Polished concrete floors are floors that go through a multi-step process, usually sanded, finished and polished with a resin-bonded diamond. Invented about 15 years ago, this technology has recently gained popularity as a minimalist and futuristic alternative to traditional flooring.
Another factor in the popularity of polished concrete is its maintenance. Polished concrete floors are known to be easy to maintain and require minimal cleaning. Polished concrete is impervious to water and rarely wears or scratches.
This growth trend for polished concrete is likely to continue into the next decade as sustainable, low-maintenance flooring becomes the industry standard.
There are many creative possibilities for polished concrete floors, as they can be textured, stained, contrasted, and even sanded into polished aggregate for a decorative finish. Some people prefer to stick with natural gray, but polished concrete looks equally good in black or white, as well as other lighter pastels.
This is a huge benefit of polished concrete as it creates a neutral look, which gives interior designers creative freedom to choose color, style, and decorative texture. For examples of polished concrete floors used in contemporary design, check out this list of beautiful Brutalist home interiors.
Polished concrete is available in several finishes, grades 1-3. The most popular form of polished concrete is grade 2.
A testament to the versatility of polished concrete, these different layers provide flexibility in home design. The neutral polished concrete has an industrial elegance (especially at level 2) and the retention of the subdued gray means the floor complements most furniture and decor options.
How to clean: Polished concrete is best cleaned with a mop. Depending on the home, routine maintenance may include dusting.
Polished concrete can also be made from any structurally intact concrete floor or existing concrete slab, which can save a lot of money on new concrete. For a leading Australian company with a proven track record in polished concrete, look for Covet or Pro Grind.
Polished concrete is often mistaken for polished concrete because the processes look the same. Both are mechanized, but the main difference between polished and polished concrete is that concrete polishes are not as effective as the diamond-bonded abrasives used to polish concrete. This means that instead of grinding the concrete itself, the polisher is used to prepare, melt and polish a chemical coating that penetrates the fine pores of the concrete. Then seal the surface to prevent stains/liquids.
Polished concrete is the cheapest form of concrete flooring, but it’s also very finicky and difficult to make yourself. The main reason for this is that if the concrete is not perfectly poured, the floor can deform during the polishing process.
Sanded concrete goes through the same process as polished concrete, i.e. priming the concrete surface, except that instead of a chemical curing/compacting process that results in polished concrete, a local sealant is applied to the surface of the polished concrete. This means that polished concrete needs to be resealed every 3-7 years as the sealant wears out, unlike polished concrete.
So polished concrete is a complex cost analysis; its initial installation is much cheaper than polished concrete, but the maintenance cost makes polished concrete the cheapest option in the long run. However, polished concrete can reduce slippage and outperform polished concrete outdoors.
Considering the pros and cons of polished concrete floors, you might want to look elsewhere. For those looking to avoid the expense of polished concrete floors, tiles that mimic the look and feel of polished concrete can be purchased for a much lower price. Tiles are also durable and can usually withstand the same level of wear and tear as polished concrete. Tiles are less affected by temperature changes, which reduces the risk of cracking, meaning they are less likely to absorb heat in winter.
However, tiles are more expensive than polished concrete. One of the main advantages of polished concrete is that, unlike tiles, it does not have grout and therefore does not require much maintenance. Tiles are also more prone to chipping or cracking due to blunt force impact, and polished concrete is usually strong enough to withstand impact.
While do-it-yourself concrete polishing may seem easy, many websites may recommend renting concrete polishing equipment from a local store, such as an epoxy drum, and there is some controversy over whether concrete polishing should be left to experienced contractors.
The learning curve is steep and it’s unlikely that a homemade concrete project will be as smooth as it gets. Generally speaking, polishing concrete is a difficult job that is unlikely to be perfect if done by a beginner. However, if you’re into DIY, have some concrete laying experience, and don’t particularly mind that the finished floor looks a little different than your plans, one of these types of concrete might work for you.
Mechanically polished concrete is not recommended for outdoor use as it can become wet and slippery. However, less slippery ground or polished concrete creates a stylish, modern and functional flooring option that will stand the test of time. The price per square meter is usually over $80. See Pro Grind for a more accurate cost estimate.
Similarly, polished concrete is at risk due to low slip resistance outdoors, in conditions of heavy contact with water. Sanded concrete has the best Australian standard slip resistance rating and there are many other benefits of using sanded concrete around pools. Open fill adds an artistic element, low maintenance / very easy to clean, oil resistant and extremely long life. To learn more about the possibilities of concrete, contact a Terrastone architectural concrete specialist.
Concrete and tile floors have many advantages and disadvantages. Durability, water resistance and ease of maintenance provide a durable shell for polished or ground concrete in the bathroom. This is also a valid financial option and can be flexible as needed (e.g. concrete grade, aggregate visibility, color staining/stamping).
However, the previous disadvantages remain: depending on the surface finish, concrete can be slippery when wet. This makes concrete grinding or other forms of surface treatment a safer and more economical option. Depending on the condition of the bathroom (e.g. if there is a shower, concrete may be ideal as the risk of water skiing is greatly reduced), polished concrete may be ideal.
Driveways are great for polished concrete. This is because polished concrete has the strength and durability to support the weight of a vehicle (mobile and stationary) without wear and tear. It is easy to care for and will add an industrial romantic touch to your driveway. The structural integrity of concrete and its ability to withstand the elements make it a strong contender – perhaps even superior to the more popular gravel option, which is easily washed away by heavy rain.
Higher aggregate exposure is a good idea for polished concrete driveways, as this will increase wheel traction and prevent slippage. However, one disadvantage of polished concrete discs can be the possibility of cracking in the future.
Polished concrete floors are mainly used in high traffic industrial areas such as shopping malls, offices, grocery stores, etc. This is because it withstands wear and tear more effectively than most other flooring options.
However, the properties that make polished concrete so attractive for commercial use make it such a smart choice for residential homes. Residential polished concrete will last decades longer than industrial concrete due to fewer pedestrians. It also requires less maintenance and is less likely to crack under low load and controlled home temperatures.
Perhaps the most daring and dramatic spot for polished concrete is the bedroom. Polished concrete floors defy the assumption that bedrooms should be padded or carpeted—and for practical reasons.
Polished concrete reduces common allergens in bedrooms and is easier to keep clean than carpet. Best of all, they are scratch resistant, making them ideal floors for pet-friendly homes. Given the low risk of floor flooding, slipping is less of a problem (although anti-slip treatment can still be a good idea). Finally, polished concrete is a more economical option than flooring with a similar visual effect, such as marble or slate, only at a much higher cost.
A potential problem with polished concrete in bedrooms is that concrete doesn’t regulate temperature well and can be cold to walk on in winter. This problem can be solved by installing hydraulic underfloor heating under the concrete, which evenly distributes heat over the floor of the room. Policrete is a construction company based in Melbourne. Here you will find additional information and the opportunity to purchase the recirculation heating service.
Subscribe to receive all news, reviews, resources, reviews and opinions about architecture and design straight to your inbox.
Post time: Nov-14-2022
