A
complete concept for polishing concrete. This method mechanically
refines the concrete surface by removing the top cement paste
and exposing the underlying, stronger concrete. The existing
concrete is ground and polished according to a dependable and
thoroughly tested method with Concrete Finishes' effective machines
and diamond tools. And because it's a dry, virtually dust-free
process, the system's safety rating is unparalleled. The end
result is a floor with a completely even surface with unlimited
architectural possibilities. The glossy, smooth surface that
polished concrete brings is beyond comparison.
Densifying The Concrete
A deep penetrating hardener called a densifier is used to saturate
the concrete floor during the polishing process. This increases
the integrity of the concrete up to 10 times its original density
- transforming porous floors into a dense surface that inhibits
water, oil and other contaminants from penetrating the surface.
More importantly, a densifier adds abrasion/impact resistance
to a concrete floor and reduces overall maintenance.
About
The Science - How It Works
As the densifier penetrates the concrete, it reacts with the
lime and calcium carbonate that is present and changes it
into a crystalline structure. Essentially, during the process,
a chemical reaction occurs and through the structure forms
a gel that hardens into a silica type material. Basically,
because concrete gets its strength and durability from the
aggregate in the concrete, a polished concrete system adds
aggregate to the matrix creating a superstrong surface.
The system can be used for both existing and new concrete
floors. Concrete Finishes' polished concrete process consists
of multiple steps of mechanical grinding and polishing. Depending
on the current condition of the floor, the process may require
more or less steps. The first steps prepare the floor by flattening
and leveling it using metal bond diamond grindings that are
crucial to ensure proper finishing and safety standards. The
last steps use resin bond diamonds for polishing to seal the
floor and create a matte, satin or glossy finish. Concrete
Finishes uses a VOC compliant polishing method to bring out
the natural strength and beauty of the concrete.
To create a genuine polished concrete, you need the right
machines, tools and knowledge. In a leading position, Concrete
Finishes is constantly developing their system to give you
the best results!
Typical
Use - Aesthetic and Practical
Concrete is a material that invites a natural building style
where every material's inherent beauty is respected. A polished
concrete floor gives the surface a smooth, glossy finish with
an incredible brilliance that lends an exclusive feeling to
any environment. The floor has an excellent ability to reflect
light which makes open spaces appear brighter. It also has
a long life cycle to retain its appearance after years of
wear and tear in heavy industries.
Any environment that requires a durable and aesthetical floor
like malls, museums, exhibition halls, public buildings, schools
and industries can gain from this system. Common in a variety
of public sectors with industrial buildings being the biggest
market, ground and polished concrete is very well suited for
heavy industries and should always be considered.
Economical
A floor
is an investment. As a consumer, you expect a durable, long
lasting flooring system. Polished concrete is an excellent
choice because the cost of production is low and the life
cycle long, thanks to its wearing qualities. To further contribute
to the advantages of polished concrete, durability has been
proven during rough conditions in heavy industries and maintenance
costs are extremely low.
Healthy Environment
Contributes to the working environment in many ways. Not only
does an aesthetically appealing surface brighten up the daily
life for both staff and visitors, there are more measurable
advantages. Concrete has a very good sound absorbing ability,
especially when it comes to low frequencies.
When applying this floor system, the concrete is ground and
polished free from ecologically harmful chemicals. The only
cleaning compounds you need are mild soap and water, harmless
to the environment and lenient to the floor.
Product Features
Dense, polished surface helps protect against absorption of
oil and other contaminants.
Resists tire marks from fork trucks and other traffic.
40% more abrasion resistant than unfinished concrete.
20% increase in impact resistance than unfinished concrete.
30% increase in ambient light reflection from unfinished concrete.
High slip coefficient of friction.
Flatter, more level surface.
Easily add color to existing concrete during the process.
Removes top layer to expose new concrete.
No down time waiting on chemical processes to cure.
One time application with minimal maintenance.
Lower maintenance costs with less wear on cleaning equipment
and consumables.
Long life cycle.
Dry, dust-free grind filters out 99.9% of all airborne dust.
No VOC's.
No coating, urethane, waxes or topical coatings applied.
No slurry.
Dyes for environmentally friendly coloring
Colours and Textures Available:
The possibilities to customize a concrete floor are countless.
Appearance of the concrete is influenced by the color of the
ballast (stone), the size of stones and their distribution.
Custom colours can also be added with 11 intense palettes
to choose from. The concrete floor can also be ground to varying
depths and polished to a matte, satin or glossy finish.
|