Polished Concrete

Concrete polishing has the ability to transform a dull surface into a beautiful work of art. My Polished concrete is stain-resistant, long-lasting, and has a slew of other advantages! Polished Concrete is the place to go if you want the best-polished concrete. We offer high-end polished concrete services, and the surrounding areas. You might be curious as to what polished concrete is and how it is made. Let’s break it down for you! We pride ourselves on being an educational resource for our clients, so let’s get started!

What Is Polished Concrete,
And How Does It Work?

Concrete is one of the oldest building materials known to mankind. Its beginnings can be traced back to 5600 B.C.! It’s just a simple sand, gravel, and cement mix. It’s so popular because there’s so much of it. While standard concrete is practical and has a wide range of applications, it isn’t particularly appealing as a flooring material. Regular concrete is prone to chipping, staining, cracking, and deterioration. It also has a limited range of artistic possibilities.

We can now polish your concrete in a variety of ways thanks to recent innovations. The first few layers of the slab are ground down for polished concrete. This reveals the stone/aggregate beneath the surface. We can then densify and polish the concrete or apply topical concrete coatings, depending on the customer’s preferences. Colored dyes and decorative concrete cutting are also options. The end result is a gleaming, impact-resistant, and attractive surface. It’s a fashionable look that’s simple to maintain and will last for years.

Polished concrete is a popular choice in high-end hotels, opulent homes, and trendy cafes. This is because floors add a lot of architectural interest to any room! A stunning, one-of-a-kind floor with a brilliant design can do wonders for a company. It immediately conveys to your customer that your business is tidy and professional!

Polished Concrete Process

You’ll appreciate how simple it is to work with My Floor. We have a comprehensive polishing process with a variety of exciting options for you to consider. Before we get into the details, let’s take a look at our overall process. The following is a simple breakdown:

Grinding the Concrete.

To expose the aggregate, we begin by grinding the concrete slabs with our concrete grinding machine equipped with 16 or 30 grit diamonds. To achieve a nil stone exposure, minimal stone exposure, or maximum stone exposure, different aggregate exposure can be selected. Following that, we can increase the diamond grit size based on your desired finish. This will get rid of all the scratches and flaws on the surface.
Grouting the Concrete.

All concrete will have cracks; however, we can repair cracks and fill holes in the concrete using our specially designed grouting process.  
Sealing the Concrete.

At this point, you have the option of applying a Grind and Seal concrete coating to internal areas or mechanically polishing the concrete as described below. We can use a penetrating sealer or an anti-slip concrete coating to seal external areas.
Polishing the Concrete.

A 50-grit diamond resin pad is used to begin polishing. We’ll gradually increase the number of pads based on your preference for gloss.
Hardening the Concrete.

Densifiers are used during the polishing process to increase durability. We can increase the density of the surface by a factor of ten! It also prevents the accumulation of contaminants over time.
Dyeing the Concrete.

We have 25 different dye options to choose from if you want to add colour to your surface! We can spray your colours multiple times if you want them to be more vibrant. The right colour can transform your space and add extra atmosphere.
Cutting with a Decorative Edge.

Do you want to make your floors stand out with vibrant shapes and patterns? It’s no problem! Any type of print or design can be added by our professional team.

Determine the Exposure
of Your Polished Concrete Aggregate

 Choosing your aggregate exposure simply refers to how much of the concrete slab we grind down for you. Consider the following example: the concrete’s top surface is smooth. A layer beneath it has a sliver of stone exposed. The more layers you go through, the more stone and aggregate you’ll see. Here are the various levels from which to choose:

Burnished Concrete With No Aggregate Exposure.

This is the option that exposes you the least. It’s a sought-after look that can be difficult to achieve. That’s because the existing concrete’s conditions must be exact in order for it to look right. Before we polish the concrete, you’ll need a very flat, even surface. No matter where it is, a nil or burnished exposure is smooth, shiny, and a joy to look at.

‘Salt and Pepper’/Minimal Aggregate Exposure.

