Concrete is one of the most versatile and widely-used building materials around. At present, it is gaining popularity as a choice of flooring material for residential and commercial buildings.
This is because various treatments can now be done or added to concrete that transforms it into a durable, safe, and attractive flooring material.
Polished concrete flooring is the result of a concrete floor treated with a chemical densifier to harden the concrete to enable a deep, rich-looking finish.
It is then ground back (like sanding wood) with a machine using progressively finer grinding pads. The resulting concrete surface is incredibly smooth and shiny.
The final result ranges from “honed” which is smooth, but without shine through to “polished”.
The beauty of a polished or honed surface is that the aggregates or stones incorporated into the concrete become exposed, adding an extra element to the appearance of the finish.
Polished concrete floors offer a variety of advantages which include the following:
One of the biggest benefits that polished concrete flooring offers is affordability. Pricing is similar to other popular flooring options.
However, if you compare each flooring material’s long-term cost, you will find that polished concrete to be the least expensive.
Also, bear in mind that concrete is one of the strongest flooring materials around. As such, you will have a beautiful floor that will last for a long time.
You don’t necessarily need to spend extra on regular buffing, re-waxing, or resurfacing after installation, thereby saving you more money in the long term. Sealing is optional rather than necessary.
Unlike certain flooring materials such as vinyl, hardwood, or ceramic tile, which need to be cut and installed, an existing concrete floor can be polished back to stunning effect without making major adjustments to the existing area.
Polished concrete floors are suitable for residential, commercial applications. They are ideal for both indoor and outdoor spaces as well.
Since concrete is one of the strongest building materials on the market, polished concrete floors are extremely durable offering a great advantage over linoleum, vinyl, or tiles.
Their good quality and look can last for up to 10 years with minimal upkeep. They are also not prone to break easily due to impact.
Due to their non-porous nature, polished concrete floors are easy to clean and maintain. To keep them clean, all that needs to be done is to simply sweep and mop up the surface.
Like any surface, the floor will require damp mopping from time to time to preserve the high gloss and prevent the accumulation of dirt on the flooring surface.
But as long as the floors are expertly installed and polished, you won’t need to worry about getting the surface re-polished within 10 years.
Concrete dusting is a combined result of the general wear and tear of untreated concrete floors and their porous nature.
The dust is a result of concrete breaking down into a fine powder in cracks and seams as well as accumulating in tiny porous holes in the surface.
This dusting can be a nuisance since clean-up can be a drag. It can also lead to a number of health issues since the dust can irritate the eyes, cause allergies, etc.
With a polished concrete floor, this dusting component is greatly reduced. The densifying treatment at the beginning makes the concrete surface incredibly hard and assists in closing up pores when the surface is ground/polished back.
You won’t have to worry about the wearing of the floor due to its tough “skin”.
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While not completely impervious to staining, polished concrete is easy to clean and resistant to most kinds of staining. Just make sure you mop up any spillages before they have a chance to soak in — preferably within ten minutes.
When considering the different types of indoor and outdoor flooring options, a polished concrete floor offers the greatest protection against most kinds of stains and marks. Because of this, it is a highly recommended flooring solution for commercial, and outdoor or landscaping applications.
This type of flooring option does not require the use of hazardous chemicals during installation and for maintenance. Due to its polished surface, mold, mildew, and allergens won’t accumulate on a polished concrete floor, too.
In addition, polished concrete is a sustainable solution that can help you save on your energy bills. This type of floor retains excellent thermal mass, meaning it has great insulating properties once it reaches the desired temperature.
Some concrete floors can have thermal wiring incorporated in them when they are initially poured, which means they can be used to generate warmth during winter. Once switched off, the floors stay cool during the summertime.
Lastly, if you want to have a great looking indoor or outdoor floor, the smooth, high-gloss look of a polished concrete floor will give your home the elegance and sophistication you’re looking to have. You will always have a floor that looks amazing and well-kept at any time of the year.
This is a refined and timeless option if you are looking for a beautiful, silky smooth decorative concrete treatment.
Even if your main reasons for choosing concrete as your flooring material are affordability and durability, you don’t need to have a gray, dull-looking floor inside or outside your home, or commercial property. By getting it polished, you will have a floor that will amp up the overall look and style of your property.
Concrete Grind and Seal Flooring are hardy, cool, and very cost-effective. For more details please visit https://policrete.com.au/services/grind-and-seal-finishes/
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I like that you mentioned how polished concrete floors are extremely durable, which would offer a great advantage over linoleum, vinyl, or tiles. We have just begun the construction of our new house and we are still trying to decide what material to use for it. Polished concrete seems like the best option for us right now, so we should probably use that for our house.