In an effort to clear any confusion about the benefits of polished concrete, Substrate Technology Inc. has compiled a list of frequently asked questions. If you don't get your questions answered by the below, we welcome any new questions you might have to better build our database of responses.
Why would I polish concrete instead of coat it with a high quality sealer or epoxy?
Depending on the specific uses of a floor, coatings may be a better finish in the long-run. Polished concrete is a treatment to make the concrete surface more abrasion and stain resistant. However, it should never be confused with a coating in that it is still prone to staining and etching if exposed to oil or acids; even mild acids like soda or orange juice will etch polished concrete. Polished concrete can be used on projects that need to withstand foot and/or wheeled traffic, will be washed regularly, not intended to resist stains and not intended to handle acid attack. If the preceding criteria are met, then a polished concrete surface is the perfect choice for long term durability and beauty. Typical applications include airplane hangars, schools, manufacturing businesses, distribution warehouses, parking structures, retail locations, airports, convention halls and residential slabs.
How often does a polished concrete surface need to be washed?
Typically once a week is all that is required to maintain a polished concrete slab. An auto scrubber works best for this, but smaller areas can be done with a mop and wet vac. For cleaning solutions/products, there are none. The owner only has to use water to maintain a polished concrete surface.
What is the long term benefits of polished concrete?
Polished concrete is the most durable flooring system when compared with typical flooring finishes. It requires very little maintenance which basically amounts to weekly washings with an auto scrubber and water. When compared to other flooring finishes, their respective maintenance schedules and serviceable life spans polished concrete is the cheapest flooring system to own. Another benefit of polished concrete is that the maintenance of the floor will not harm the environment with harsh chemical or wax residues. Since the floors only need to be washed with water, the waste can go directly into a sanitary drain without any soap or chemical residuals.
For instance, VCT (vinyl composition tile) requires regular waxing, buffing and stripping to keep it looking good. The cost of labor combined with chemicals usually costs the owner an average of $1 per square foot/per year. Then after 10 years, the floor starts to show it's age and needs to be replaced. This cost could easily be double the original installation cost. Concrete polishing requires only auto scrubbing weekly; forever.
The same is true of epoxies and carpeting; regular, costly maintenance with a relatively short life-cycle when compared to polished concrete.
What makes polished concrete so durable?
The polishing process by itself does very little to contribute to the longevity of the flooring finish unless a densifier is used. A densifier is a chemically reactive product that reacts with compounds present in all concrete slabs. The densifier is typically a Silicate solution that is carried by Lithium, Potassium or Sodium and applied by sprayer or broom during the polishing process. The chemistry of the reaction that takes place is detailed, but the most important fact to note is that the chemical reaction creates a 'skin' of sorts on the concrete that is very abrasive resistant and is the sole reason a polished concrete slab retains its shine.
Is polished concrete expensive?
The initial procedure of polishing concrete is typically greater than conventional flooring finishes. To provide a polished concrete floor, contractors must own expensive and specialized pieces of equipment. This combined with the vast experience a qualified contractor should have makes the owning and operating of a polishing business very expensive. However, when judging whether to own a polished concrete floor, an owner/architect needs to gauge the cost of the flooring over the building's life span and the day-to-day operating costs that are incurred for regular maintenance. In almost all cases, polished concrete is the cheapest floor to own.
Can a polished concrete slab be colored?
Polished concrete can be colored using dyes or new slabs can be poured with integral color and then polished. The result of each process is very different in final appearance, but it is important to note that concrete can be dyed or poured in a wide variety of colors to match any color scheme. Another popular way of customizing polishing concrete is to add decorative aggregates to fresh concrete. Contractors regularly use marble or granite chips, colored glass and natural shell to provide a completely unique floor that has a place in the highest end offices and homes.
How do I know if my concrete can be polished?
In most cases you don't. The only way to know if your concrete is able to be polished is to perform a mock-up or sample. This sample should be done on all slabs, new or old, so the owner is aware of the final product as well as providing the contractor with the proper procedure to achieve the desired finish. The good news though is that new and old slabs are polished everyday, regardless of age and in our experience we have had only two slabs in five years that didn't polish.
Where do I start in finding a quality contractor in my area to receive a quote?
Substrate Technology Inc. can help you locate a polishing contractor in most metropolitan areas of the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, The Baltic States, Dubai, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Australia. Depending on your project type (residential/commercial) and your position (owner/architect) we can put you in touch with the appropriate contractor to meet your needs.
Substrate Technology Inc.
Phone: 815.941.4800
Email: info@substratetechnology.com
www.substratetechnology.com
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