How Are Polished Concrete Floors Made?

Polished concrete is a superb way to create an interior that is stylish and elegant as well as being hardwearing. Polished concrete is an innovative material and we love to use it to help our customers enhance their homes.

Polished concrete is polished to bring out its full potential. The polished finish can be used on its own or in combination with other finishes for a truly stunning effect. Polished concrete floors are perfect for use throughout the home, including kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms as well as being ideal for commercial uses such as restaurants, cafes and shops.

Concrete floors are polished to give them a shiny finish. A polished concrete floor can be made using different techniques and equipment such as diamond grinding, micro finishing and polishing pads. Concrete is polished with sharp-edged tools or abrasive materials for this purpose. The method of choice depends on the desired result and space available for work.

The simplest, and least expensive method of manufacture is the “grind and seal” process. The concrete is worked to a smooth surface, which is then sealed with a reflective compound to create a glossy surface.

Another method is to create the polished finish by using a chemical hardener such as lithium silicate. This chemical works to penetrate the pores of the concrete so that it becomes denser. This denser material can then be polished to a super smooth finish, using an ever finer material – a bit like sanding wood. A sealant can also be applied, to increase durability.

You can! Polished concrete is such a versatile material that you can create a wide range of looks to complement the rest of your design. At McCoy Concreting, we can advise on which combination of aggregates of colours you could use and what effects you can create. It’s possible to make a material that echoes the appearance of stone or ceramics, and you can even add relief style patterns to the surface.

Why Is Polished Concrete So Popular?

As well as looking great, polished concrete is really easy to look after. It’s easy to clean, and unlike more delicate surfaces like wood or vinyl, it’s very difficult to damage. If any small cracks do appear – perhaps because of building movement or moisture ingress – then a simple patching process will solve the problem.

Polished concrete also offers a green solution for many home renovation projects. Choosing polished concrete means you can re-use the existing floor slab, plus it’s a superb temperature regulator, keeping your home warm in winter and cool over the summer months. Of course, this has to be balanced against the higher carbon footprint of the material, but when considered alongside the durability and longevity of other materials it can be seen as a genuinely environmentally responsible solution.

This longevity also means that polished concrete is a remarkably economical choice for any flooring. It will look great for years, and the ease of repair means you can be confident your polished concrete floor will be a beautiful part of your home for many years to come. The combination of timeless style and supreme durability makes this a sound choice for the style-conscious homeowner.

Get In Touch

Polishing concrete floors is an arduous process that requires expertise, especially when it comes to applying polished concrete coatings or impregnations as part of refurbishment work.

To discover more about polished concrete and how it can be used to enhance your home, just get in touch with our friendly team. You can call us on 0438 272 749, drop us an email daniel@mccoyconcreting.com.au or complete our <a href="https://www.mccoyconcreting.com.au/contact">contact form</a>.