FloorRescue Concrete Floor Systems

How Polished Concrete is Classified

Cream Polish - Level 1

Medium Aggregate Exposure - Level 3

Salt & Pepper Finish - Level 2

cream polished concrete floors in Texas and burnished concrete in Dallas

Salt & Pepper Finish - Level 2

Medium Aggregate Exposure - Level 3

Salt & Pepper Finish - Level 2

some cream removed, finer sands exposed and polished

Medium Aggregate Exposure - Level 3

some grinding exposing small to medium to large aggregates throughout

Large Aggregate - Level 4

Medium Aggregate Exposure - Level 3

polished concrete floors with consistent large aggregate exposure throughout

Dye or Color

Large Aggregate - Level 4

Cement Toppings

polished concrete floors with stains, dyes or color added

Color Chart

Cement Toppings

Large Aggregate - Level 4

Cement Toppings

polished concrete floor toppings + self-leveling cements

Learn more

Serving Dallas Architects, Designers and Builders in Texas

Polished Concrete Texas, new construction in Dallas with polished concrete floors and exposed rock

New Construction or New Concrete Slabs

We recommend a 3500psi / 5 sack concrete mix design or greater when deciding to pour and polish a new concrete slab. Commercial slabs are 4500psi generally and you can see the difference in their strength, surface tension and polished beauty.

FloorRescue also offers the Silicrete System from BC Decorative Concrete Supply for new concrete pours that want a nice salt & pepper honed concrete or polished concrete floor.

See our complete gallery of new construction projects and Silicrete Systems new concrete slab polishing.

Polished Concrete TRU Overlay in Dallas, TX, high end new home polished concrete in North Dallas

Seamless Polished Concrete Cement Toppings

When a new seamless look or more controlled look is needed, or the existing concrete slab isn't suitable to be polished, polishable overlays or self-leveling cement toppings give us opportunity for a new design. These give the client a completely new choice of flooring as all things can be controlled, including color, aggregate, depth, etc.

See our complete gallery of polished concrete overlays

See Amazon project for Scott + Reid using CTS Cement TRU

Polished Concrete Floors North Dallas Gym, Black Polished Concrete Floors, Texas polished concrete

Polished Concrete Floors with Color or Dye

The strength in a polished concrete floor comes from the penetrating hardener (densifier) and the refinement process. This floor was polished high and hardened twice as well as color dye applied to complete a beautiful looking and industrial performing concrete floor.

Originally two separate retail spaces converted into one. Tile and moisture guard removed, floors ground, and multiple concrete repairs made.

See before and after photos of this commercial project

Polished Concrete Commercial Remodel at 3 Phase Technologies in Arlington, TX, aggressive grinding

Commercial Floors, Residential Remodels and Older Concrete Slabs

When polishing older concrete or a concrete slab that's previously been covered with flooring, its very rare that the process doesn't begin with an aggressive grinding approach. The cream look is removed and aggregate begins to be exposed. The reason is simple, surface issues and contaminants must be removed first as well as exposing consistently clean and smooth porous concrete before and approach may begin.

See our complete gallery of both residential and commercial remodeling projects.

The Concrete Polishing Process

FloorRescue Polished Concrete explained in greater depth

Polished Concrete is a multi-step process where a concrete floor can either be mechanically ground, honed and polished with metal, ceramic, and resin-bonded diamond abrasives in order to cut, refine and polish a concrete floor’s surface. Inspired by natural stone polishing which began in Italy at the turn of the last century (believe it or not), polished concrete floors have revolutionized the flooring industry making the most out of a surface we used to tragically cover up...CONCRETE!

We classify polished concrete floors by 4 classes of concrete, or aggregate exposure, and 4 different levels of sheen, or gloss appearance. Many hybrid systems and unique approaches are made based on concrete hardness, density, current conditions and appearances. In Texas, we find many different concrete conditions, however it’s very rare that a concrete slab can’t be honed or polished out. If that's the case, then a self-leveling cement or polishable concrete topping can be poured to achieve a custom diamond polished concrete floor.

(to learn more about concrete, its makeup, uses, & importance today, see link below)

https://www.concrete.org (ACI American Concrete Institute)

(for more info on polished concrete, see links below)

CPC (Concrete Polishing Counsel)

Polished Concrete Specifications | ASSC (American Society of Concrete Contractors)

The Concrete Polishing Process by floorrescue, large aggregate exposure polished concrete Dallas

Polished Concrete in Dallas with Large Aggregate Exposure

LinkedIn Article by FloorRescue

Polished Concrete requires skilled precision + craftsmanship

Concrete Polishing is Highly Skilled Work

Polishing Concrete is a highly skilled and technical installation. It takes years to become a qualified or certified installer, one who reads concrete conditions well and adjusts according to the surface needs of any project while maintaining install integrity & quality craftsmanship! Here, at FloorRescue, that will always be our AIM and practice! We treat each concrete slab or surface uniquely & respectively, knowing concrete has limitations, defects & specific challenges accompanied from its organic make up and the nature of remodeling & construction abroad.

