The issue of whether all types of concrete can be polished have come up recently. I got a call from someone who was in the process of renovating his home, but he was concerned that his concrete might not be suitable. Huh.
So there's the question. Are all concrete floors capable of being polished? The short answer is yes, they can. The more elaborate answer is, they can, but they won't always be optimal.
Let me elaborate. The process of concrete polishing is a way to cure the surface material of concrete. The end result of such an endeavor is a concrete surface that is shiny and more durable. But you need a smooth surface first before you can perform polishing. This is what coarse grinding process is, and is is essential before polishing.
The majority of concrete will then be shined, although there will be exceptions. The most obvious of these are the battered and bruised type of concrete. Patchwork may be done to fix them, but those fixes will remain visible even after polishing. Thus the floor will not look as good as you'd want it to be.
Porous concrete, likewise, will make a poor polished, concrete floor. One of the effects the polished concrete should have is to close the surface, but that is a lot harder to do with all those small holes in between the concrete. When laying down new concrete, talk to your contractor to have him apply it non-porously.
Ah, and since we're in the process of talking about polished concrete, I should also note that when your concrete is new, you shouldn't be in a hurry to polish it. Allow a one month grace period for it to cure. After that, you can polish at-will.
Concrete polishing has a few limitations, but it is not all too common. So, to me, it remains as one of the best options out in the market today. - 16492
So there's the question. Are all concrete floors capable of being polished? The short answer is yes, they can. The more elaborate answer is, they can, but they won't always be optimal.
Let me elaborate. The process of concrete polishing is a way to cure the surface material of concrete. The end result of such an endeavor is a concrete surface that is shiny and more durable. But you need a smooth surface first before you can perform polishing. This is what coarse grinding process is, and is is essential before polishing.
The majority of concrete will then be shined, although there will be exceptions. The most obvious of these are the battered and bruised type of concrete. Patchwork may be done to fix them, but those fixes will remain visible even after polishing. Thus the floor will not look as good as you'd want it to be.
Porous concrete, likewise, will make a poor polished, concrete floor. One of the effects the polished concrete should have is to close the surface, but that is a lot harder to do with all those small holes in between the concrete. When laying down new concrete, talk to your contractor to have him apply it non-porously.
Ah, and since we're in the process of talking about polished concrete, I should also note that when your concrete is new, you shouldn't be in a hurry to polish it. Allow a one month grace period for it to cure. After that, you can polish at-will.
Concrete polishing has a few limitations, but it is not all too common. So, to me, it remains as one of the best options out in the market today. - 16492
About the Author:
William Borris is usually found at Concrete Polishing. Go to Concrete Polishing and talk to other concrete polishing enthusiasts like him.
