Polished concrete floors
Polished concrete floors have been very popular in recent years. Many of our customers are interested in this type of floor for their future home or cottage. Here’s some useful information.
Smoothing
The first step in achieving polished concrete floors is initial placement, also known as smoothing. When the concrete is poured, the cement-maker levels the surface of the slab using a mechanical trowel, commonly known as a « helicopter ». This method differs from conventional concrete placing, which is done by hand, using a concrete trowel. This method of placing concrete can be obtained for as little as $1.00 per sq. ft.
Polishing
After this, it is necessary to wait a month before polishing can be carried out. The concrete must have developed at least 90 % of its mechanical strength, and is often referred to as “curing” or drying out. Polishing concrete involves grinding the slab with a diamond grinder. Layers of concrete are removed one after the other until a perfectly smooth surface is achieved, and the aggregates in the concrete are sufficiently exposed to achieve the desired effect. Some prefer a finer « salt-and-pepper » finish, while others prefer a more pronounced texture . Several passes are made with the grinder, depending on the desired finish. A sealer is then applied to protect the concrete surface.
Polished concrete is resistant and maintenance-free, and very comfortable when coupled with hot-water radiant flooring. Polished concrete is available from $6.00 per sq. ft.
