Concrete Polishing
Looking for a high-gloss concrete finish that lasts? Polished concrete is the premier choice for those seeking a durable, no-wax flooring solution. Our concrete polishing contractors utilize industrial-grade floor grinding equipment to restore old surfaces or finish new pours with a stunning, high-lustre shine.
Beyond its visual appeal, the performance of concrete makes it ideal for commercial warehouse flooring, busy retail outlets, and sleek residential interiors. Experience the durability of polished concrete—a sustainable flooring option that eliminates the need for messy waxes or coatings.
WHAT IS POLISHED CONCRETE?
Polished concrete is a multi-step process where a concrete floor is mechanically ground, honed, and polished with bonded abrasives to cut the surface. It is then refined with each progressive step to achieve a specified level of appearance, ranging from a matte finish to a high-gloss shine.
It is often compared to sanding wood; you start with coarse grits to level the surface and move to finer grits to create smoothness and luster.
WHERE CAN POLISHED CONCRETE BE USED?
The most common places polished concrete is used include:
Large warehouses and warehouse outlets
Retail stores
Hotels and restaurants
Office buildings
Auto showrooms
Private residences
BENEFITS OF POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORING
Homeowners, retailers, big-box stores, educational and medical facilities are choosing polished concrete for their floor finish because of the competitive advantage polished flooring offers over other types of floor coverings. Decorative concrete in the form of polished floors has become the logical choice because of the great value it delivers, and because it can compete aesthetically as well.
Residential Benefits:
Cost savings: Traditional floor covering materials are not necessary when the slab on grade is used as the finished floor surface
Longer life-cycle savings: Polished floors are not as vulnerable to damage as other materials and do not need replacing
Easy to clean: Won’t harbor dust, dirt, allergens
Available in wide variety of colours and designs
Commercial and Retail Benefits:
Savings: Using the slab on grade as the finished floor surface is more cost effective, maintenance costs are lower.
More resistant to high foot traffic. A grocer in Tennessee explains that he is able to maintain primarily just the traffic ways within his store, which saves time and money because he does not have to move large display cases to wax and strip the floor.
Less maintenance and longer service life: Polished floors are easy to clean, requiring only occasional damp mopping. They also eliminate the need for messy waxes or coatings as well as the associated labour, time, and expense to apply them. The glossy surface of polished concrete resists the marks of forklift truck tires and staining from oil and chemical spills.
Resistant to moisture transmission issues: Polished concrete allows the floor to breathe and eliminates issues that arise with other flooring materials that seal off the concrete, such as tile, etc.
High light reflectivity: Important for office building floors, hotels, restaurants, and other public facilities that want to project a bright, clean, professional image. Also saves energy by reducing artificial lighting requirements.
Is a sustainable flooring alternative: Polished concrete does not require hazardous coatings, cleaners or adhesives.
CAN ALL CONCRETE BE POLISHED?
Almost any structurally sound concrete floor, whether old or new, can be polished with proper preparation. However, there are some exceptions. See how to determine your floor’s suitability for polishing.
STEPS OF THE CONCRETE POLISHING PROCESS
Transforming a dull slab into a high-gloss, durable masterpiece requires a precise, multi-stage mechanical process. Whether for residential lofts or industrial warehouses, the concrete polishing process follows these essential steps to ensure a professional finish.
1. Surface Inspection and Preparation
Before the grinding begins, the slab must be evaluated. This stage involves:
Hardness Testing: Using a Mohs scale pick to determine the concrete’s hardness (this dictates which diamond segments to use).
Repairing Cracks: Filling joints and cracks with an epoxy or semi-rigid filler to ensure a seamless surface.
Cleaning: Removing existing coatings, adhesives, or grease.
2. Initial Grinding (Coarse Grits)
The goal here is “leveling.” Using a heavy-duty planetary grinder equipped with metal-bond diamond abrasives, we remove minor pits, blemishes, and old coatings.
Typical Grits: 16, 30, or 70 grit.
Outcome: A flat, uniform surface ready for refining.
3. Honing (Medium Grits)
Once the floor is level, we transition to the honing phase. This step closes the pores of the concrete and begins to bring out a matte sheen.
Typical Grits: 120 to 400 grit.
Chemical Application: During this phase, a liquid chemical densifier is applied.
Why use a densifier? > It penetrates the concrete to create a chemical reaction (forming calcium silicate hydrate), making the surface significantly harder and more dust-proof.
4. Polishing (Fine Grits)
This is where the magic happens. We switch from metal-bond to resin-bond diamond pads. These pads are softer and designed to polish rather than grind.
Level 1 (Satin): 800 grit.
Level 2 (High Gloss): 1,500 to 3,000 grit.
The Result: A mirror-like reflection that maximizes light reflectivity and aesthetic appeal.
5. Sealing and Burnishing
To protect your investment, a “guard” or stain protector is applied.
Application: The sealer is spread thinly and allowed to dry.
High-Speed Burnishing: A high-speed propane or electric burnisher is used to heat the sealer, curing it into the pores for ultimate shine and spill resistance.