Virtual Polished Concrete Design Tool

Polished concrete is one of the most versatile surfaces to design with, and no other product allows the  same level of customization.  Perfect Polish has created a virtual design tool that allows you to adjust the sheen, aggregate exposure, colorant, and design options of your floor to create a unique look.

Want to visualize your floor?  Click here to use our virtual polished concrete design tool to create your own custom floor.

8 Things Every Architect Should Know About Polished Concrete

 

Polished concrete is a highly versatile floor choice, but requires skill and care for installation as it is a craft, not a product.  To ensure the success of the flooring, the designer should begin with a strong specification and demand results.  Below are 8 factors you should understand before beginning a polished concrete project.

1. Polishing Method – One of the first things to be considered when choosing Polished Concrete is the functional needs of the floor and the desired aesthetics. There are two main types of polishing methods that can be utilized to achieve a polished concrete floor:  Topical polishing or mechanical polishing.Topical Polishing:  The topical polishing process employs light weight machines, densifiers and sealers to put a shine on new construction concrete floors. This process will not grind out the imperfections in the concrete, but will rather polish the top layer of cement exactly as it was left by the concrete finisher.

   The end result is a clean and shiny surface that is functional, but depending on what the finished concrete looked like to begin with, may have power trowel marks, low spots, and discoloration throughout the slab. It is the products applied to the top of the floor that provide the sheen, so these products must be reapplied on occasion to maintain the shine.

   Mechanical Polishing: With a mechanical grind and polish process you get a functional floor with the added benefit of the aesthetics. This process employs large floor grinders, densifiers and sealers for both new construction or rehab concrete floors. This process has the ability to grind through the top layer of cement exposing the aggregate and thus removing many of the surface imperfections. This process typically leaves you with a much more uniform appearance and a more consistent, higher gloss. The value of this system is an economical floor that is functional and aesthetically pleasing, that lasts somewhat longer than the topical method.

2. Flatwork – No matter which method you choose, the final polished concrete floor is only going to be as good as the canvas that your polished concrete artist is given to work on. It is critical that the flatwork finisher turns over a flat, well consolidated slab. Require that the general contractor pay particular attention to the edges of each pour, around columns and walls, and any other vertical abutments that will be exposed. If these areas are not consolidated and finished just like the main floor, they will turn out white and chalky and there is very little your polisher can do to blend these areas.
3. Aggregate Exposure – Make sure you specify what size aggregate is desired, typically anything larger than sand size aggregate is going to require aggressive grinding and will be more costly. It is important to make sure the aggregate size desired is as close to the surface as possible, this will ensure that there is plenty of cement around the aggregate. The deeper the polisher has to grind into the concrete the more porosity and non-consolidation will be exposed. Aggregate exposure can only be achieved with the mechanical grinding and polishing method.
4. Curing – Use of a removable cure-n-seal is recommended.  Often a wet cured slab will leave too many color inconsistencies from overlap lines of the curing blankets, or where sections of the floor were more or less wet than other areas.
5. Color – This can be achieved in a wide variety of ways. Integral color is the most expensive, but will give the most value in appearance and longevity. The use of penetrating dyes is a more affordable way to attain color, and is easier to use if multiple colors are desired. Dyes will often time leave a more mottled appearance than integral since the colorant will fluctuate depending on the local density of the concrete.  Color can be used with both the mechanical and topical process.
6. Level of gloss – The level of sheen is quantified by using a gloss meter. A matte finish will range between 15 and 25 reading, a low sheen from 26 to 35, a high sheen from 36 to 50, and a high gloss is a reading of 51+.
7. Sequencing – The designer should communicate with the general contractor to ensure the polished concrete is completed during the correct time in the construction schedule. Ideally, the floors should be completed later in the construction schedule to reduce the opportunity for damage from other trades.  However, the more walls that go up ahead of the polishing, the more cost will be incurred to address the edges. It may be best to have the polisher come in before the (interior and maybe even exterior) walls go up to do the initial grind up through the densification step, and then come back towards the end of construction to do the final polishing steps.
8. Maintenance – Though polished concrete is considered low maintenance, it is important that designers communicate with their clients on the maintenance needs of the polished concrete to keep up it’s aesthetic.  Aside from the daily or weekly cleaning regimen, a semi-annual revisit from the polished concrete company for stain removal, sealer re-application, and burnishing is highly recommended.

No two slabs are alike, and each floor, whether new or existing construction, has unique needs.  Getting an experienced polished concrete specialist involved at the design phase of the project will help improve the success of the project.

Perfect Polish is here to help.  Download our master specification or allow yourself to be inspired by creating your own floor using our polished concrete design studio.