Are polished concrete floors the right one for you?
In this article, we will address common questions about polished concrete to help you decide whether or not this flooring solution is the best for your home, office, or warehouse.
What is a polished concrete floor?
Concrete floors are the portion of concrete slabs that are used for people to stand on. Concrete is the most common type of flooring used in modern architecture because of its flexibility and durability. To make these concrete floors part of the building’s aesthetics, the floor is usually covered with other materials like wood, vinyl, epoxy, or stains.
A concrete floor is also made beautiful using concrete polishing technology. This is done by grinding and polishing the concrete floor until it brings out the desired smoothness and gloss. Even a worn out weak concrete floor can become sturdy and visually appealing. With the help of grinding equipment, concrete surfaces are processed to become more durable and attractive to the eye.
Concrete polished floors do not need waxing. This is why many commercial warehouses and offices, including homeowners, prefer this type of flooring.
Where are polished concrete floors used?
Polished concrete can be used in almost all kinds of concrete floor surfaces. The most common uses of this type of flooring are:
- Warehouses
- Retail stores
- Commercial establishments
- Guest houses and vacation homes
- Restaurants
- Automobile showrooms
- Private homes
- Church buildings
- Urban parks and attractions
- Malls
Can you polish all types of concrete floors?
It is possible to polish all types of concrete floors, whether it is a new one or an old. But there are exceptions. It is not possible to polish a concrete floor that is still in its curing period. Concrete floors need to be at least 28 days old before it can be hardened, grinded, and polished.
Existing concrete floors can be polished as long as the concrete surface is cleaned and readied for the concrete polishing process. In surface preparation, non-concrete materials (e.g. metal, plastic), dirt, grease, and blemishes are removed from the concrete floor. Sources of leaks seeping into the concrete are identified and fixed. Waterproofing the walls of the house of structure will help protect the concrete floor from moisture.
Weak concrete floors cannot be polished. These types of floors crack easily and cannot sustain the entire grinding and polishing process. But it is possible to solve this problem through patching cracks applying penetrating hardeners on the concrete. Hardeners chemically react with the concrete to form dense crystalline structures.
Is polished concrete slippery?
A polished concrete floor is not slippery. Several studies from the Concrete Polishing Association of America suggest that polished concrete is the most slip-resistant flooring. Researchers found that the instances of people slipping over polished concrete is much less than any other floor. Because of its flat and polished surface, a polished concrete floor provides more friction on the concrete surface. Even when wet with water, the porous nature of polished concrete provides additional grip that keeps people from slipping.
Floor safety is crucial for any business. Data compiled by the National Floor Safety Institute shows that around 8 million emergency room cases every year are caused by slip, trip, and fall accidents in the workplace. In the Philippines, slips and trips on the floor are one of the most common physical hazards in the workplace.
To further improve the slip-resistance of your concrete floor, always clean up oil, grease and liquid spills immediately. You can also mix grit additives into your sealer coat before applying it into your concrete floor in order to increase its traction. Also make sure that all pathways are clear from obstructions so that no one will trip on
Are polished concrete floors cold?
Concrete conducts heat. Although not as fast as metal, concrete slowly absorbs and releases heat. During summertime in the Philippines, concrete surfaces (including those using marble tiles and natural stone) exposed to the warmth of sunlight during the day would remain warm until the evening. But during rainy season or when used in colder temperatures, concrete floors can get cold and difficult to stand on without slippers or shoes.
Heating elements are used to warm polished concrete floors during cold weather. Homes in colder altitudes like Benguet or Mountain Province are designed in a way that can maximize the amount of sunlight the concrete floor receives during the day. If your polished concrete floor is too cold for your feet, the best and cheapest solution is to use indoor footwear.
Is a polished concrete flooring slippery?
Just like any hard flooring surface, polished concrete floors can get slippery when wet. To avoid slips on polished concrete floors, high-gloss sealers are supplemented with non-slip additives before application. Sealers and additives make a polished concrete floor less slippery, especially areas experiencing heavy foot traffic.
Despite this, the general rule for managing polished concrete floors is to keep its surface clean and dry, and to wipe off any spills or slip-causing agents with non-abrasive cleaning material.
In cases where the concrete surface is frequently wet by external causes like rain and pipe drips, it is important to conduct waterproofing solutions. The right waterproofing methods will prevent water from wetting or penetration the concrete floor.
Is a polished concrete floor prone to cracks?
A common objection to the use of concrete as flooring is the vulnerability of this material to cracking. But cracks are common when the concrete placement does not have the correct proportions. A concrete floor with weak concrete, however, is repaired, sealed, and hardened before it is grinded and polished. When done correctly, this process makes the concrete floor durable and less susceptible to cracks.
Cracks on the concrete surface are also common when curing is not done correctly. It is important to make sure concrete is protected from losing moisture early. When this happens, the concrete experiences shrinkage cracking. Thus, upon placement and finishing, the concrete must be placed immediately in a good curing environment and allowed to cure at least for seven days.
It is important to take of your concrete floor by knowing its limitations. Even if a floor is hardened and polished, it is not invulnerable to damage. Make sure the floor is well-maintained. Hard and heavy objects should be secured properly on shelves so they will not drop on the floor and cause small cracks.
Avoid scratching the concrete floor with sharp metal objects. Use rubber footings on chair, tables, and shelves to keep them from damaging the concrete.
Should I seal my polished concrete floor?
Concrete is porous. Without a sealing element, concrete floors are vulnerable to cracking, scaling, and other problems common to concrete. Pores in a concrete floor can invite moist eventually become a breeding ground for mold.
The process of polishing concrete includes sealing. In this process, pores the polished concrete floor become smaller and less penetrable by liquid. Sealing concrete results in an enhanced appearance, especially when regularly maintained. Polishing concrete protects the floor from damage and extends its design and usability.
Is a polished concrete floor difficult to maintain?
Polished concrete floors are highly durable and can last for a long time. However, they also need regular maintenance to keep their shine. Unlike other flooring types, polished concrete is generally easy to manage. To keep your floor shiny and safe, make sure to regularly remove dust and dist. Always wipe the floor with microfiber whenever it encounters spills and stains. Learn more about how to maintain a polished concrete floor.
Is polished concrete floor resistant to mold?
Unlike regular concrete and other flooring materials, polished concrete floors can be highly resistant to mold growth. Mold grows in highly humid environments, and places where there dirt and moisture can settle. When a polished concrete floor is properly sealed, densified, and well-maintained, it becomes highly durable and easy to clean, reducing opportunities for mold to growth and multiply inside your space. The result is a significant reduction in allergen issues created by mold and dust mites.
Want to know how much this project costs or how much you will spend to have a polished concrete floor in your property? Send us details about your concrete polishing project and we’ll give you a FREE estimate of its cost.