POLISHED CONCRETE – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The cost of polished concrete can vary depending on the current surface. If there is a lot of surface preparation involved, then the cost will be more. Are there tiles that need to be removed? Is there glue or paint currently on the floor? Are there cracks that need to be repaired? Many times the existing slab needs work done to it before it can be polished. This can make the job more expensive. In New Jersey, depending on the space, jobs can range from $3.75/square foot to $7.00/square foot for polished concrete
Concrete cracking isn?t due to just one reason. Concrete can crack because of problems under your control and outside of your control, such as:
- Excess Water: When your concrete mixture has too much water, its durability diminishes. As new concrete dries it also withers. If there is a lot of evaporating water, the concrete does not dry with strength.
- Fast Drying: This might seem like a good thing, but it is another well-known reason for cracking concrete. A chemical reaction occurs within your concrete, changing it from a liquid to a solid. This reaction usually takes place for a few days even after it appears the concrete is dry. If you try to quicken the drying process, you will create surface cracks in your product.
- Incorrect Pouring: This is a preventable problem since all you need is a professional concrete contractor. Hire a concrete professional to pour your concrete, even if it might seem easy to you. Some actions are necessary to stop cracks that could create more significant and more costly problems.
Freeze-thaw Cycle: This is not under your control. The only thing you can do is be on the lookout for it. When the temperature gets colder, concrete shrinks. When the weather gets warmer, concrete expands. The constant freeze-thaw cycle is a problem to recognize when you have concrete flooring.
Stains go well with concrete overlays. Additionally, since concrete stains go deep down into the concrete surface, they create lasting, fade-resistant color. Unlike with a coating or paint, the color won’t peel or flake off.
If you want something bolder than the subtle look of acid staining, you might want to think about using water-based stains. Water-based stains are available in a complete range of hues. In many instances, the various colors can be combined to increase your choices.
The concrete is immersed with tones that are translucent and shining. Every surface yields a perfect look. Application methods can further enrich that distinctiveness. Some of the many looks include, but aren?t limited to:
- stained wood
- leather
- and stone.
Staining is the most well-liked technique for improving both residential and commercial concrete flooring. Concrete stains are quite versatile, allowing you have any look you desire to satisfy your design budget and tastes. With staining, you can add custom graphic designs, subtle hints of color, and bolder design accents.
Similar to staining wood, stained concrete can bring color, richness, and vibrancy to a concrete floor while maintaining its natural beauty. We can apply color on the exterior and interior surfaces, from patios to kitchen floors, with a vast array of options to satisfy any design request.
Staining your existing or new concrete produces a luxurious appearance that you don?t see with wood or traditional tile flooring. Instead of the solid, smooth look paint produces, staining creates the opposite effect.
The reason why so many of these advanced flooring terms are confusing is that they are very similar to each other. In fact, polished cement performs as a type of decorative concrete since it looks stunning for many years.
Decorative cement systems include a variety of different techniques and installation methods, and polishing is one of them. In short, the process of taking a dull, gray concrete space and transforming it into something unique falls under the umbrella of decorative services.
It also helps to know that we can stain or dye polished concrete as well as offer other customizable options.
Polished concrete is extremely popular for both commercial and residential settings because of the fast installation times. While many times floors can vary, we will give you a general overview.
Step 1: We inspect your floor for damages, cracks, chips, dents and sunken areas.
Step 2: Repair or replace any of the damaged areas and take off any coatings, adhesives, carpeting, oils paints and basic obstructions that are on the floor. We fill everything so that your slab is protected.
Step 3: Grinding. We grind the floors so they are porous after the floors have been repaired. We use state of the art diamond concrete grinders.
Step 4: Once we have completed the grinding and sanding, we apply chemical hardeners are applied to your concrete to densify its surface.
Step5: Polish. We polish until the floors are exactly as you want them.
What makes polished concrete such a popular solution is that virtually any poured space can receive this gorgeous home upgrade. While there are strict structural concerns to address before we can provide the service, we can polish inside and outdoors.
The main thing we must look for is whether or not cracks have extended to the other side of the surface. When that occurs, it leaves the cement area too weak to undergo the process, even with using adhesives for bonding.
Once we add new concrete, and it cures, we can then begin the polishing work. However, if the existing cement system remains too worn out for upgrades, you will likely need a new pour first.
Many retail stores, WeWork buildings, Rustic homes, warehouses, schools and many more commercial and industrial spaces use polishing on their concrete.
Polished concrete floors provide a vast selection of advantages for commercial, industrial, and residential properties. Some of those advantages include:
Affordability: Other flooring solutions necessitate long installation processes and more products if they involve a new floor installation. On the other hand, polished concrete flooring uses the material that is already there. So, since there are fewer products required for a polished concrete floor, there?s also a lower cost and less labor.
Lifespan: Polished concrete floors are very durable. They don?t damage easily and can last for over ten years without needing repair or replacement.
Low Maintenance: This surface doesn?t harbor spills, grime, dirt, dust or anything else that could harm your floors. Polished concrete floors are simple to clean, needing only daily sweeping or occasional mopping. These floors don?t require a lot of labor. You don?t need to have a maintenance budget ready since polished concrete floors are easy to clean and hassle-free.
Resistance: Polished concrete floors shield your concrete from the frequent mishaps that easily harm it. Completing a polished floor allows for stain, fire, slip, and water resistance. Several of these problems damage concrete unless a layer shields it. On its own, concrete is quite an absorbent surface. Exposed concrete will absorb any moisture or water and become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and mildew.
Environmental Friendliness: Polished floors use the material already there. This means you don?t have to buy more materials to install fantastic floors. Concrete polished floors require less waste than other flooring choices. As a result, polished concrete floors are considered an eco-green option.
Aesthetics: We can install polished concrete floors with various designs and colors to create a distinct space.