The world's foremost resource on decorative concrete
Polished concrete is a process of progressive mechanical grinding, honing, densifying and polishing a concrete surface. This is done to achieve an aesthetically pleasing, highly durable, light-reflective finish.
The “Florida cracker” cowboy rode off into the sunset long ago. But thanks to a design team’s partnership with decorative concrete company Edwards Concrete, residents of a central Florida community can immerse themselves in the region’s frontier days.
As a polishing consultant I get to wear several different hats, but by far the largest amount of my time is spent managing polished concrete programs for retailers. Polished concrete is an aesthetically beautiful and valuable flooring solution, but it is fairly specialized.
The Harley dealership is a leader in sales and rider satisfaction for the entire Mid-Atlantic region, and its headquarters reflects its ethics. The 31,000-square-foot facility boasts a modern industrial theme, with cathedral 25-foot ceilings and marblesque floors.
The concrete polishing industry has seen technical developments in abrasives, chemicals and equipment over the years. Most of these developments have led to polishing contractors increasing production and reducing job costs for increased profit.
In our industry we are often asked: What’s the gloss on the floor? Or, did you hit the gloss readings that are in the specification?
Colloidal silica was introduced as a concrete densifier many years ago, and it has proven itself a reliable tool for concrete polishers and others needing to harden or densify cured concrete surfaces. However, there is widespread confusion about what it is, and this confusion can lead to misinformation. This article attempts to bring some clarification.
When you are asked how well you understand dyes, are you confident? Maybe you shouldn’t be. Unless you or your customers have art or design backgrounds, or you have been burned on a project, you are probably naïve.
ST115 is a new standard for the concrete polishing industry that was adopted in fall 2013 by the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association (CSDA). The standard explains in detail how to measure the texture of a concrete surface by using a texture meter.
Within the concrete industry there is a common misconception that polished concrete means no maintenance, when in reality keeping up a polished floor simply requires low maintenance.
An expert’s tips on how to use these common household items to make your decorative concrete work easier and more beautiful.
