Stained concrete has a coating on it to make a shine that is very durable. Polished concrete is just that – it’s polished rock and the actual surface is smooth. It’s a process that is designed to look good and last for years like granite and marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite. Marble is typically not foliated, although there are exceptions. In geology, the term "marble" refers to metamorphosed limestone, but its use in stonemasonry more broadly encompas…
Is staining concrete a good idea?
Stained concrete is one of the easiest ways to enhance your indoor and outdoor spaces with beautiful new floors. From staining an existing surface to resurfacing damaged concrete and replacing worn-out floor coverings, your floors can become better than new with durable, decorative concrete.
Why is polished concrete so popular?
Polished concrete does not require the use of waxes or other coatings, which is one of its key benefits. Also, polished concrete is very low maintenance and easy to clean. The only maintenance task required is to sweep and remove dust and mop the floor once in a while to clean up spilled liquid.
What are the pros and cons of polished concrete floors?
Pros of Polished Concrete FloorsHigh Traffic: Polished Concrete Floors are perfect for high traffic areas. ... Colour Options: You don't need to have standard concrete as your finished colour. ... Heating: ... Built to Withstand: ... Restoring Shine: ... Cost: ... Unforgiving: ... Cracking:More items...•
Is it cheaper to have stained concrete floors?
Starting at just $2 per square foot, a stained concrete floor is less expensive than tile, wood, or natural stone flooring. However, as you add customization, the price rises and becomes comparable to more expensive flooring like slate or marble.
Do polished concrete floors scratch easily?
Polished concrete flooring is extremely strong and resilient and is able to withstand the pressure from very heavy foot traffic and equipment. It is very difficult to damage and is nearly impossible to chip or scratch.
How long do polished concrete floors last?
Polished Concrete Floor Lifespans With professional concrete installation, a proactive polished concrete floor maintenance plan, and occasional deep cleaning, a polished concrete flooring system can last 20 years or more with minimal hassle.
What is the best finish for concrete floors?
Epoxy floors and polyurethane coatings will provide better chemical resistance and overall durability in these applications. Polished concrete floors generally cost $4-10+ a square foot to install, while grind and seal concrete floor installations can be as low as $1 a foot.
Does stained concrete scratch easily?
Concrete floors that are stained and sealed don't just look beautiful but are also very durable. But this does not mean they are invincible. If you don't take good care of them, they can develop scratch marks, become dull, and wear out over time. This happens much faster if the seal isn't applied properly.
Do polished concrete floors crack?
Also, in floors that are mechanically polished like our Husqvarna Hiperfloors or our MPC, the concrete is hardened and densified to up to 10 times its natural strength so it is much less likely to crack.
How much does it cost to professionally stain concrete?
Staining concrete typically costs $7 to $15 per square foot. Contractors charge between $2 and $4 per square foot for a simple stain job and between $12 and $25 per square foot for high-end designs.
Is stained concrete slippery?
Like any hard, smooth surface, stained concrete can become slippery when wet, especially if it has been coated with a high-gloss sealer. For concrete floors or walkways exposed to moisture or in areas with a lot of foot traffic, there are ways you can increase the slip resistance without affecting the color.
Can you stain already poured concrete?
Your existing old concrete should be fine to stain, so long as it is not contaminated with glue, paint, oil, grease, sealers, waxes, or anything else that would prevent the stain from soaking into the pores of the concrete.
Are polished concrete floors still in style?
Yes, it's a thing. As part of a new indoor style of design, polished concrete floors are quickly finding a home in today's modern decor themes.
Is it cheaper to tile or polish concrete?
Because material and labor costs for tile are high, polished concrete is often significantly less expensive than tile in new residential construction and renovation. Depending on slab size and gloss level, a cream polished concrete floor is generally $3.50 to $5 per square foot.
Is polished concrete better than epoxy?
Polished concrete is preferred over epoxy flooring because of its compressive strength, beautiful look, and its' resistance to most toxic chemicals and substances. Polished concrete flooring is ideal for garages that will not be subjected to harsh chemicals and materials of extreme pH substances.
Are polished concrete floors in style?
Polished concrete floors are synonymous with modern luxury. Over the last decade, they've become one of the most prevalent flooring solutions for luxury home construction.
What are the major differences between stained concrete and polished concrete floors?
Typically, polished concrete jobs are about $2 to $5 higher per square foot than a stained contract project. That upfront cost is higher because it requires more equipment and has a more involved installation process. However, when the customers do the math, they often find that the return on investment for polished concrete durability is quite good. On the other hand, a stained concrete floor is essentially a coating system designed to achieve a desired look. For that reason, customers need to be more diligent about protecting and maintaining those coatings.
What is polished concrete?
For polished concrete, you’re talking about high-wear areas, such as large retail stores, warehouses, stadium concourses or even restaurants that choose to invest the upfront expense in exchange for lower maintenance.
Are there substantial maintenance differences between these surfaces?
While there’s no such thing as a ‘no maintenance’ surface, polished concrete is probably the lowest overall maintenance system that we installed. When you polish concrete it closes the pores. That helps it resist staining and moisture, so routine maintenance is basically a powered floor scrubber, a wet mop or a neutral cleaner.
Can you stain concrete with acetone?
With stained concrete, examples might be salons, smaller retail shops, restaurants or residential patios — anywhere people really want that variegated look from an acid-etch stain, or the faux finish you can get from acetone dye or semi-transparent stain products.
Can you etch concrete with acid stain?
On stained concrete projects, there are some differences. With an acid stain, the color is literally etched or ‘burned’ into the concrete, so etching is not needed in the surface preparation steps. With other stain product options, either mechanical grinding or an acid wash for surface preparation needs to be used.
