FAQ

Can any concrete floor be polished?

Almost any concrete floor. Floors which are saturated with oil, or are in environments where they will constantly be exposed to acids, are probably not ideal for a polished concrete floor system. Whether new construction or a 100-year-old slab, most concrete floors can benefit greatly from the aesthetic, durability, and longevity of polishing.


Is polishing concrete messy?

Mechanical, dry-grind polished concrete is a pretty clean process. With the dry-grind process, a vacuum system is used in conjunction with the grinder to contain 98% of the airborne particulates. The remainder of the dust is easily swept up. It also does not have the odor that is present from some coatings, like epoxy, or glues used in some other flooring applications.


How does the floor become so shiny?

Just as in the traditional polished stone applications applied to marble and granite, the surface of the concrete floor is ground using progressively finer grits to smooth and seal the surface. Instead of having a pitted surface that refracts light, the light reflects from off of the floor – THAT is what creates the shine of the surface. It is not a product, or sealer that makes the floor shine. It is the concrete itself reflecting light.


How do I maintain polished concrete?

Polished concrete is one of the easiest systems to maintain, and does not require aggressive cleaners or brushes to lift dirt away. Some concrete finishes require re-sealing, waxing or stripping and waxing. Polished concrete has no sealers or waxes. The reflective nature of these floors make maintenance quick and easy compared to the time and expense of stripping and applying new sealers and waxes.


How soon can I use the floor after the polishing?

A polished concrete floor can be walked on during the grind and polish process. There is no ‘cure’ time since it is a mechanical process.


Can the floor be brought back if it gets dull?

Yes, and the best thing about it is that will never be as involved as the original job and will only cost a fraction of the original job. VCT, Epoxy coatings cost the same if not more than the original project.


Why would I polish concrete instead of epoxy or another coating?

Unless a slab is going to be continually exposed to acid, oils, or corrosive materials, polished concrete will save a company in the long-run on its flooring costs. Coatings wear away from the surface and must be reapplied frequently to be maintained. Polished concrete has nothing on the surface so is unsurpassed in its ability to hold up to fork lifts, foot traffic, and wheeled carts. Its lifecycle exceeds almost all coatings, and has no VOCs. Moreover, operations do not need to be shut down for the installation of polished concrete, whereas coatings must be restricted from traffic until they have properly dried and cured.


Why would I use polished concrete instead of VCT?

Polished concrete is one of the most durable flooring system when compared with typical flooring finishes. VCT requires continuous stripping, waxing, and buffing to maintain its appearance. It also wears more quickly than polished concrete, and must be reinstalled at the same price as the initial installation. Polished concrete will retain its sheen with minimal maintenance, and should a re-polish ever become necessary, it can be done at a fraction of the original installation price and without shutting down your operations.


Are Concrete Floors Slippery?

Just because polished concrete is shiny doesn’t mean it is slippery. Testing has shown that polished concrete usually meets or exceeds OSHA standards (.50) for slip resistance on surfaces.


Can we clean the floor with just plain water?

Yes, however it is always best to use a neutral PH cleaner to suspend the dirt so it can be cleaned off the floor instead of spread around on the floor.


Can the floor be brought back to its original shine if it gets dull?

Yes, and it will never be as involved as the initial process. Normally it will only take a pass or two with resin steps to reach the end result desired. Which also means that it never cost as much as the original job, unlike epoxy coatings, urethane coatings or VCT which always cost the same or even more than the original job due to the labor required to remove the old surface.

Do You Know How Much Concrete Polishing Will Cost You?