What is the Process for Polishing Concrete?
In order to take a slab from a troweled finish to a high sheen polished finish the concrete must be ground with varying grits of diamond resin pads. This is normally acheived with a a floor grinding machine know as a planetary grinder. This is a grinder with multiple heads spinning in different directions to aid the contractor in controlling the machine and creating an even finish.
In conjunction with grinding the floor, chemicals are often used called concrete densifiers or hardeners. These products react with the soluble calcium compounds in the cement to create insoluble calcium silicates. This process fills in many of the pores in the concrete creating a surface with much greater hardness.
Concrete Polishing: Should I Consider Polished Concrete?
Polished concrete is fast overtaking traditional concrete coatings in polularity due to its distinctive look and its superior durability. A professionally polished concrete floor is more than just a concrete slab that is made smooth and shiney. If a concrete floor is professionally polished it should have increased durablity as well as beauty. New advancements in technology now allow a concrete polishing contractor to densify a concrete floor through a process of diamond grinding and application of chemicals to a hardness much greater than that of a common concrete slab.
SoCal offers Concrete Floor Polishing in Orange County and Los Angeles County in Southern California. If you are interested in Polished Concrete floors give us a call at (714) 265-7134.
Can the Polished Concrete be Colored?
Yes if a more decorative finish is desired the concrete can be dyed as part of the grinding process. Decorative patterns can also be cut into the surface to create tile effects. Another popular and beautiful look is that of exposed aggregate. If the concrete is ground more aggressively the aggregate stone in the concrete can be exposed. This is a look similar to terrazzo.
Will Polished Concrete Peel or Flake up?
One of the best features of any of Polished Concrete is that it is not a coating. Coatings have significant limitations and are prone to failure. Even industrial coatings such as epoxy that are properly applied will often chip or flake under heavy traffic and often require recoating in 3-5 years. Below is a chart comparing the performance of concrete polishing to epoxy coatings.
Questions?Click Here for more info
Questions?Click Here for more info
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| Polished Concrete | Epoxy Coatings | |
| Peeling | Does not peel or Flake - There is Nothing to Peel | Frequently Peels and Flakes |
| Dusting | Dusting is Usually Eliminated | Dusting Often Causes Failure of the Coating |
| Slip Resistance | Inherent Slip Resistance | Can be Slippery Unless Sand or Other Agregate is Added. |
| Maintenance | Does Not Require Waxing | Frequent Waxing Recommended on Decorative Applications |
| Environmental | Uses the Existing Floor, no Noticible VOCs | Frequently Have High VOCs and Often Require Frequent Recoating |
| Down Time | Polished Concrete Requires no Cure Time | Often Requires Cure Time of Several Days After Completion |
| Longevity | Normally 10-15 Years | Often Requires Recoating in 2-5 Years |
| Cost | Comparable to Epoxy Coatings | Comparable to Concrete Polishing |
SoCal Provides Concrete Polishing Services in Los Angeles and Orange County
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