One of the chief issues we run into with concrete, whether in an industrial or residential setting, is cleaning. Natural concrete is slightly rough and abrasive, and can create some minor issues when it comes to cleaning and basic maintenance.
At Packman’s Coatings, we’re here to provide a simple solution: Polished concrete. Not only will high-quality polished concrete be easier to clean, it also has a beautiful shine and can help with long-term durability. Here are some basic details on the history of concrete polishing, how it’s done, and how it can benefit you in both industrial and residential areas.
Concrete Polishing History
Concrete polishing first began showing up roughly 10 years ago, when it was used in a warehouse setting for several purposes: Helping with lighting, decreasing equipment wear and tear, removing dusting needs, and to bring in better and more permanent flooring solutions for environments where this kind of thing is vital.
Before long, though, technology allowed contractors to add several beneficial customization properties to concrete polishing, including new colors, decorative cuts and others. These advances allowed concrete polishing to become far more common, entering the restaurant, retail, office and even the residential space in short order. All these areas can benefit from concrete surfaces that are not only easier to clean, but look better and last longer.
Polishing Process and “Grits”
The process of polished concrete begins by the surface being refined to achieve a finish using a process involving “grits,” a measurement format similar to sand paper for woodworking. Grits each refine the concrete differently, applied from roughest to finest. Contractors will use between six and nine grits depending on the exact surface desired, plus will use an item called a densifier to increase the density of the structure and improve its stain resistance and fill in any imperfections. Grits can also be used for several other concrete processes – polished concrete is just one possible outcome.
Polished Concrete by Floor Type
Polished concrete has uses across a wide array of areas, from heavy industrial fields down to basic garage floors, driveways, patios and other important residential concrete areas. Here’s how it can be beneficial in both residential and industrial areas:
- Residential concrete: If you have polished concrete in your home, there’s no need for any carpet, wood tile ore similar material – all of which come with significant maintenance concerns and, even if you follow all these perfectly, will need to be replaced relatively often. Polished concrete is more durable, and also comes with none of these concerns. Maintenance is simple and easy, and your floors both look beautiful and benefit the environment more than those other types.
- Industrial: In a wide variety of settings, polished concrete’s low maintenance requirements makes it a top choice. It’s used in everything from warehouses and manufacturing plants to schools, vehicle showroom floors and many other areas. Any business looking to combine aesthetically pleasing products with economically sound choices looks to polished concrete.
For more on polished concrete, or to learn about any of our concrete coatings or concrete staining services, speak to the pros at Packman’s Coatings today.