Polished Concrete Archives - Valen Concrete Coatings

Concrete Polishing: A Cost-Effective Way to Transform Your Concrete Floors

valenconcrete1 on April 17, 2023

Do you find yourself frowning at your dull, uninspiring concrete floors? Does the hue of plain gray make you want to hide it away as much as possible? If you’re nodding along in agreement, we have a reliable and cost-effective solution: concrete polishing.

It’s the perfect way to transform your bare concrete into a spotless, durable surface that requires minimal maintenance. In this blog post, the flooring experts at Concrete Coatings dive deep into why this upgrade is always worth the investment.

Why Should You Invest in Concrete Polishing?

Polished concrete brings the undeniable benefit of boosting the aesthetic appeal of your space. Say goodbye to an ugly, oppressive atmosphere, and prepare to have one that’s fresh, energetic, and welcoming.

Not only do polished floors look elegant, but they also offer plenty of functionality. Consider these practical advantages.

Create a Brighter, Airier Atmosphere

Do you have plans to install new lighting for your space but keep putting it off because of the associated costs and hassle? Polished concrete is here to save the day! Its glossy finish can reflect light from both natural sunlight and existing fixtures, allowing you to brighten up any area with minimal expense.

Strengthen Your Concrete

Did you know that polishing can actually make your floors tougher and more resilient? The process minimizes the chances of:

Cracking
Staining
Chipping
Scratching
Fading

It also helps increase the lifespan of your flooring. You won’t have to re-coat or replace your polished concrete floors, making them a cost-effective investment for residential and commercial spaces. There’s a reason why you see so many commercial and industrial spaces opting for this upgrade.

Reduce the Risks of Unpleasant Accidents

Who knew polished, smooth surfaces could be safer than rough, unrefined ones? With bare concrete, you often have barely noticeable cracks, divots, and other crevices that could easily trip someone or harbor harmful bacteria. It also has a tendency to become very slippery when wet.

Polishing prevents such unsavory scenarios from happening, as it fills in any irregularities, making the floor even and free of trip hazards. You can also opt for a skid-resistant coating to further reduce the risk of slips and falls.

Enjoy a Low-Maintenance Area

Leaving concrete untreated is like a magnet for grime, dust, and other debris, making regular cleaning almost impossible. What’s more? It readily absorbs liquids, which can easily leave you with stubborn stains and funky odors.

When you choose to polish your floors instead, the process becomes infinitely simpler! No more laborious scrubbing or steam-cleaning required: All you need is a mop and broom for upkeep.

Save Time, Money, and the Environment

Why go through the hassle of weeks or even months of a large-scale renovation when you can achieve a similar effect in a day? With concrete polishing, you can save on costs and resources that you would otherwise have to spend on new flooring.

This green approach doesn’t just benefit your wallet; it also helps all of us as we strive for sustainability.

Make Your Space More Sanitary

We can all agree that a clean floor is crucial for a hygienic environment. Polishing your concrete helps improve its resistance to bacteria, mold, and other contaminants, which is ideal if you manage a food business or have children in your home who are likely to spill various liquids.

What’s “Polished” Concrete Anyway?

It’s a common misconception that polishing is an easy do-it-yourself task, but don’t be fooled. Concrete polishing takes specific equipment and knowledgeable technicians to achieve impeccable results. Let’s break down the process to give you a better idea of the work involved:

Prepping: Slabs with too much structural damage might first require repairs and deeper concrete resurfacing.
Grinding: Experts use heavy-duty machines to grind away the material to eliminate surface imperfections and create a level, smooth finish.
Polishing: This is where the magic happens! We follow the grinding process with finer grit diamond pads to achieve a high-gloss shine.
Sealing: To help protect the concrete surface from water and future staining, most professionals recommend applying a commercial-grade sealer.

Will This Enhancement Work for My Space?

As long as you have a solid slab of concrete, the answer is yes! Some common areas for concrete polishing include:

Garages

Transform your existing concrete garage base into a showroom-like space to impress any car enthusiast! With everything from solid hues to decorative designs available, you can customize the look of your renovation to match whatever aesthetic suits you best. Concrete polishing is also beneficial if you are looking to transform your garage into a gym or hobby space.

Outdoor Areas

This long-lasting upgrade will stand up against all types of weather conditions and doesn’t take much to retain its appearance. Consider polishing your concrete:

Patios
Pool decks
Walkways
Driveways
Garden paths

Basements

Transform your forgotten basement into something functional and exciting! With a workable area, you can much more easily create the following for your family:

A family den
An extra workspace
A home gym
An entertainment space

Are You Looking for Premier Concrete Polishing in Locust Grove?

