What are the things you need to consider when having a polished concrete floor installed? Have a look at this guide to polished concrete flooring by Quest Flooring – a UK-leading specialist in polished concrete flooring.
What is polished concrete?
In a nutshell, polished concrete is very much like the normal concrete you would usually find in industrial settings, which has had chemical densifiers added to it, to make it less porous and provide a dense mixture.
Quest uses a revolutionary process, HTC Superfloor™, which grinds and polishes the concrete using specialist diamond tools, to achieve a smooth, glossy or matte finish. Firstly, we mechanically refine the concrete surface by removing the top layer, revealing the stronger layers underneath.
Next, we grind and polish the surface in small steps, until the desired shine and characteristics in the concrete are revealed and achieved. Ideal for a variety of settings, anywhere from commercial and industrial spaces to bathrooms and kitchens, polished concrete floors are practical and visually striking, delivering a contemporary, industrial-chic style.
Advantages of commercial polished concrete
There are a number of advantages of commercial polished concrete, including the following:
- Environmentally friendly
Quest only installs polished concrete flooring, which is a low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) flooring type – an exceptionally low contributor to greenhouse gases – making it much more environmentally friendly than other flooring types.
- Affordable and economical
The actual cost of polished concrete floors/flooring depends on a number of factors, including the area where your premises are located, the quality of the existing floors, the size of the space requiring the floor and the type of finish you require. However, it is an affordable and economical option, especially if you are installing a polished concrete floor on top of an existing concrete floor.
It is also highly durable and won’t need replacing as often as other types of flooring.
- Seamless finish
As the name suggests, your polished concrete flooring will not have any seams, ridges or joints, creating a continual flow. If sealed to a high standard, the floor will be one complete floor, with no areas where dirt or debris can become stuck – a major problem with other floors.
- Durable
Even if your finished concrete floor looks shiny and stunning, it will still have the advantage of being super strong and durable. So, whether it is used in an industrial setting or in a commercial kitchen, you can have peace of mind that it will take whatever you throw at it – literally!
- Easy to maintain
Polished concrete floors/flooring have a lifespan of 20 years if properly installed and maintained, as they are not susceptible to damage that other floors – made from different materials – may be prone to.
As long as you keep it clean it regularly, with either a dry sweep or a mop, your polished concrete floor will outlive every other floor in your business.
- Slip and stain resistant
As a polished concrete floor can be very shiny, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking it is extra slippy – when in fact, the opposite is true. It has a very rough surface, at a microscopic level and, mechanically grinding and flattening the floor, increases the friction, which actually makes it much safer than other kinds of flooring.
And if you drop something on it, which should cause a stain, you can simply wipe it off the floor and there will be nothing there to see.
- Can be used with existing or newly cast concrete
The choice is yours – you can have a polished concrete floor installed over an existing concrete floor or you can use it as newly cast concrete. You can achieve a high-quality polished finish regardless of which one you choose.
In addition, if you are thinking of having underfloor heating in your business and would like to install polished concrete over it, then this is a great idea! Concrete is an excellent conductor of heat, so putting it over underfloor heating, or in a room that gets a lot of sunshine, will see it absorb and hold the heat.
Importance of the sealing process
Sealing your polished concrete floor is extremely important. This process turns the porous concrete into a dense surface, meaning if anything is spilt onto it, it will not be able to penetrate the surface, therefore preventing stains.
This ensures that polished concrete flooring is easy to maintain with no scrubbing or chemicals required to keep it clean.
Contact us
If you’re thinking of installing polished concrete floors/flooring in your business or home, or if you have any questions on the installation process, then don’t hesitate to contact our specialists at Quest on 01925 737 369 or email us at sales@questltd.flywheelsites.com and we will be happy to help.