What Should You Know About Polished Concrete Floor?
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With several similar designations available on the market, many people have doubts as to what a polished concrete floor is.
Basically, it is one of the variations of the burnt coating, which is applied as a finish to the floor surface, and undergoes a polishing process with the help of tools and products that will guarantee the final strength of the floor.
The peculiarities of the application technique are responsible for ensuring the specific effect of polished concrete, as well as the advantages of its application.
The polished concrete floor offers benefits with its application. The following are the main reasons for its popularity:
The polished concrete floor is of high strength and durability and can be executed for industrial performance. Thus, it has a longer lifespan than other common floor coverings, such as woods, carpets, and ceramics.
Due to its surface treatment, the polished concrete floor has a smooth finish and does not accumulate dirt or dust when properly protected. Thus, it is easy to maintain and clean.
The cost of applying the polished concrete floor is greatly reduced when compared to other types of coating. In addition, since it requires low maintenance and does not require the application of specific cleaning products, the costs for its preservation are also minimal.
Polished concrete coating is able to significantly reduce the proliferation of microorganisms, such as molds, fungi, dust mites, and bacteria. Thus, it promotes the health of users of the environment and is ideal for places with children, the elderly and people with allergic problems or respiratory diseases.
This type of finish can be applied in the most diverse environments, being an advantageous option for different spaces.
Because it is a well-known type of floor that has been used for decades by the industry, it is very easy to find companies capable of executing polished concrete floors correctly and very quickly.
The polished concrete floor can be used to create decorative compositions, adapting well to the rustic, industrial, modern or contemporary style. In addition, the concrete coating can be pigmented to suit the colors of the project, further increasing the possibilities of customizing and applying the material.
Although the floor of concrete Polished has lower resistance and performance requirements for residential and commercial use when compared to industrial areas, for example, the precautions to guarantee a good result are the same in all cases.
There are variables that must be considered from the planning phase to the execution and finishing process, depending on each application case and the desired result.
Thus, it is important to hire professionals trained to perform advanced execution techniques and use the specific tools necessary in each situation, ensuring that the desired durability and aesthetic standard will be achieved.
There is more than one way to make the polished concrete floor structure. Although the most common use is the reinforced structure, in which concrete is applied on top of a metal screen, some spaces may require more specific solutions, such as industrial environments.
Thus, the specification for the use of metal fibers, polypropylene macrofibers or even the application of a prestressed floor may be required in some cases - in which the floor design will be important to plan the application and add all the necessary information regarding the technique to be used.
The application of the polished concrete floor has a specific trait that must be followed to allow the finish to be carried out. The resistance and tonality of the result will depend on the stroke used, and therefore due attention must be paid to this detail at the time of execution. If there are any changes in materials, thickness or trace, the floor may have its durability and performance compromised.
After concreting, the polished concrete floor will undergo the leveling process, which will be responsible for ensuring a flat and adequate result. Once everything is in order, it is necessary to wait for the peak period, which is part of Concrete curing, to then carry out the finishing.
Each type of finish will be performed with a different technique, applying specific products and using the machines in different ways - hence the importance of having specialized labor and quality products.
The joints are the small cuts that will allow the natural expansion of the concrete, preventing thermal and mechanical movements of the structure from causing cracks or displacements, compromising the durability of the floor.
Usually, expansion joints are performed with the help of saws, and they must follow the rules to eliminate the possibility of the appearance of cracks or cracks.
Because it is smooth, the polished concrete floor surface does not require special cleaning care. Thus, it eliminates the use of chemicals, which can be abrasive and result in stains and damage to the floor.
Any floor is subject to wear and tear due to use and time. With the polished concrete floor, this is no different.
Despite its low maintenance, over time, it may show signs of deterioration, requiring intervention to remain in good condition and preserve its quality for many years.
In this sense, there is the process of hardening, in which a product is applied to the existing floor to ensure greater resistance and renew the material, resulting in a stronger and more durable floor.
The polished concrete floor really has a lot to offer for any environment. Here at Blok, we are specialists in solutions for applying this type of floor, and we work with various products to guarantee a quality result. Learn more about the products on our site and visit our blog for more exclusive content!
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