Can you provide a quick installation overview for polished and stained concrete?
For polished concrete, the surface is typically prepared with a grinder to open up the concrete pores. Then, follow up with multiple passes of successively finer-grit diamond products, along with chemicals like liquid hardener & densifier, to get the desired finish. If the customer wants color, dye stain could be applied before densifying, and then finish it off with a guard coat.
What is stained concrete?
On the other hand, a stained concrete floor is essentially a coating system designed to achieve a desired look. For that reason, customers need to be more diligent about protecting and maintaining those coatings.".
Why is the upfront cost of concrete higher?
That upfront cost is higher because it requires more equipment and has a more involved installation process. However, when larger companies do the math, they often find that the return on investment for polished concrete durability is quite good.
Does H&C polish concrete?
Jeff: "While there's no such thing as a ‘no maintenance' surface, polished concrete is probably the lowest overall maintenance system that H&C sells. When you polish concrete it closes the pores. That helps it resist staining and moisture, so routine maintenance is basically a powered floor scrubber, a wet mop or a neutral cleaner. While daily maintenance on a stained concrete floor is essentially the same, there is more long-term expense in reapplying clear coats or protective waxes. The life of the coating system is largely dependent on wear. If one area sustains a lot of scratches or heavy traffic, those activities can sometimes get through the coating and remove color in that particular spot."
What is stained concrete?
On the other hand, a stained concrete floor is essentially a coating system designed to achieve a desired look. For that reason, customers need to be more diligent about protecting and maintaining those coatings.".
Why is the upfront cost of concrete higher?
That upfront cost is higher because it requires more equipment and has a more involved installation process. However, when larger companies do the math, they often find that the return on investment for polished concrete durability is quite good.
The History of Concrete
3000 BC – the pyramids were built using the earliest forms of concrete 300 BC – Roman architecture the Colosseum and the Pantheon used animal products in the cement as an early form of admixtures 1824 – Portland Cement was invented 1836 – the first test of tensile and compressive strength took place in Germany 1889 – Alvord Lake Bridge was built in San Francisco – it still stands today 1891 – the first concrete street in America was built in Bellefontaine, Ohio 1903 – The first concrete high rise was built in Cincinnati, Ohio 1908 – The first concrete home was built by Thomas Edison in Union, New Jersey 1913 – The first load of ready mix was delivered in Baltimore, Maryland 1915 – colored concrete was introduced, and has done nothing but grow since 1936 – Hoover Dam was completed 1950s – Decorative concreted was developed 1963 – The first concrete domed sports arena was built at the University of Illinois 1970s – Fiber reinforcement was introduced as a way to strengthen concrete 1980s – Concrete countertops were introduced to new homes 1990 – Concrete scoring, staining, and engraving were introduced 1999 – Polished concrete was introduced in a 40,000 square foot warehouse floor for the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
Stained Concrete Flooring
One date that should be on this timeline is 1994. That’s the year that Mack Kimbrough of Concrete Creations LLC started his career in concrete. He was introduced to decorative concrete and most of his work centered around decorative overlays on pool decks, patios, and driveways.
Polished Concrete Flooring
In 2008, life changed for many people, primarily for small businesses like Mack’s. The economic recession set in and it brought new construction, primarily new homes, to a halt. Not only was the American dream at stake, but so were many businesses.
Granite and Marble Surfaces
In the last ten years there has been a sharp rise in the demand for granite and marble surfaces in new homes. The natural look and shine of granite and marble is what people are expecting when they ask for concrete floors. “I get calls from people who ask for stained concrete, but what they really want is polished concrete.
Polished Concrete vs. Stained Concrete
Mack Kimbrough and many other contractors believe that concrete flooring is the best option for floors. It’s easy to clean, looks good for a long time, it’s economical to install, and it absorbs air conditioning in the summer months and heat in the winter months to keep homes comfortable.
What is polished concrete?
Yup, you guessed it, polished concrete trumps over sealed concrete in any way you look at it.
How long do polished concrete floors last?
Some polished concrete floors are known to last for 20 years if maintained well. We can’t say the same about sealed concrete floors. Sealed concrete floors are a cheap flooring solution. These types of floors are usually done in shallow traffic areas just for minimal protection.
What is the process of putting sealer on concrete?
The installation process goes something like this: the concrete is cleaned and allowed to dry. A layer of acrylic sealer is similarly spread on the concrete as paint would.
Why isn't concrete flooring sealed?
Mechanical damage to the floors due to heavier traffic is also one reason why sealed concrete floors are not a great choice. Walking over these floors will start chipping away at the sealer on its own until you will need to lay another layer of sealer to preserve the concrete underneath.
Why do you need a sealed concrete floor?
While some sealed concrete floors are primarily designed to prevent moisture from penetrating under the finished floor , sealed concrete is being used as a cheap floor finish in low-traffic areas. Sealed floors do not look great, and you will not be able to see a clear mirror-like reflection in them as you would with polished concrete floors that were finished right.
What grit grinding tool is used to shave off a tiny layer of concrete?
While lower grit tools are used to shave off a tiny layer off the concrete, higher grit tools are used to close off the concrete’s pores. One crucial step is not to forget that happens anywhere between 80 grit and 400 grit grinding, depending on how hard or soft the floor is.
Is sealed concrete low maintenance?
While polished concrete floors are generally a pretty low maintenance flooring solution, sealed concrete requires quite intense work in shorter periods. It will cost much less initially; however, the costs will start adding up quickly with each rewaxing of the floors. Sealed concrete can be used on walls or areas with low traffic.
