Concrete FloorsA polished concrete floor is a versatile concrete floor, which can be used both indoors and outdoors. Polished concrete has been around for a very long time. Originally polished concrete was used for industrial applications, but nowadays it is also popular in (and around) homes. The thickness of polished concrete varies according to the application and the stability of the substrate. If you go thinner than the prescribed thickness, the risk of cracking increases.
Thanks to the polishing, polished concrete is extra smooth and even, the floor gets a smooth top layer. Polished concrete floors are available in different colors and they look great on large surfaces. That is why this type of concrete is well suited, for example, for driveways and terraces, but nowadays we also see more and more polished concrete in modern homes. This is even our expertise, polished concrete floors in homes. |
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How is polished concrete made? First, the (still liquid) concrete is poured at the agreed place. Then the drying process begins. When the concrete has hardened, it is smoothed and leveled with a butterfly machine. In rare situations (for example in small and difficult spaces) this can also be done by hand. As a layman it is very difficult to estimate when to start turning and with which plates/knives. In this respect, it is better to leave the molding or polishing of a concrete floor to a professional. After polishing, the concrete is injected with a coating, the so-called curing compound. For houses we opt not to do this, and to spray the floor with a concrete hardener (price in option). The day after installing the floor, saw cuts are made.
Do you use concrete hardener or curing compound? As standard, the concrete is sprayed with a curing compound after polishing. A curing compound is a resin that remains on the floor, sometimes causing stubborn stains. This curing compound will later disappear in industrial applications due to the load on the floor. However, in homes and private applications, the concrete floor will not be loaded as intensively or mechanically and the curing compound is often a source of annoyance. This curing compound can also be dusted later. In this regard, we always offer our customers a surcharge to have the floor treated with a concrete hardener; this makes the floor easier to maintain.
Like any type of concrete, polished concrete has a number of specific advantages and disadvantages. Are you considering using polished concrete for your home? Below we list the various advantages and disadvantages of polished concrete for you, so that you can make a well-considered choice. If you need help with foundations, you can contact any professional foundation contractors Detroit.
Advantages of polished concrete? Polished concrete floors are cheap: Polished concrete floors are relatively inexpensive for large areas. So if you have a spacious home, or if you want to build a terrace or driveway, polished concrete is a suitable option. Polishing takes place in such areas in a very efficient manner.
Glossy concrete in a home is sustainable: Concrete floors hardly wear out and last a very long time. For this reason, they are particularly durable, even outdoors. Polished concrete can cope well with changing weather conditions (including freezing cold) and is wear-resistant.
Concrete floors are maintenance-friendly: Polished concrete bonds in one go. This is a big advantage because it means that you get a nice, even floor. Not only does this look good, it is also easy to maintain. Because there are no few joints in the floor, it is easy to clean. Also, no dirt or dust can adhere to the joints if the joints are sealed, which makes the floor itself very hygienic.
Polished concrete is versatile: Polished concrete can be used for different types of floors. It is suitable for homes, retail and office buildings, gardens and driveways. In addition, polished concrete is available in different thicknesses and different colors.
Timeless appearance of polished concrete floors: A concrete floor has a timeless appearance. The floor can be used for both modern and rural interiors. It can also be used to give a more industrial look to the interior.
5 possible pitfalls of polished concrete floors? Crack formation when installing a concrete floor: It is very important to pay close attention when pouring the concrete floor, because if this is not done correctly, cracks can occur. That is why it is wise to have this done by a good professional. In this way, the skilled person can easily control cracks and try to prevent them in consultation.
Cracks over time: There is also the risk that large or small cracks will appear in the floor over time. You can prevent this by making sure that the floor is at least 12 centimeters thick for indoor floors. Always opt for double reinforcement for outdoor floors. The cracks have no adverse effects (except that cleaning will be a bit more difficult). Some people even consciously choose cracks in the concrete floor because it can give an industrial look.
Stains: It is important to use the correct cleaning agents for maintenance. If you use acidic cleaning agents, burn marks can occur. Stains are easily prevented by having your concrete floor treated (the installer of your concrete floor), after all, every situation is different.
