Concrete Floor Polished To a High Shine

Concrete Floor Polished To a High Shine

In polished concrete, natural stone and aggregate are accentuated in the final finish by polishing the concrete surface. In both residential and commercial projects, this timeless yet modern flooring is a cost-effective way to turn a concrete slab into a focal point. It compliments a wide variety of materials and is suitable for all types of projects due to its durability, low maintenance and low cost.

We will discuss the following in this article:

  • The benefits of polished concrete and how to achieve it
  • A cost estimate for polished concrete
  • Polished concrete floors have 5 benefits
  • Concrete slab polishing: what you need to know
  • The alternatives you can choose if your concrete is not suitable for polished concrete

Is polished concrete the same as rough concrete?

In addition to enhancing concrete slabs’ natural characteristics, polished concrete floors add an extra touch of elegance. Concrete floors (existing concrete slabs or new slabs) are mechanically ground, honed, polished to create a desired finish level on their surface.

Polished floors can be provided by many specialists. Choosing the right contractor is essential to getting the desired level of aggregate exposure and high polishing standards.

Depending on the size of the project, concrete polishing often takes a few days. The polished concrete finish can differ depending on the concrete slab as each is unique. The end result is difficult to control, which is an important aspect to keep in mind. It’s usually better to grind & seal concrete, burnish concrete, or polish concrete mechanically. There are several other options available, including creating radial lines, scoring and grids.

What are the prices for polished concrete flooring?

Concrete floors can be polished for as little as $65 per square meter, making them a cost-effective option.

Depending on the number of square meters and any additional surface preparation needed, each job is priced separately.

If you would like a formal quote, you can reach out to our team here.

Polished concrete floors: 5 benefits

1. In addition to being hypoallergenic, polished concrete floors are easy to clean.
With a polished concrete floor, dust, dirt, and debris are easily removed thanks to the smooth surface.

2. A polished concrete floor has a long life expectancy out of many materials
Because polished concrete flooring is so durable and sturdy, it is ideal for high traffic areas because it can withstand pressure from both foot and equipment usage. It is exceedingly challenging to damage due to its resilience.

3. The cost of polishing concrete is low
compared to other flooring options. It leaves a high quality finish on new and existing concrete and is cost-effective.

4. Easy maintenance is a benefit of polished concrete 

A minimal maintenance flooring option is polished concrete. When compared to flooring made of tiles, carpet, or wood, polished concrete is seamless, making vacuuming and mopping simple.

5. There will always be a place for polished concrete
Concrete that has been polished has been around for a while and will continue to be. It is a finish that blends well with a variety of interior and external finishes and materials and can be thought of as a blank slate for your living area.

Concrete slab polishing: what you need to know

It could come as a shock to you if this is your first time learning about polished concrete that not all concrete surfaces can be polished. It is essential to ascertain whether your concrete slab, whether new or old, is suitable to be polished before hiring a contractor, starting the polishing process, and before any surface preparation is done. This can be decided for you by a skilled polished concrete contractor. There are a number of reasons why polishing your concrete slab might not be the best option, including the color of the concrete, patchy aggregate, uneven concrete, and significant cracking.

There are alternatives to polished concrete, if it isn’t suitable for your concrete slab.

The look of polished concrete can still be achieved with other flooring options if your concrete slab is not suitable for polishing. These types of flooring are also referred to as “microcement” or “micro concrete,” or “seamless overlay systems.” Given that they are cement-based, these materials give the appearance of concrete, but because they are applied over an existing concrete slab, they conceal any inherent flaws in the slab and produce a seamless, polished concrete-looking floor finish. You can learn more about X-Bond, one of the most cutting-edge microcement products, here.