Polished concrete floors are gorgeous and can dramatically improve the value of your home. This is because polished concrete has an identical look and texture to stone or slate, making it highly desirable for use in homes. The only disadvantage to polished concrete floors is that they are not as flexible as other types of flooring. As a result, they can crack under high pressure. This may be acceptable to some homeowners, but if you want to ensure that your polished concrete floors stay looking new, it is important to learn how to take care of them properly.
Polished Concrete: A polished concrete floor undergoes multiple cuts with various sized abrasive particles. Each of these pieces is ground to create a smooth, mirror-like surface that mimics stone or slate. This procedure is done by grinding a thin, strip-like edge of the concrete slab material into the desired shape. Although this may seem like a time-consuming and difficult process, it is actually quite straightforward. In addition, it offers extremely high-quality results that will outlast any other flooring material. It is also a very safe preparation process, as it leaves the floor with a porous surface that is highly flexible for cleaning.
What Is It? Polished Concrete: Polished concrete floors are made from a thin, strip-like sheet of ground to imitate stone or slate. Although this looks similar to marble, polished concrete floors do not have the porous texture of marble. Also, polished concrete does not require the buffing and finishing processes that marble flooring must undergo. It is also fairly easy to clean, which makes it highly beneficial for use in homes.
Why Use It? Polished Concrete Floors has a wide variety of designs to meet any home decor and architectural style. This gives homeowners many design options when considering their floors. There are few maintenance challenges associated with using polished concrete floors, which can help reduce future repair costs. Also, polishing concrete floors makes them more beautiful than any other flooring material.
What Are The Benefits? There are numerous benefits to using polished concrete floors over exposed concrete floors. For example, polished concrete floors require little to no maintenance because the material is so easy to clean. Furthermore, they offer a higher sheen, which is highly appealing when selecting a flooring product. Exposed flooring products require more maintenance because they must be buffed and finished to achieve the desired final look.
How Are They Made? During the construction process, the desired finish for the flooring is determined. For instance, if marble is desired, the flooring is placed on an electric conveyor belt, which grinds and polishes the concrete. Afterward, it is moved to a baking oven to heat and harden the marble. It then returns to the concrete polishing shop, where the floors are made from a new batch of concrete polishing resin.
Can You Create A Higher Finish Using Fine Grains Of Diamond Aggressive? Yes, – You certainly can! If your existing concrete slab has a dull or sandy surface, you can use diamond abrasive particles on a fine mesh wax pad to create a highly reflective shine.
Are These Floors Salt Or Sweat-resistant? Yes, – Salt, sweat, and wind exposure cannot penetrate the surface of polished concrete floors. Also, these floors retain their luster and are very easy to maintain. In fact, it only requires normal cleaning and polishing procedures to maintain the sheen. Additionally, these floors are fire-resistant and have a lifetime warranty.
What are the polishing procedures for these floors? Typically, there are three basic methods for application: using a power trowel, using a pressure washer, or employing water jets. Each method involves several steps, but it all begins with a thorough cleaning of the concrete slab using a power trowel. This step helps loosen dirt and debris that might be trapped in the finish.
A high-powered water jet is then used to polish the floor further and bring out the original shine. Many homeowners will notice that a polished concrete floor has a mirror-like quality to its reflection. Some people refer to this as a “high luster” shine. This is caused by the reflection that is given by these floors when they are lit from below (with windows nearby).
These floors also have a highly durable coating that resists scratches and is almost identical to the appearance of stone, though it is much less expensive. When these floors are sealed, their ability to withstand staining is virtually unendurable. When you combine these factors with low maintenance costs, the cost-effectiveness is hard to beat. If you are looking for a floor that will look almost identical to natural stone and be virtually maintenance-free, you should consider polished concrete floors.