Concrete polishing is without a doubt the most
significant flooring alternative of the last 30 years. It is a process by which
the surface of the concrete is ground and polished using a penetrating hardener
to yield a surface that exhibits reflectivity and increased abrasion resistance.
Say What? Basically it shines like crazy, is permanent and all you have to do is
wash it with water to maintain it. The maintenance and aesthetic benefits
of polished concrete make it an ideal replacement for conventional flooring
options. The floors that used to be covered in VCT, epoxy and decorative sealed
concrete can now be replaced with a flooring finish that not only looks good,
but is easier and less costly to maintain; this means the floor will serve the
owners needs on the basis of functionality as well as cost less to do business
on. The durability and economical aspects aside, a polished concrete surface
can be enhanced using decorative dyes, stains, stencils, scoring, etc. to make
each floor a unique expression of the business that uses the floor.
The choice to
install a polished concrete floor holds many benefits for the owner, but usually
the most important benefit is what it costs to maintain. Most polished concrete
floors save an owner an average of over a $1 per square foot per year in
maintenance. This cost savings is realized in less wear and tear on cleaning
equipment, costly chemicals, and periodic patching/replacement of traditional
flooring finishes. Lastly, polished concrete is a permanent finish; the owner
realizes the cost savings of a polished concrete floor when the floor is at an
age that traditional floor finishes would have to be replaced.
Another
benefit of polished concrete is its decorative versatility. Polished concrete
can be combined with integral colored concrete and/or decorative dyes to yield
an appearance that compliments or establishes any color scheme. This benefit
allows polished concrete to be entertained by architects and designers for use
in retail sales areas and anywhere else the aesthetics of the floor finish
outweigh its maintenance requirements.
The final benefit of concrete polishing is the
fact that its installation does not create noxious odors or require a minimum
cure time before it can be put back into service. With the advent of dustless
grinding systems and odorless, non-toxic chemicals, the polishing process can be
completed with minimal interruption to business. This means the process can be
completed while adjacent business operations or construction build-out takes
place.Overall,
concrete polishing is a flooring finish option that more and more businesses are
choosing for their most heavily trafficked surface because of its durability and
appearance. Looking for tile maintenance
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