Many people think that polished concrete is a new trend. However, the truth is that this flooring option has been around for centuries.
In fact, it was used in constructing the Pantheon in Rome. Polished concrete is now enjoying a resurgence in popularity due, in part, to its durability and low maintenance requirements.
If you are considering polished concrete for your home or business, here are eight critical doubts you can put to rest. If you are interested in polished concrete head over to Policrete.
What is Polished Concrete?
Firstly, polished concrete can be different things. But generally speaking, concrete polishing is a multi-step technique in which a concrete slab is mechanically ground, honed, and polished using bonded abrasives to cut the surface of the concrete floor. It is then tweaked with each cut until it reaches the desired level of appeal.
A concrete floor is the uncovered floor slab that serves as both the bare flooring and the structural component of the building.
The raw floor can be completed with materials like tiles, wood, and natural stone. Or you can leave it exposed and polished to make polished concrete floors. And typically, an extra top layer of concrete is placed over the previous concrete slab before polishing.
8 Key Questions about Polished Concrete
As much as it is a widely popular flooring option, people also tend to have many doubts about polished concrete. Here are some of them.
Doubt #1: “Polished Concrete Floors Don’t Suit Residential Properties.”
Wrong!
While it is true that polished concrete is often seen in commercial spaces such as offices, retail stores, and restaurants, this flooring option is also becoming increasingly popular in residential homes.
Thanks to its durability and low maintenance needs, polished concrete is a great choice for busy families who do not have the time or money to invest in more fragile flooring options.
Doubt #2: “Polished Concrete is Expensive.”
While the initial cost of polished concrete may be higher than standard concrete, it is important to remember that this is a lifetime investment.
Polished concrete will not need a replacement or refinishing over time like other flooring options. So, this alone can save you a lot of money in the long run. Besides, the value of your home or business will increase if you have polished concrete floors.
Doubt #3: “Polished Concrete Needs High-Maintainance.”
Not at all!
In fact, polished concrete is one of the easiest flooring options to care for. A simple sweeping and mopping with warm water and pH-neutral soap will keep your floors looking shiny and new for years to come.
You will also find that spills are much easier to clean up on polished concrete than on other types of flooring.
Doubt #4: “Polished Concrete is Slippery.”
Just to be clear, all wet floors can be slippery. It is only a common misconception that only polished concrete can be slippery. And slippery can be due to various things — water, dust, or oil.
However, polished concrete floors often provide better slip resistance. It is because it has a smooth, even surface with no gaps or cracks for dirt and debris to accumulate.
If you are still worried about slipping on your polished concrete floors, simply choose a lower sheen level when having your floors finished. A lower sheen will provide more traction than a high-gloss finish.
Doubt #5: “Polished Concrete Cleaning Needs Special Equipment or Materials.”
Wong again!
You can easily clean your polished concrete floors with nothing more than a broom, dry or wet mop, and vacuum cleaner.
If you spill something on your floor, simply blot it up with a clean cloth; there’s no need to scrub hard. For tougher stains, you can use a pH-neutral soap and warm water solution, but be sure to rinse well afterwards so that no soap residue is left behind.
You should also avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on your polished concrete, as these can damage the finish.
Doubt #6: “Polished Concrete Looks Dull and Grey.”
It’s another misconception!
Polished concrete doesn’t necessarily come in grey. They can be in various colours and designs.
If it is for a new floor, colours can be incorporated directly into the concrete before it’s placed on the floor. While for an existing concrete floor, it can be coloured using concrete stains that penetrate deep into the concrete flooring or by painting with concrete floor paint.
If you talk to a polished concrete specialist, you will be surprised at the abundance of colours in which you can have polished concrete flooring.
Doubt #7: “Polished Concrete Can be Harsh on Feet.”
No!
Polished concrete is incredibly smooth and will not irritate your feet. But they are generally hard. Remember that the hardness of the concrete contributes to its endurance, minimal maintenance, and abrasion resistance.
But if it still bothers you, you can use area rugs to reduce the roughness.
Doubt #8: “Polished Concrete is Not Pet-Friendly.”
Yes, they are incredibly pet-friendly!
In fact, given how scratch-resistant the surface is and how easy it is to maintain, polished concrete is perhaps the most pet-friendly floor.
One thing to remember is to wipe up spills (particularly urine) as soon as possible to avoid discolouring and odour.
It is vital to note that “densification” is an important component of polishing concrete. It creates a temporary barrier to liquid, giving you more time to clean up than unpolished concrete, which is highly porous and allows liquid to readily permeate the concrete.
Conclusion
These are some common doubts people have about concrete floors. But these are nothing more than a bunch of misconceptions.
You can find many contractors when you Google search for ‘concrete polishing near me.’ Premium Concrete Resurfacing https://premiumconcreteresurfacing.com.au/ ) is a reputed provider of polished concrete in Geelong. You can get in touch with them if you are planning on installing polished concrete floors in your home or business,