Level differences: In corners in particular, it is possible that level differences arise in the concrete. Edges and corners often rise due to the act of polishing, which is a property of the placement of the material. Of course, a concrete floor is never 100% flat, it is an industrial product after all. But you can minimize the height differences by choosing a good professional. In principle, it must be possible to limit the differences in height in such a way that they cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Weather conditions: If you have your floor polished, make sure that this is not done when it is very hot. If you pour the floor in hot temperatures, it is possible that there will be too much plastic shrinkage and your floor will crack. A good professional will of course be aware of this (and know how to choose the right moment).
Any Detroit Concrete Contractors in your area can provide you with more professional work. Google will provide you with a list of all contractors who respond to your query by entering "concrete contractors Detroit.".
Do you use concrete hardener or curing compound? As standard, the concrete is sprayed with a curing compound after polishing. A curing compound is a resin that remains on the floor, sometimes causing stubborn stains. This curing compound will later disappear in industrial applications due to the load on the floor. However, in homes and private applications, the concrete floor will not be loaded as intensively or mechanically and the curing compound is often a source of annoyance. This curing compound can also be dusted later. In this regard, we always offer our customers a surcharge to have the floor treated with a concrete hardener; this makes the floor easier to maintain.
Like any type of concrete, polished concrete has a number of specific advantages and disadvantages. Are you considering using polished concrete for your home? Below we list the various advantages and disadvantages of polished concrete for you, so that you can make a well-considered choice. If you need help with foundations, you can contact any professional foundation contractors Detroit.
Advantages of polished concrete? Polished concrete floors are cheap: Polished concrete floors are relatively inexpensive for large areas. So if you have a spacious home, or if you want to build a terrace or driveway, polished concrete is a suitable option. Polishing takes place in such areas in a very efficient manner.
Glossy concrete in a home is sustainable: Concrete floors hardly wear out and last a very long time. For this reason, they are particularly durable, even outdoors. Polished concrete can cope well with changing weather conditions (including freezing cold) and is wear-resistant.
Concrete floors are maintenance-friendly: Polished concrete bonds in one go. This is a big advantage because it means that you get a nice, even floor. Not only does this look good, it is also easy to maintain. Because there are no few joints in the floor, it is easy to clean. Also, no dirt or dust can adhere to the joints if the joints are sealed, which makes the floor itself very hygienic.
Polished concrete is versatile: Polished concrete can be used for different types of floors. It is suitable for homes, retail and office buildings, gardens and driveways. In addition, polished concrete is available in different thicknesses and different colors.
Timeless appearance of polished concrete floors: A concrete floor has a timeless appearance. The floor can be used for both modern and rural interiors. It can also be used to give a more industrial look to the interior.
5 possible pitfalls of polished concrete floors? Crack formation when installing a concrete floor: It is very important to pay close attention when pouring the concrete floor, because if this is not done correctly, cracks can occur. That is why it is wise to have this done by a good professional. In this way, the skilled person can easily control cracks and try to prevent them in consultation.
Cracks over time: There is also the risk that large or small cracks will appear in the floor over time. You can prevent this by making sure that the floor is at least 12 centimeters thick for indoor floors. Always opt for double reinforcement for outdoor floors. The cracks have no adverse effects (except that cleaning will be a bit more difficult). Some people even consciously choose cracks in the concrete floor because it can give an industrial look.
Stains: It is important to use the correct cleaning agents for maintenance. If you use acidic cleaning agents, burn marks can occur. Stains are easily prevented by having your concrete floor treated (the installer of your concrete floor), after all, every situation is different.
Level differences: In corners in particular, it is possible that level differences arise in the concrete. Edges and corners often rise due to the act of polishing, which is a property of the placement of the material. Of course, a concrete floor is never 100% flat, it is an industrial product after all. But you can minimize the height differences by choosing a good professional. In principle, it must be possible to limit the differences in height in such a way that they cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Weather conditions: If you have your floor polished, make sure that this is not done when it is very hot. If you pour the floor in hot temperatures, it is possible that there will be too much plastic shrinkage and your floor will crack. A good professional will of course be aware of this (and know how to choose the right moment).
Any Detroit Concrete Contractors in your area can provide you with more professional work. Google will provide you with a list of all contractors who respond to your query by entering "concrete contractors Detroit.".
