If you have questions about the work we perform that is not included below, please email us your questions. We hope you will find this section useful.
Polished Concrete
- Is polished concrete for me?
- Are there different types of polished concrete?
- What maintenance is required for polished concrete?
- Is polished concrete eco-friendly?
- Where is polished concrete not suitable?
- How much does polished concrete cost?
- Can cracks and damages to concrete be repaired before polishing?
- How is concrete polished?
- What is the difference between a chemical polished look and a true mechanical polished floor?
- What can I do if my concrete can’t be polished?
Concrete Floor Staining
Polished Concrete
1. Is polished concrete for me?
Polished concrete is a very popular flooring alternative throughout Vancouver and the world. It is requested in a wide range of applications from commercial to residential settings. It’s versatile, beautiful, environmentally friendly, and long lasting. There are concrete floors that are very irregular which may not be the best candidate to polish, in such cases we offer other options such as concrete overlays.
2. Are there different types of polished concrete?
Yes. We can offer various degrees of aggregate exposure options as well as different levels of sheen, such as matte, semi, and high-gloss. Read More
3. What maintenance is required for polished concrete?
Polished concrete requires very little maintenance if it is finished properly with a breathable sealer. For regular maintenance, we recommend regular cleaning with a microfiber mop or in larger spaces an auto scrubber. For cleaning we recommend a capful of a neutral cleaner such as ULTRAclean Hi-Lite to a bucket of water. ULTRAclean Hi-Lite will not only maintain the sheen but also the slip rating of the floor.
4. Is polished concrete eco-friendly?
Polished concrete eliminates the manufacturing of goods such as carpet, linoleum, tile, hardwood as it is using the concrete that is already in place. As well, all the chemicals we use are safe and non-hazardous to the environment.
5. Where is polished concrete not suitable?
Polished concrete flooring is very versatile and can be used for virtually any residential, commercial, industrial or institutional application. However, if the concrete is patchy or in bad condition it may not be the best solution. In outdoor environments with snow and ice these surfaces can be slippery.
6. How much does polished concrete cost?
Generally concrete polishing is determined on a square foot basis. Prices range from as low as $1.75 per square foot for industrial large warehousing jobs around $7.50 per square foot and sometimes higher in small areas. The price is also dependant on the desired look. For example if the client wants polished concrete with full aggregate exposure the price will be on the high end of the scale because it requires much more grinding to expose the stones. Typically speaking the most economical way to achieve a polished concrete floor is to choose a mid range sheen with a low amount of aggregate exposure.
7. Can cracks and damages to concrete be repaired before polishing?
Yes. In most cases cracks are filled with a modified cement based product or ULTRAdensifil. No matter what product is used to fill the cracks or holes they will be somewhat visible after polishing is complete.
8. How is Concrete Polished?
The process starts with a concrete surface that may be new or old. The concrete can be hand trowelled or power trowelled and may or may not have glue or coatings from previous floors still existing on the surface. Polishing starts with mechanical abrasion in sequence from an aggressive cut to finer and finer polishing cuts that actually will make the concrete surface shine.
9. What is the difference between a chemical polished look and a true mechanical polished floor?
In short the difference is quality. Mechanically polishing concrete is more steps but the end result is a cleaner more natural looking floor with greater wear characteristics and better slip resistance.
On the other hand a concrete floor can be ground and coated with a clear epoxy or urethane which gives the appearance of polished concrete. These coatings are non-breathable which means if moisture is present there will be issues. As well the sheen is only topical so it wears and dulls faster.
10. What can I do if my concrete can’t be polished?
If your concrete floor is in bad condition you have the option of having a micro topping installed to give you a more consistent polished concrete look. The options are virtually limitless on these floors. Read More
Concrete Floor Staining
1. Why stain concrete floors?
With colored concrete, the creative options and color choices are endless, making it possible to achieve the perfect look. Colored concrete can transform a room or patio from plain to spectacular. Many manufacturers offer a broad palette of colors to choose from, ranging from earth tones to vibrant hues (color samples). Not only is staining concrete a beautiful design option, but it is also affordable and compatible with both new and existing concrete. With the right products, techniques, and a creative contractor you can produce results that will transform concrete into works of art.
2. What is stencilling?
Floor stencilling is used for adding a logo or design to the concrete floor. The variations are virtually limitless and these stencils can be ordered ahead of time through a stencilling specialty company like Modello.
