What is Polished Concrete?

What is Polished Concrete?

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So what is polished concrete? And is it right for me?

Properly polished concrete is naked concrete.

A properly prepared polished concrete surface is any concrete (whether new or old) repeatedly buffed by increasingly finer diamond grits through a mechanical process until the natural concrete develops a high-gloss shine, which reflects light and grows clearer over time.

No wax or sealer is used. No volatile chemicals are used. Minimal waste is produced. The shine is naturally produced with diamond buffing only. Nothing to chip, fade or peel. Floors require minimal maintenance and last a lifetime, even in industrial applications.

Not all Polished Concrete is the same.

Because this is a fairly new industry (late 1990’s) there is little regulation and no enforceable industry specifications. However, CPI adheres to the highest best-practice standards for consistent, superior results.

CPI uses large, powerful, electric grinding machines equipped with diamond grinding discs. We start with coarse grit diamonds to remove the “dead skin” and defects.

Next we buff the concrete with progressively finer and finer diamond grits until a beautiful shine develops. Usually, this is a 6 to 8 step process – very different from some so-called “polished” floors. Additionally, we generously apply a hardening solution known as densifier (sodium silicate) after the coarsest grits. This is a crystalline solution that continually “heals” the concrete over time with each damp mop you apply.

So, is mechanically polished concrete right for me?

Mechanically polished concrete is right for dozens of our clients, and is well accepted in manufacturing, industrial, and commercial applications all over the world. The benefits are well documented. If we can start a conversation to help you identify the problems your company is experiencing and offer suggestions please email or call. We are here to help!

5 Responses

  1. […] less maintenance to repair or keep up the floors. After all, mechanically polished concrete is naked concrete – there is no wax, epoxy, or sealer, so there is nothing to chip, fade, or peel over […]

  2. […] this short video, Dave speaks to the question What is polished concrete? and addresses the most fundamental reasons that polished concrete really is the premiere flooring […]

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  4. […] Mechanically polished concrete is different from some so-called polished concrete, and there are many advantages to mechanically polished concrete to which our national client list will attest, so email or call (888-610-6656) Concrete Polishing, Inc. for more information about making the right decision for your factory or industrial space. […]

  5. […] Mechanically polished concrete is different from some so-called polished concrete, and there are many advantages to mechanically polished concrete to which our national client list will attest, so email or call (888-610-6656) Concrete Polishing, Inc. for more information about making the right decision for your factory or industrial space. […]