Polished concrete is fast becoming a popular choice for commercial applications, apart from the unique and authentic beauty of professionally polished concrete, there are other more practical benefits, including the environment; polished concrete scores very high in LEED developments. In addition the savings on maintaining a polished concrete floor over time compared to other typical commercial applications like V.C. tile and sheet goods is significant.Polished concrete floors should last in excess of ten years before the wear surface requires re-polishing by a professional. However, the correct cleaning is important. We ensure our clients and their cleaning contractors receive full training on how to maintain polished concrete.
Not all concrete is a suitable candidate for polishing, it is important the floor is thoroughly checked and accurately assessed before any decision is made. We have many years of experience in polishing concrete, and an extensive array of equipment. This process is now virtually dust free thanks to the Hepa Filters in our vacuum systems.
Grinding and Polishing
Polished concrete is fast becoming the ultimate solution for commercial flooring, and a popular choice for residential use as well. In addition to being intinsically beautiful, it wears well and offers the advantage of requiring minimal time and material to maintain a great no-wax alternative. Polished concrete floors can last up to ten years before the surface requires refinishing.
Green Buildings and Leed Certification Building teams throughout North America are realizing a rapid movement toward green buildings. Sustainable 'Green' or High Performance building design strategies are desireable; they can cut long-term energy needs and improve indoor environment quality. Polished concrete as a permanent floor finish is an economical and ashetically pleasing element. Concrete surface treatments have many sustainable attributes.
In general terms, building teams can gain points towards 'Leed Certification' fron the U.S. Green Building Council. For a building project with concrete floor systems. Due to proprietry application treatments from Diamond polished Floor Ltd. these polished concrete floors are a cost-effective alternative to terrazzo, vinyl, carpet, tile and other floor surface finishes.
For these reasons and also because of the variety of decorative alternatives that we can now incorporate into concrete, architects and designers are choosing this alternative more frequently than ever for retail, warehouse, and office facilities.
Exposed aggregate
The aggregate material used in concrete can be exceptionally beautiful, and many designers choose to have it exposed for decorative effect. We accomplish this by polishing to a deeper level in the concrete surface. This does not have any impact on the strength of the floor, it simply removes a fraction more of the surface.
Cut Lines
Cut lines add another demension to polished concrete floors and add that finishing touch to the final look of the floor. simulate flag stones and look very attractive. They can also be used to create an aesthetically pleasing break between two different concrete finishes.
Staines
To further enhance the look of polished concrete we can introduce a stain to tint the color of the concrete.
Diatech Stain Samples
Blue Hawaii Blue Majesty Cayman Green
Purple Rain Obsidian Raisin
Merlot Coffee Bean Ripe Cherry
Sequoai Sunset Terracotta Orchid
Chicago BrickDensifier
Towards the end of the polishing process we densify the floor twice. This process increases the hardness of the wear surface by two to three times its original strength. The densifier is worked into the surface (spalls) of the concrete, which then cures and returns to a glass like state. Densifier is also used as one of the final stages to lock in colorants, if used.
We continue to hone the floor after the densifying process which enables us to create a better shine; the floor also becomes less porous as a result.
Impregnator
The last process is to impregnate the floor. This is a transparent treatment that is water and oil resistant, it impregnates the surface of the concrete and seals it rendering the floor water and oil resistant.
Maintenance
Although professionally finished polished concrete floors last in excess of ten years, the highly reflective shine can be lost prematurely if the floor is not maintained correctly. There are two main culprets; the ongoing presents of dirt and debris and the various methods used to remove the dirt. Under foot, under a shopping cart, under a pallet jack or a fork lift truck dirt and debris acts as an abrasive material that will grind the surface of the concrete resulting in a dull appearance.
Typical floor cleaning products that contain: acids; high pH levels, alkalis or caustic chemicals etch into the surface of the concrete causing irreversable damage that can only be rectified by a polished concrete professional. The correct polished concrete soaps include a surfactant which reduces the surface tension of the liquid causing the dirt to lift from the fine pores of the polished suface.
A thickly milled nylon brush or a stripping or scrubbing pad used regularly by a cleaning contractors are too harsh for polished concrete. Dirt and debris becomes embedded in the pads resulting in the pads becoming abrasive discs which scratch and quickly flatten the original shine and luster of the floor.
