Polished Concrete Floors

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)

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.. 

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.