waxed linoleum or polished marble. However, a wet polished floor does not provide the texture needed for a perfectly slip resistant surface.
Although keeping polished concrete shiny requires minimal effort and expense, some regular care is necessary. We recommend a simple maintenance program of occasional dusting to remove grit and damp mopping to enhance the shine. These products can be applied with a mop or auto scrubber and do not require buffing. With basic cleaning, polished concrete should keep its luster for many years. Eventually, though, the shine can dull, especially in high-traffic areas. Fortunately, its easy to restore the gleam. Simply buffing the floor with a commercial polishing compound will do the trick.
When you need longevity and an easy to clean surface with less maintenance, Polished Concrete can be a good recommendation for many floor uses but it is not the end all beat all solution. Consider how you will use the floor and what abuses it will endure and make a decision that is best for you. With routine care and maintenance a polished floor, will be everlasting but without proper care and maintenance you cant expect optimal results. The concrete polishing process consists of progressively grinding the concrete with very aggressive diamond tooling to more refined diamond tooling to create a very smooth, hard, reflective surface. Concrete on its own is not shiny, the shine comes from the use of a densifier which is polished into the pores of the slab. This is a common misconception that the floor is shiny from the polishing process but think about waxing your vehicle..you can run a buffer over the surface and see the shine of the original paint but when you add the way it becomes a brilliant and deep shine… thats what densifier does, it gives the floor is brilliant and deep shine. The floor becomes an aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, surface.
Polished Concrete Floors make an ideal low maintenance finish suitable for:
- Warehouse floors / Storage areas
- Manufacturing plants
- Retail
- Grocery Stores
- Big Box Stores
- Waiting rooms
- Showrooms
- Public Storage Facilities
- Airports
- Office Complexes
- Restaurant Dining Areas
- Stores
- Homes
- Schools
When properly done, a polished floor will not need an added sealer. It is not recommended, but it will need an occasional wax or polish to maintain its shine and durability and impervious nature.
Advantages of Polished Concrete:
- Easy to clean – daily mop or weekly autoscrub
- Slip resistance – only when dry
- Increased light reflectivity, therefore, less lighting req’d
- Modern, elegant, and timeless appearance of stone
Although extremely durable as well as many benefits, polished concrete is not the solution for every situation. Depending on your application you may consider epoxy, polyurea or even a simple sealer.
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Read more about polishing in Concrete Decor’s Magazine article here.
