How thick should concrete be to polish?

The method used for retrofitting a polished concrete floor is either to (a) cut or sand the existing floor slab to be hardened and polished, or (b) apply a topping slab of polished concrete flooring, at least 50 mm thick, over the existing slab.

How thick should polished concrete floors be?

Traditional Polished Concrete

It is a thick, heavy floor needing generally 75mm-100mm depth as a minimum and you will have to cut joints into the surface to allow the concrete to shrink in a controlled way. It is often tricky to install in residential setting due to the weight and thickness.

When should you polish concrete?

(This should be done roughly 30 days after concrete placement and after the HVAC system has been operating for a minimum of 14 days.)

At what stage in the build do you polish concrete?

This is usually at the lockup stage —,i.e. when the outer walls are up and the roof is on. And, if needed, we're happy to return and do a final buff once the rest of the build is complete.

Can rough concrete be polished?

Almost any structurally sound concrete floor, whether new or old, can be polished.

Smartkrete Concrete Polish Demonstration

Does polishing concrete seal it?

By densifying and sealing the surface, polished concrete transforms a porous concrete floor into a tightened floor that is dense enough to repel water, oil, and other contaminants, preventing them from penetrating the surface.

Can you polish concrete yourself?

The good news is, you can achieve this smooth, glossy look for yourself AND you don't have to outsource the job to tradesmen either! With a range of easy-to-operate concrete polishing equipment for rent, you can be the master of your own project on either old or new concrete floors.

How long after pouring concrete can it be polished?

As a general rule the concrete should be cured for 28 days before we actually arrive to do the polish.

Does polished concrete crack?

“Polished concrete is more susceptible to cracking.”

Keep in mind that all concrete floors will crack, whether polished, coated, or untreated. A concrete slab cracks as part of the initial curing process, and it will crack again over time.

How do you make concrete smooth and shiny?

If the concrete floor is sloped, self leveling cement can be applied to make the surface even. Ardex or other similar self leveling cementitous mixes can be applied and poured on to the surface and then ground afterwords just like regular concrete to get a smooth shine.

Do polished concrete floors scratch easily?

Polished concrete flooring is extremely strong and resilient and is able to withstand the pressure from very heavy foot traffic and equipment. It is very difficult to damage and is nearly impossible to chip or scratch. Life-Span.

How do you make concrete smooth after it dries?

Is polished concrete good for garage?

While it is typically used indoors, polished concrete is also an excellent choice for those looking to improve their garage floors. Because of the beauty of polished concrete, it may be difficult to imagine how it can withstand heavy vehicle movements.

How thick should a concrete topping be?

1. Fully Bonded Topping. The minimum recommended thickness is 1 to 2 in. (25 to 50 mm) for a fully bonded concrete overlay placed on a base slab that is practically free of cracks and in which the concrete is sound, clean, and of good quality.

What is the minimum thickness of concrete floor?

A residential concrete floor should be around four inches thick. If you plan on your concrete floors handling heavy loads, five to six inches is more appropriate. With that said, the minimum thickness of concrete flooring is around two inches, although we wouldn't recommend choosing to go that thin.

Can lightweight concrete be polished?

Floors made of lightweight concrete isn't the best candidate for polishing. Concrete which has been damaged by caustic chemicals. Outdoor concrete made with a freeze/thaw mix shouldn't be polished.

Is polished concrete slippery when wet?

While highly polished concrete looks great, the downside is that it can be slippery when wet. This means that while you're free to choose the desired level of aggregate exposure for you outdoor surfaces, honed concrete for outdoor use can't be highly polished and is only available in a matte finish.

Is polished concrete cheaper than tile?

Because material and labor costs for tile are high, polished concrete is often significantly less expensive than tile in new residential construction and renovation. Depending on slab size and gloss level, a cream polished concrete floor is generally $3.50 to $5 per square foot.

Why is my polished concrete cracking?

For example, too much water in the concrete mix will reduce the strength of the concrete and cause cracks as the concrete hardens and dries. This causes shrinkage as the excess water evaporates. Concrete that is allowed to dry too fast is also at a greater risk of cracking.

Is polished concrete colder than tiles?

Polished concrete floors are better at keeping you warm

While concrete is perceived by some as being a cold material, it's a common misconception. Concrete is actually a high thermal mass material.

Is polished concrete cheaper than carpet?

Polished concrete is less expensive per square foot than carpeting, tiles, linoleum or any other forms of floor covering.

How long does it take to polish a concrete floor?

Depending on the area, the level of polish, and the obstacles, the polishing can take upwards of 2 to 3 days. However, you can use the surface immediately after the polishing is done. For more information on polished concrete, or to get an estimate, you can contact us at The Floor Company.

Can you use an angle grinder to polish concrete?

An angle grinder can be used to level, smooth and polish concrete by grinding it down. They can also be used to remove paint and floor adhesives. To grind concrete with a angle grinder you need a diamond cup wheel, a dust shroud attachment, and a vacuum cleaner.

What is the difference between polished concrete and epoxy?

Epoxy flooring is water resistant, provides a non-slippery surface and will not be damaged as a result of a chemical spill. This is also the most common type of flooring commercial flooring. Concrete polishing is a smooth and clean surface that does not peel or scratch as compared to epoxy flooring which can scratch.