Polishing Finishes
The finish of a polished concrete floor is determined by two elements, gloss level and aggregate exposure. These two elements provide a variety of different looks for your floor. In order to get closest to the desired gloss level and aggregate exposure, it is key to have the right specifications and to ensure the concrete is poured/finished properly.
Gloss Levels
Gloss levels are achieved by grinding the concrete repeatedly with finer and finer diamond pads.
Level 1 Gloss - Flat (Ground)
Distinctiveness of Image (DOI)
Images of objects being reflected have a flat appearance
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Image Clarity Value
0-9%
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Haze Index
<10
Level 2 Gloss - Satin (Honed)
Distinctiveness of Image (DOI)
Images of objects being reflected have a matte appearance
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Image Clarity Value
10-39%
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Haze Index
<10
Level 3 Gloss - Polished
Distinctiveness of Image (DOI)
Images of objects being reflected do not have a sharp and crisp appearance but can be easily identified.
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Image Clarity Value
40-69%
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Haze Index
<10
Level 4 Gloss - Highly Polished
Distinctiveness of Image (DOI)
Images of objects being reflected have a sharp and crisp appearance as would be seen in a near-mirror like reflection. May require grouting.
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Image Clarity Value
0-9%
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Haze Index
<10
Gloss Level Chart
Aggregate Exposure
Class A - Cement Fines
Surface Exposure of Aggregate
85 – 95 % Cement Fines
5 – 15 % Fine Aggregate
Class B Aggregate Exposure
Surface Exposure of Aggregate
85 – 95 % Fine Aggregate
5 – 15 % Blend of Cement Fines and Coarse Aggregate
Class C Aggregate Exposure
Surface Exposure of Aggregate
80 – 90 % Coarse Aggregate
10 – 20 % Blend of Cement Fines and Fine Aggregate
Aggregate Exposure Level Chart
FAQs
1.) Is polished concrete slippery?
Polished concrete may look slippery, but it is slip-resistant. When kept clean and dry, they are very safe floors. Also, the sealer we add at the end of every job adds additional traction.
2.) How long does polished concrete last?
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Polished concrete has a hardness or density that no other flooring solution has. Polished concrete floors should last a lifetime if maintained properly. However, the floor will need a little attention from time to time to insure it is holding up to the demands of the customer.
3.) Does polished concrete require continual maintenance?
Polished concrete floors are easier to clean and maintain compared to other flooring options. The amount of maintenance depends mainly on the amount of foot traffic, but polished floors are rather simple to maintain by sweeping or mopping.
4.) How long should I wait to walk on the floor after sealing?
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Polished floors can be opened to light foot traffic 30 minutes after the sealer has been applied.
5.) Why should I choose polished concrete over Epoxy or other coating solutions?
Floor coatings such as epoxy wear away from the surface and much be re-coated frequently. Polished concrete will save a company money in the long-run as there is very low cost in maintaining a polished floor.
6.) How much does polished concrete cost?
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Polished concrete can cost anywhere from $1 a square foot to $10 a square foot dependent on several variables. One variable is the shape of the concrete. The better the shape (no coatings on floor, new concrete, etc.) the lower the cost will be. Another major factor is size. The larger the job, the less the floor will cost as we specialize in very large areas.