September, Concrete Today Magazine, www.concretetoday.com

Defining Polished Concrete

By Sharon Harry

Polished concrete has been around for a while, but it is only within the last ten years that it has been considered a mainstream flooring option. Though traditionally found in warehouse and industrial applications, polished concrete seems to have caught the eye of designers around the country and its use has grown significantly in the last five years to penetrate the retail, residential, and commercial markets. As the global market continues to trend toward more and more sustainable construction, it is anticipated that polished concrete’s popularity will continue to climb.

Despite its favor (or perhaps because of it!), there are still many misconceptions and differing opinions on what polished concrete really is. Without a standard, this lack of consensus can be very detrimental to the industry, as providers of polished concrete and designers/owners using polished concrete need to be on the same page for the performance expectations and aesthetic value of the floor. Also, polishers need to ensure they are bidding against comparable scopes of work.

Defining Polished Concrete:

In the quest to develop the polished concrete standard, the International Polished Concrete Institute states not just a definition, but also a methodology clarification for polished concrete. “Polished concrete is a process which enhances the natural beauty of existing concrete by hardening and applying a sheen to the concrete. There are two primary methods to create this sheen: Topical or Mechanical.” While both methods will provide a sealed floor, mechanical polished concrete is preferred in most applications due to its extended longevity, low maintenance, sustainability, and stunning esthetic. Just as every slab of marble or granite is unique, each polished concrete floor contains its own characteristics. This stone-like, mottled appearance is very appealing, and adds character to the floor.

Polished Concrete Methodology:

A Topical Polish is a product treatment rolled or sprayed onto the surface of the concrete to seal it. Examples of this are epoxies, wax coatings, and buffed hardeners. If a higher sheen is preferred, many applications require a buffing or burnishing step to create a shine. While the concrete will have a coated, sealed appearance, the concrete will retain its coarse texture, and any inconsistencies in the surface will remain visible.

Mechanical ground and polished concrete was developed from ancient stone polishing techniques, and uses diamond tools in conjunction with the downward pressure of floor grinding equipment to peel away the top layer of the concrete. Similar to wood flooring, progressively finer grits of diamonds are used until the desired patina results. The final appearance is a monolithic sheen that can range from a glossy shine to a matte finish, depending on the clients preference.

Polishers most typically use a dry polishing method, which will utilize a commercial vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter to capture 98% of airborne particulates, and allowing for easy (and safe!) dust disposal. Wet grinding can also be utilized, but the resulting byproduct is a messy slurry, which is high in alkaline and causes some potential environmental concerns.

Sustainable Flooring:

Conserving the earth’s natural resources and reducing the environmental impact of construction are huge endeavors that have taken on a global focus. Using polished concrete as the floor finish is one of the most sustainable flooring options available. As a concrete slab is a required element for almost all construction projects, polishing that slab to provide a finish will not require the harvest, manufacture, and transport of additional material. There is no material sitting on top of the slab that will end up in a land-fill when it comes time to replace it. Should a repolish be desired, it can be completed with very little waste at a fraction of the initial installation cost.

Sharon Harry serves as Creative Director of the International Polished Concrete Institute. For more information about polished concrete, Sharon may be contacted at Sharon.Harry@ipcionline.org