Any polished concrete or decorative concrete project is ALWAYS approached from two main influences:

1. Current Concrete Conditions already in place

2. What we want our Floors to look like, resemble, & how they need to perform

ALL CONCRETE FLOORS ARE NOT THE SAME!!

In the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex and throughout Texas, we see many variables with concrete such as hardness, density, varying degrees of color or shades, aggregates, etc contributing to the overall look and feel of any concrete polishing project. Today, polished concrete can be colored, stained, or dyed as well. We have integral color options for newly placed concrete & cement toppings, too, which offer custom aggregate blends, color, glass, and more. When pouring new concrete, many of these factors can be controlled by specific mix designs, Silicrete finishing aid and polish systems, and good concrete finishers.

Repairs can be color matched, joints filled, cracks disguised, and pinholes can be grout coated to name a few modern methods of making a polished concrete project turn out beautiful. Details define a beautiful polished concrete floor every time.

As is just about anything, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We are simply guides, here to serve you and walk you through the process protecting you (by our experience) and leading you through the process..

Polished Concrete Floors in Dallas Texas by FloorRescue, Dallas AIA, concrete designs, awards

Concrete Polishing to the Rescue | read the story of this amazing transformation (Concrete Network)

Does Polished Concrete have to be a high gloss finish?

Polished Concrete Sheen Levels

One of the great beauties of polishing concrete is the differences. We categorize polished concrete by both aggregate exposure (seen in the chart below) and sheen levels (seen above). Sheen levels are matte, satin or semi-gloss, gloss, high gloss and extreme gloss. Anything below a gloss finish is defined as a honed concrete floor, here at FloorRescue (in order to make distinction - see diagram).

As the term polished, by nature, refers to a shine, we break down the shine or sheen levels to meet everyone's design need. Also, just because its shiny, doesn't mean its slippery either. Slippery floors have everything to do with the top finish not just the appearance. However, just about any floor with puddles on it will be slippery. Penetrating sealers and polished concrete guards meet all slip resistant ratings of today's market standards to keep everyone safe.

polished concrete floor in Irving, TX with industrial metal at BioWorld Merchandising by FloorRescue

polished concrete floors at 1500 grit

high gloss guard finish

BioWorld in Irving, TX

The Benefits of Polished Concrete floors

Increases the Life Span of Your Concrete

Through mechanical grinding, honing and concrete polishing with the addition of densifiers & hardeners, your polished concrete floors become durable, tough, and resilient increasing abrasion resistance & the hardness of your concrete floor by 40%.

*If you haven't noticed, concrete actually erodes outside quicker and wears down faster in interiors than people think when left untreated. It does walk off and will increasingly becomes a worser problem.

Hypo-Allergenic + Safe

Increases the Life Span of Your Concrete

polished concrete flooring is hypo-allergenic and safe for homes and businesses

Polished Concrete won't trap allergens, dust mites, mold, mildew, bacteria or moisture. This means that none of these will be present in your polished concrete floors keeping homes and facilities safe for your team members, families, and loved ones.

LEED Friendly + Green

Increases the Life Span of Your Concrete

Aesthetically Pleasing

polished concrete flooring is LEED friendly and safe for the environment

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) points earned because polished concrete floors contains NO VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds), making it beneficial for LEED projects. No landfill waste with disposable materials such as old, damaged or contaminated flooring, making restoring (diamond polishing) old concrete and preserving new concrete a part of a more sustainable building.

US Green Building Council

Aesthetically Pleasing

Most Cost-Effective Flooring Solutions

Aesthetically Pleasing

polished concrete flooring is beautiful and attractive when properly done

Polished Concrete, with so many decorative options, can take on the look of beautiful stone, terrazzo (aggregate exposure), modern styles, and vibrant color options adding beauty and class to any space or setting.

See Gallery

Most Cost-Effective Flooring Solutions

polished concrete is cost-effective and long lasting, does require maintenance though like anything

One of the lowest life cycle costs of any flooring choice today. Restorations of polished concrete are minimal in costs as compared to the initial installation.

Increased Slip Resistance

Most Cost-Effective Flooring Solutions

Meets or exceeds OSHA slip-coefficient standards (ASTM C 1028) or Coefficient of Friction (COF) for concrete floors

ASTM website

Low Maintenance + Durability

Eliminates Concrete Dusting + Efflorescence

polished concrete floors are low maintenance and have great durability for retail spaces

Easy to maintain, polished concrete floors when installed by our industry's standards, have simple, low-cost maintenance procedures preserving the look and performance of polished concrete flooring.

Restore your polished concrete

Eliminates Concrete Dusting + Efflorescence

polished concrete eliminates dusting (densifier) and efflorescence in most cases

Tightened and sealed off through the concrete polishing process, the natural breathing methods of the slab are now controlled and modified to prevent dusting from efflorescence or hydrostatic pressure coming up through the concrete causing unwanted problems. Unfortunately, there are exceptions to the rule, when there extreme moisture situations due to acts of God, natural disasters, poor construction under the slab, natural springs, leaks, etc.

Moisture Problems in your concrete?