Concrete Polishing
What Are Grind and Sealed Concrete Floors?
What Are Grind and Sealed Concrete Floors?
The process involves grinding the concrete with engineered concrete floor surface grinders to remove any contaminants from the existing slab.
Next, cracks and divots in the floor are patched with patching material as necessary.
Depending on your floor goals (i.e. desired finish and durability requirements), the concrete may be ground again with finer diamonds to further smooth the floor. If the concrete is soft, porous or free of contaminants, a second pass may not be necessary.
Afterwards, the surface is properly cleaned.
If desired, at this step a stain colour can be added to your grind and seal concrete project. Choose from a wide variety of colours, from neutral, earth tones to colourful concrete dyes.
Lastly, your sealed concrete floor is sealed with a topical sealer. Depending on your floor goals, requirements, and your space, your concrete flooring company will recommend the best type of sealer for your project. Softer, more porous concrete may require multiple additional coats of sealer. This is common in residential settings.
Here are the steps for grind and seal concrete:
The process involves grinding the concrete with engineered concrete floor surface grinders to remove any contaminants from the existing slab.
Next, cracks and divots in the floor are patched with patching material as necessary.
Depending on your floor goals (i.e. desired finish and durability requirements), the concrete may be ground again with finer diamonds to further smooth the floor. If the concrete is soft, porous or free of contaminants, a second pass may not be necessary.
Afterwards, the surface is properly cleaned.
If desired, at this step a stain colour can be added to your grind and seal concrete project. Choose from a wide variety of colours, from neutral, earth tones to colourful concrete dyes.
Lastly, your sealed concrete floor is sealed with a topical sealer. Depending on your floor goals, requirements, and your space, your concrete flooring company will recommend the best type of sealer for your project. Softer, more porous concrete may require multiple additional coats of sealer. This is common in residential settings.
POLISHED CONCRETE V’s GRIND AND SEALED CONCRETE
Appearance
While polished and sealed concrete can look nearly identical, they differ significantly in application, durability, and cost.
Appearance and Process
Polished Concrete: Achieves shine through mechanical grinding with increasingly fine diamond abrasives (Levels 1–4). The final look depends on the unique characteristics and hardness of the specific concrete slab.
Sealed Concrete (Grind and Seal): Achieves its finish through a topical sealer. This provides a more consistent look across different areas since the sealer acts as a uniform coating regardless of the concrete’s profile.
Staining: Both systems can be “stained” to add color, so it is vital to clarify which mechanical process is being used when requesting stained floors.
| Feature | Polished Concrete | Selaed Concrete (Grind/Seal |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | High-traffic areas (forklifts, heavy foot traffic). | Areas prone to spills (restrooms, kitchens). |
| Maintenance | Minimal; lasts decades. | Requires resealing (often annually). |
| Resistance | Scratch-resistant and dust-proof. | Chemical-resistant; protects against oils/acid. |
Cost Comparison
Polished Concrete: More labor-intensive and has a higher upfront cost.
Sealed Concrete: A more budget-friendly alternative that provides a similar aesthetic.
Pro-Tip: Many commercial spaces use a hybrid approach—polished concrete in main areas for longevity and sealed concrete in restrooms for chemical protection.