Polished concrete floors offer a number of advantages over conventional concrete floors and other industrial flooring systems. One of the most notable advantages is longevity. When properly installed and maintained by experts, polished concrete floors can last decades.
How Polished Concrete Works
Conventional concrete is a naturally porous material. Moisture, dirt, and debris can all penetrate the surface of concrete floors, leading to premature wear, tear, cracks, damage, and staining. When that happens, concrete requires more extensive repairs, maintenance, or even replacement.
The concrete polishing process fundamentally transforms porous concrete into a virtually nonporous surface, significantly extending the service life and longevity of the material. Whether dealing with existing concrete floors or freshly poured concrete, the steps of the process are fundamentally the same:
1. Surface Preparation
First, the surface needs to be prepped. For fresh concrete, prep work is minimal. However, for existing floors, pre-existing cracks, holes, chips, and sunken areas often require repair before polishing.
2. Grinding and Honing
With the surface prepped, concrete grinding and honing begin to provide a fresh, even surface to polish. The scope of the work is primarily dictated by the final look you want to achieve.
3. Concrete Hardening
After the concrete has been honed down to meet project requirements, chemical hardeners are applied to reinforce and densify the concrete floor surface while preparing it for final polishing.
4. Final Polishing
After the chemical hardeners have cured, final polishing begins. Again, the scope of the work is largely decided by the shine and flooring qualities you want. Concrete stains can also be applied during polishing.
Polished Concrete Floor Lifespans
Because concrete polishing takes an already durable, but porous, material and reduces the porosity of the flooring surface, polished concrete lasts significantly longer than conventional concrete flooring systems. Many conventional concrete flooring systems begin showing signs of age, chipping, fracturing, or cracking within five years or fewer depending on the application.
With professional concrete installation, a proactive polished concrete floor maintenance plan, and occasional deep cleaning, a polished concrete flooring system can last 20 years or more with minimal hassle. Already have polished concrete floors? Follow these polished concrete do’s and don’ts to maximize the longevity of polished concrete floors.
Why Choose a Polished Concrete Flooring System?
While other types of industrial flooring systems like epoxy floors and urethane cement are better suited to more rigorous industrial environments, polished concrete floors merge durability with a refined finish that cannot be matched by any other material. Polished concrete floors also minimize maintenance and can be customized with a variety of staining and finishing options for a unique look. Lastly, polished concrete offers a cost-effective flooring option for a wide range of industrial applications because you can specify shine, slip coefficients, and finish based on your specifications.
Can You Polish Damaged Concrete Floors?
If you already have damaged concrete floors, you may be wondering if polishing them can bring them back to life. As mentioned above, damaged concrete floors may require repairs prior to polishing. Fortunately, minor chips, cracks, and surface damage often can be repaired, making polished concrete floors a viable opportunity to save significant money instead of replacing floors prematurely.
However, for concrete flooring systems that have sustained substantial damage down to the subfloor, the best option is usually a fresh start with new concrete before polishing.
Can All Concrete Floors Be Polished?
Given the requisite level of structural integrity, virtually any concrete floor surface can be polished to provide a shining, durable, easy-to-maintain surface for a wide range of applications.
Find the Right Polished Concrete Floor Supplier
How long do polished concrete floors last? The short answer is two decades or more, but to maximize longevity, you have to find the right polished concrete floor supplier and installer. Whether concrete or epoxy, industrial flooring systems last longer when they’re designed and installed by experts. If you’re ready to begin your next project, contact the experts at Ardor Solutions to schedule a free project needs assessment.
