The Secret Behind a Smooth, Shiny, and Polished Concrete Floor

Have you ever visited a food and beverage establishment, a manufacturing facility, a pharmaceutical facility, an aviation facility, a school, or any other location and found the concrete floors to be as smooth, shiny, and timeless as a natural stone? Have you ever wondered what makes a polished concrete floor different from others you've seen with rough and unappealing surfaces?

The difference between these concrete floors is usually the polishing (or lack thereof), and while getting a polished concrete floor can be difficult, the results are always worth the effort. We've provided information on what concrete floor polishing is, how to prepare for concrete floor polishing, commercial flooring installation, and the final concrete floor polishing steps to help you understand what it's all about.

This article will provide you with a basic guide to concrete floor polishing, whether you are a contractor looking to get into the industry or a client looking for polished concrete floor information to help you make informed decisions about your concrete floor polishing.

What is Concrete Floor Polishing?

Concrete floor polishing is a multi-step process that turns old and worn-out concrete floor surfaces into aesthetically pleasing surfaces. It also includes grinding new concrete floors to a high-gloss finish that never requires waxes or coatings, resulting in a non-porous concrete floor surface with a high-gloss finish polish that offers exceptional durability, positive impact resistance, peeling resistance, and ease of cleaning.

True concrete floor polishing is a more time-consuming process that produces highly reflective surfaces. It entails the use of finer grit pads, as well as the application of a densifier and, finally, a sealant. The densifier seals the pores in the concrete floor, giving it a mirror finish.

Whether or not you require this high-end finish is usually a matter of practicality. What you need to consider is whether you want a mirror finish for the type of business you're in, which commercial flooring installation guidelines and examples of other polished concrete floors can provide.

Preparation and Execution of Concrete Floor Polishing

Preparation

Preparation for concrete floor polishing starts with you questioning whether polishing your concrete floor is the right move and understanding the difference between concrete grinding and concrete polishing.

Polishing by hand is preferable because it is faster, has a lower environmental impact, and is less messy. Using the knowledge gained from Industrial Commercial Epoxy (I.C.E.) Flooring's Epoxy Flooring Madison Preparation for polished concrete floor work should include getting face masks, safety goggles, earplugs, and protective clothing to combat dust, as well as bonded diamonds and sandpaper if you have concrete floor polishing experience. Check to see if the machine to be used can be fitted with a dust collection system to reduce the amount of dust in the workspace. 

It is always advisable to carefully consider the polishing machine you intend to use. The nature of the project at hand usually informs this. If you contact I.C.E Flooring's Flooring Madison, Wi component for advice, they will always recommend the best one.

Execution

Typically, concrete polishing begins with a relatively coarse metal-bonded diamond and ends with an extremely smooth one. A bonded diamond is a disc or shoe that contains diamond particles that have been embedded in plastic or metal. The diamond's coarseness is known as its "grit," and the higher the number, the smoother the surface finish.

Commercial Flooring Installation

In any commercial setting, you want your floors to look good and last a long time. The floor must be long lasting, able to withstand constant foot traffic, and simple to clean and maintain. You also want your flooring choices to be an extension of the experience you're creating for your clients, so they can tell others about it. The story you want to tell could be about elegance and status, your brand, style, and personality, purchasing behavior drivers, safety and comfort, cheerfulness and concentration, performance and durability, or cleanliness and care.

Scheduling issues are unavoidable in any commercial flooring installation because you cannot close your business indefinitely to wait for your floors to be completed. Even in brand-new construction, flooring installation must be meticulously coordinated with the work of other contractors.

Final Concrete Floor Polishing Steps

After you've finished polishing your concrete floor, vacuum the dust away and wipe it down with a dry cloth. After that, apply a coat of sealer and allow it to dry for at least 45 minutes before applying a sealant to make the surface impervious. This will assist you in having a floor that is both durable and beautifully reflective of light.

Get Help With Your Concrete Floor Polishing

Concrete polishing is a meticulous process that must be carried out. The good news is that you don't have to face this alone. To assist you with your project, I.C.E Flooring has experts as well as the necessary grinding and polishing equipment. So take advantage of their expertise by calling them at 608-470-8777 at any time or by clicking here to access other ways of contacting them.