Concrete floors have a bad reputation for being ugly, and while they’re certainly long-lasting and durable, the standard look of a concrete floor can be less than appealing. This doesn’t have to be the case though. If you’re looking for a way to make your floor look better and to give it that high gloss look that takes the entire space up a notch, here’s how to make that happen.
Pour & Smooth
The most impressive floors begin long before the actual polishing. When you pour the concrete, you need to make sure that it is levelled correctly and
floated. Use a trowel to get the surface as smooth as possible. The smoother it is, to begin with at least, the easier it will be to get that fine, glassy finish later.
Prepare For Polishing
It’s important to let the concrete cure completely. If it’s remotely damp, you won’t get the desired finish. Before you polish, take the time to thoroughly
clean the floor. This means you should sweep and mop to ensure there is no debris lying around.
Sand It Down
To polish the floor, you’ll need to use a diamond polisher. This is the quickest method of getting that shiny finish. To begin with, you’ll start with the coarser
option, which is usually enough to polish the surface to an acceptable level. However, there’s a strong chance that it will fail to provide that shine you so
desperately desire. Do the entire floor before sweeping, mopping, and then going over it again with the finest grit option.
The grinding should be done by moving the concrete grinder in circular motions and doing one section at a time as you move across the floor. Be sure not to
miss any areas or it will be rather noticeable later.
Seal For Protection
The final step, once you have achieved the slickness you want from the concrete, is to clean it all up and then apply a sealant. Concrete floor polish offers
you the necessary protection to ensure it doesn’t get scratched easily and to preserve the look. The sealant will also prevent liquids from staining the floor,
though you will need to clean them up in a timely fashion.
Maintaining Your Shine
To prevent the need for re-polishing and sealing, you’ll want to take care of your concrete. Here’s what you should be doing:
- Clean daily. This removes any grit or debris that could affect the finish.
- Clean spills immediately to prevent them from soaking in.
- Use felt pads on furniture to keep the legs from scratching the floor.
- Reseal as needed to maintain the protective finish.
Your concrete floor should look amazing for a very long time if you do these things.
Are you planning to pour a concrete floor for a building? Forth Valley Concrete can provide you with the right concrete mix to ensure your floor looks great.