The second option is to expose a very small amount of stone. Many people compare it to the difference between salt and pepper. We grind off the top 1-2 millimeters of the concrete slab to achieve this look. Some areas may have no exposure while others may have a lot, depending on where the aggregate is placed. It’s a popular look for homes, garages, restaurants, and workplaces with an industrial feel. It’s also the most cost-effective option because it’s the easiest to achieve exposure.

Full Stone Exposure.

This is the most popular finish among our customers. This is because it allows as much stone and aggregate to show through as possible. It’s a popular look in homes, showrooms, and restaurants because it’s very decorative. We grind about 3-5 millimeters deep into the concrete slab as a rule of thumb. Complications may arise if we go any further.

Choose a Polished Concrete Finish

The next step is to choose your polished concrete finish. There are several options to consider, so let’s take a look at each one individually. You’ll be able to get a realistic sense of the advantages of each option this way.

Mechanical Polished Concrete

Mechanically polished concrete is only recommended for indoor surfaces. This is due to the fact that when wet, this finish becomes slick. It also struggles with liquids pooling on the body for long periods of time. Mechanical polishing, on the other hand, shines brightly as an indoor option. It’s stain-resistant, reflects ambient light, is easy to clean, and so much more! It also does not necessitate the use of a topical concrete coating. It’s the concrete itself, you see, that shines! As a result, it requires far less upkeep than other options.

Hone and Seal

Concrete that has been honed is ideal for high-traffic outdoor areas. Driveways, footpaths, porches, and other structures are among them. The main disadvantage of honed concrete is that it only comes in a matte finish. The seal, on the other hand, absorbs into the concrete rather than remaining on the surface. As a result, honed concrete is a more long-lasting option for non-slip polished concrete in outdoor areas.

Grind and Seal

This is a fantastic choice for both internal and external areas. This is due to its superior slip resistance, which prevents liquids from pooling over time. It entails removing the top layers of the concrete slab and finishing it with a topical coating. Unlike mechanically polished concrete, the coating, not the concrete, is what shines. As a result, re-coating will be required every 3 to 10 years. Despite this, it’s still a great outdoor/indoor option with a lot of customization options.

Burnished and Polished Concrete

There is no aggregate exposed at all in this concrete. It’s completely polished and smooth. You can’t choose your level of exposure because there isn’t an aggregate. If you want a smooth, shiny surface that shows off the natural characteristics of concrete, burnished is a great choice.

Choose From a Variety
of Polished Concrete Gloss Levels

Finally, you’ll need to choose a gloss finish. There are three possibilities. Let’s look at the benefits of each one separately.

Polished Concrete with a Matte Finish

This is a more industrial/natural look that can be found in both commercial and residential flooring. It’s a low-maintenance option that will last for years to come. A matte finish also hides dust better than a glossy finish. This means you won’t have to be as thorough with your cleaning. This is a great option for businesses that want a clean, smooth floor without having to spend a lot of time maintaining it.

Polished Concrete with a Satin Finish

This results in a low-sheen, attractive, and easy-to-maintain finish. It’s a great choice for warehouses, factories, airport hangers, and other businesses. It has a shine that is somewhere between matte and semi-gloss.

Polished Concrete with a Semi-gloss Finish

This is a popular option because it combines the best of both worlds. It’s still low-maintenance, but it’s gleaming and dazzling. Dust and dirt will be difficult to see, and there will be a lot of ambient light reflection. That means you won’t have to spend as much money on electricity to keep your store or home lit!

Polished Concrete with a High-gloss Finish

This is for clients who want their floors to have a real wow factor. It produces truly stunning reflections that are sure to catch people’s attention. High-end homes, hotels, showrooms, and posh offices all use this option.

You should now have a thorough understanding of how Polished Concrete’s process works. Give us a call if you’re looking for the best polished concrete to offer! Please call us today for a free estimate on your polished concrete project!

Our Expert Polished Concrete Flooring and Epoxy Coating Consultants are ready to answer your questions​

About Us

We’re My Polished Concrete, a privately owned concrete grinding, and polishing company. We’ve been in operation since 2009, and we boast a combined industry experience of over 40 years. Our professional services are highly refined, and quality assured to perfection. In particular, we serve residential, commercial, and industrial clients