Polished Concrete - "It's the Floor of the Future"
It’s Concrete
Concrete (the word) does not usually bring to mind images of a beautiful, esthetically attractive environment and yet, almost without exception, concrete is used to build houses, bridges and roads. Why? Concrete is an excellent value, a strong, reliable, long lasting and environmentally friendly material. Now, Decorative Concrete, Inc., can transform an ordinary concrete floor into a truly spectacular environment, both beautiful and versatile! We’ve all searched for the perfect floor? It's been there all the time — CONCRETE!
It’s a Decorative Concrete Floor
A Decorative Concrete floor is concrete that has been diamond ground using a proprietary combination of metal bond and resin bond diamonds, premium densification (hardener) with state-of-the-art machinery and tooling to produce a beautiful, long-lasting, granite-like shine. In addition to its remarkable beauty, the polished concrete floor is durable, versatile, functional, eco-friendly, surprisingly economical and a distinctive trendsetter. Age does not matter whether it is new concrete or 60 year old concrete . . . it can become an amazing Decorative Concrete Floor!
It’s Background
Polished concrete is an outgrowth of the marble and terrazzo industry. It first started in Europe and was introduced to the United States in 1998. Since then, its uses have expanded tremendously. Millions of feet of concrete have been polished throughout America. Industry studies reveal that its use will grow 100 fold in the next 5 years. Decorative Concrete, Inc. is proud of its satisfied customers spanning the nation from major corporations, national franchises to small business owners, as well as libraries, schools, warehouses, show rooms, residential and commercial settings throughout the Southeastern United States.
It's Quality
How can you determine true QUALITY? As the buyer, it is essential to compare and understand the differences between the quality equipment and quality standards applied in concrete polishing.
A quality process means the difference between a "short-term shine" or the desired, true, quality floor — a professional 10-step process, Decorative Concrete floor, using state-of-the-art equipment.
Both are called "polished concrete." One is a costly mistake. OURS is the quality you want. A call to Decorative Decorative Concrete will provide information you can trust, the premier floor you expect and the true quality you want, backed by our warranty.
It's Your Long Term Solution
Decorative Concrete transforms a dull, lifeless concrete floor into a beautiful reflective surface. Maintenance costs usually drop by 60%. Even tire marks and oil spills simply wipe off. Once complete, Decorative Concrete offers a 20-year absolute gloss retention warranty program that guarantees shine and locks in your costs. No waxes, acrylics or epoxies are used. There is nothing to chip, peel or fade.
It’s Very Affordable
The cost of a Decorative Concrete floor very favorably compares with the cost of vinyl composition tile. Since maintenance costs for Decorative Concrete floors prove to be about 60% less than VCT, significant maintenance dollars are saved. A professionally completed, Decorative Concrete Floor is permanent beautifully polished concrete, needing only minor touch-up years down the road.
It's Ecologically Friendly
A professionally polished concrete floor is a green process with LEED certification up to platinum level. The Decorative Concrete shine comes from repeated polishing steps using ever finer and finer quality diamond grits — NOT from applying coatings, acrylics or epoxies that contain harmful VOCs.
It's Slip Resistant
The National Floor Safety Institute has certified that Decorative Concrete floors are one of the safest floors you can have. Decorative Concrete floors meet standards for a "high-traction" floor rating.
Polished Concrete Questions
Q: How is it done?
A: Diamond discs are mounted to an 1100 lb. Grinder. These rough grits remove imperfections while flattening the floor. Then finer grits are used to create a marble-like shine. The process is usually an 8-step process beginning with 30 grit diamonds and ending with 3000 grit diamonds.
Q: How long will it last?
A: This is a permanent process. There’s no wax, epoxy, acrylic, or any other shiny coverings applied that will eventually fail. When our company is finished, the result is a bare concrete floor that has been permanently polished. In heavy industrial, commercial or institutional use, an inexpensive re-polish may be needed years down the road (depending on your maintenance).
Q: What maintenance is required?
A: Just routine mopping or a “walk behind” scrubber — nothing unusual.
Q: Is it slippery?
A: No. The National Floor Safety Institute has awarded our floor a “high traction” rating, SCOF, of .60 or better, wet or dry.
Q: What is the cost?
A: Price varies on size and condition of the concrete. Here are 3 typical examples:
- Residential “Lofts” (multiple units). $5-10/s.f
- 30,000 s.f. Warehouse, new construction, wide open area, good concrete job. $2.50/s.f.
- 20,000 s.f. Warehouse, 20-year-old concrete, cracks, pitting, paint and epoxy, just plain horrible. $3.50 - $4.50/s.f.
Q: Are there any harmful VOCs?
A: No. This process is completely eco-friendly and perfect for green construction projects
Q: Where are people using it?
A: Warehouses, Restaurants, Schools, Retail Stores, Manufacturing, Residential, Auto Showroom and Service Areas, etc.
Q: What about stains?
A: Cleaning is easy. Just mop up the mess. Some oily stains if ignored will soak into the pores but will come back out over time.
Q: Do forklift tires mess it up?
A: No. Marks wipe off easily.
Q: What about 75-year-old concrete that is pitted, well worn, or has had coatings applied?
A: No problem. When we’re finished, your floor will be gorgeous.
Q: Can the shine be destroyed?
A: Yes, but it is not easy. If you pour muriatic acid on the floor, it will etch. Strong acids will destroy the shine. Etched areas are easily repaired…we can show you how to do it yourself.
Q: During construction when should polishing be done?
A: It depends. Edgework costs money. Sometimes it pays to do 6 of the 8 steps before the “build out” and then do the final 2 steps just before completion. Edgework controls the timing of our service.
Q: Is it good in schools?
A: It’s the perfect solution. It’s beautiful yet it’s durable and easily maintained.
Q: Where do you not recommend polished concrete in a school?
A: Offices and music rooms because of acoustics, and bathrooms because of the potential of urine etching.
Q: If a re-polish is needed in 5 or 10 years, what is the cost?
A: Typically 50¢/s.f.
Q: Is it dusty or messy?
A: No. Our state-of-the-art equipment makes the process almost dust free.
Q: How far will Decorative Concrete travel to polish concrete?
A: Throughout the Southeastern United States. Please contact us for details.
Q: What’s the #1 reason people polish concrete?
A: Actually, there are several #1 reasons, depending on the application:
- Residential — for its beauty.
- Commercial & Retail — for its trendy upscale look.
- Institutional — for its reduced maintenance.
- Green Construction — because it is eco-friendly.
Q: Are all concrete polishers the same?
A: Absolutely not. If corners are cut, your floor will not look good 5 to 10 years from now. “Fly by Nights” are entering this business everyday and damaging the industry by taking shortcuts and delivering disappointment.
Q: Can rain-damaged or carbonated concrete be polished?
A: Yes
Q: Will we work on a union job?
A: Yes, but the price may go up. All our pricing is based on non-union work.
Q: Do you apply a sealer?
A: No and Yes. We don’t apply an encapsulating sealer but we do apply a hardener that stops concrete dusting and helps the floor shine last longer.
Are you ready for a polished concrete floor? Learn more about polished concrete here.
Or, contact us TODAY and we will be more than happy to talk with you and give you a quote for a polished concrete floor in your building or home.