For years, Concrete Coatings has helped hundreds of property owners turn their dream spaces into a reality. Call our professional team at (678) 782-7580 today to learn more about concrete polishing. We’re always here to answer your questions and look forward to helping you jumpstart your next project.

From Dull to Dazzling: The Power of Commercial Polishing with Concrete Coatings GA

valenconcrete1 on March 3, 2023

Is commercial polishing the right option for your business in Locust Grove, GA? Polished concrete is a simple but elegant solution for floors that must handle a lot of abuse. In this post, the team from Concrete Coatings looks at the primary benefits of this finish for concrete flooring.

How Does Commercial Polishing Work?

Commercial concrete polishing differs from metal polishing. We use a series of abrasive discs to buff the concrete’s surface. Polished metal will achieve a high shine, but the process doesn’t have the same transformative effect as concrete polishing.

Concrete polishing services grind away thin layers of concrete using progressively finer grits of sandpaper. The process refines the pores in the concrete, rendering them almost impermeable and stronger.

Then the team applies a layer of concrete hardener that soaks deep into the surface. When the hardener cures, the polishing process resumes. The team again uses finer and finer grit paper until the floor is as glossy as you like.

The appeal of this technique is that it allows the natural beauty of the concrete to shine through. Clients can then opt for a low-gloss, utilitarian surface or turn heads with a high-gloss finish. Concrete Coatings takes the process one step further by offering to add a high-grade polyaspartic sealant over the top.

Why Choose Commercial Polishing?

Commercial polishing is a popular option for businesses because it’s durable and easy to maintain. However, it is an investment due to the amount of labor necessary to achieve the effects. Is the investment worthwhile? Read on and see for yourself.

Easy to Maintain

Cleaning polished concrete is easy. Unlike floor paint, polished concrete doesn’t flake or peel away. The hardeners make the concrete highly resistant to scratching and chipping as well. Thanks to the topcoat and the refined pores, the concrete becomes impermeable and, therefore, resistant to staining.

You will need to sweep the floor and wipe it down with a wet mop regularly. Other than a quick burnish once in a while, that is all the maintenance you will need to perform. The primary advantage of commercial polishing is that it renders concrete almost indestructible.

By removing the material’s porosity and hardening it, polishing enhances its strength tenfold.

Cost-Effective

Does commercial polishing in Locust Grove cost more than painting the floor or installing an epoxy coating? At the outset, it does, and it seems a great deal more expensive. However, when you consider the low maintenance and high durability of the surface, the lifetime cost makes this a desirable option.

Not only will your floors look amazing for years, but they will also resist cracking and remain solid for much longer. Add in the ease of cleaning these floors, and the benefits keep adding up.

Finally, in terms of durability, concrete is second only to stone. However, the polishing costs a great deal less than stone would.

Remains Pristine

Keeping a floor clean in an industrial environment is challenging at the best of times. Unsealed concrete is functional but will soon show marks and signs of wear. Spills soak deep into the substrate and quickly become entrenched.

Concrete after commercial polishing is different in that it repels spills. The sealed surface is impermeable, so oil, grease, and other liquids sit on the surface. If these liquids weren’t a slipping hazard, you could leave them there for days without worrying about having to clean them up.

In addition, the hardened surface is far more chemical-resistant than unsealed concrete. While some chemicals can etch the surface and mar the shine, it’s possible to use an epoxy coating to protect against these.

Finally, you no longer need to worry about discoloration or fading. The concrete ages gracefully, unlike some sealants that turn yellow or become brittle in direct sunlight.

Better Aesthetics

Businesses today must always think about the image they convey, even in an industrial complex. You have to consider the following factors:

Your brand image if clients or potential clients wish to visit your plant — Messy, wrecked floors do little to inspire confidence in a client interested in offering you a large manufacturing contract. Commercial businesses must also impress clients in a similar manner.
Health and safety standards are crucial to maintain — If a health or safety inspector inspects the premises, a filthy-looking floor may prompt them to look a little closer at your operations.
Your employees want a workplace of which they can be proud — They wish to feel safe and secure, and knowing that the floor is clean is a good start. It’s also essential to maintain a quality working environment to retain employees.
Potential investors will want to see that you care about the small details — A clean floor won’t convince them to invest, but it will help to create a better first impression.
Finally, you can apply stains for a decorative effect or use color-coordinated epoxy to designate different areas on the floor — With a bit of creativity, you can improve workflow by using the right floor colors.

Commercial Polishing in Locust Grove

Is commercial polishing the right choice for your business? Contact Concrete Coatings at (678) 782 7580 to discuss your options and for your free estimate. Our experienced technician will perform an on-site visit to discuss whether concrete polishing is viable and, if not, what your other options are.