Torn between polished concrete floors and honed concrete floors? Read on, and we will tell you which may be the best fit for your needs. The concrete polishing industry is expanding at an astonishing speed. It has only been in recent years that architects, engineers, land developers, interior designers, and general contractors have begun to pay more attention to the concrete polishing and other concrete processing stages that have been undertaken for more than a decade. As market demand grows, contractors who get involved now and invest the necessary time to learn about the complexities and variables involved in the process will reap the benefits as the market grows.
And inclined to such, is also the plethora of flooring solution options being offered. As a homeowner, it could be very daunting to make a choice, especially with the absence of basic know-how regarding its technical jargon. Choosing the most appropriate Sydney flooring solutions from the outset will have the most impact on the long-term sustainability and economic feasibility of your property investment. And, regardless of your preferred design style, selecting flooring that complements it is an imperative requirement. Being one of the most often used surfaces in our homes, flooring needs to be durable and long-lasting while also maintaining its exquisite aesthetic appeal.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of flooring alternatives available and to lose sight of the important practical considerations that must be taken into consideration when selecting a flooring solution. When it comes to deciding which to choose, you may have already narrowed your selections down to two possibilities — polished concrete and honed concrete flooring. Here’s a breakdown of which may be the best fit for your needs.
It’s common to think of flawless, sleek surfaces when we hear the terms honed concrete Sydney and polished concrete floors. These types of surfaces are commonly employed as a flooring solution. Both materials have their own inherent qualities that distinguish them from one another, despite the fact that they appear to be identical in sound. For the most part, honed concrete flooring builders will use these words interchangeably, which can lead to misinterpretation among the general public. In order to acquire the desired finish, honed concrete and polished concrete both go through a mechanical process in which the outside surface is cut and/or refined to produce the desired appearance.
It is only after the initial grinding phase that we can clearly observe the differences between these two flooring options in terms of aesthetics, functionality, and general suitability for a certain application in comparison to one another. To distinguish them apart from each other, let’s take a look at the contrasts between honed concrete and polished concrete flooring so that you can determine which type of flooring is suitable for your residential space.
Polished Concrete vs. Honed Concrete
Many residential and commercial owners are torn between honed concrete and polished concrete floors since they both have outstanding attributes. But at the end of the day, it’s all going to be about your specific requirements and applications. It’s preferable to choose honed concrete for outdoor flooring projects because of its durability, affordability, and slip resistance. Polished concrete is a terrific choice if you want luxury interior flooring that shouts sophistication all over.
Polished Concrete Floors
These are the best no-wax flooring materials since they require no maintenance. Concrete polishing firms can grind concrete surfaces, whether they are new or old, to a high-gloss level if they have the necessary floor grinding equipment and experience. When you consider the improved durability and performance of concrete, it’s no surprise that retailers, commercial warehouses, office buildings, and even homeowners are attracted to the appeal of this smooth, high-luster flooring.
The mechanically polished concrete (MPC) flooring option is frequently considered to be the more luxurious alternative when compared to honed concrete. This is due to the fact that polished concrete is subjected to extensive mechanical refinement in order to produce a bright surface that appears and feels opulent. It is the surface itself that shines, rather than a topical coating such as those used in concrete honing, that makes polished concrete floors look so beautiful.
Polished concrete’s smooth, reflecting surface encourages a dazzling multitude of design options, including colouring, scoring, and the creation of radial lines, grids, bands, borders, and other decorative elements. Stains and dyes are the most commonly used methods of improving polished concrete flooring that has previously been installed.
Because polishing is a multistep procedure, you have the option of selecting the amount of sheen you want — from satin to high gloss — that matches your maintenance and aesthetic expectations. Because of its adaptability, polished concrete is an excellent flooring material for a wide range of uses.
Honed Concrete Floor
The term “honed concrete” refers to a level of grinding that results in a matte finish that is even and smooth. Honed concrete floor is a fantastic flooring solution for concrete in outdoor areas, and it is easy to install. Concrete is grinned to the desired level of aggregate exposure and then sealed with a penetrative sealant, leaving a non-slip coating on your outdoor concrete slab that is long-lasting and durable. Honed concrete creates a magnificent statement of style in alfresco outside settings, and it is as great in an outdoor entertainment area or around a pool—and, best of all, it is economical and will require little care for decades to come.
Because it is finished with a topical sealer, it will need to be sanded and resealed every 3 to 7 years to keep its appearance. When it comes to initial costs, honed concrete is generally more cost-effective than polished concrete. To ensure that honed concrete lasts for decades, you must account for resealing.
The beauty of a honed concrete floor is that you may customize its appearance as you like. If you desire full aggregate exposure, for example, the contractor will simply grind down the surface to disclose more stones and produce a pleasing aesthetic impression. For an entirely different aesthetic, you can choose a nil exposure, which displays minuscule amounts of aggregate.
Honed concrete flooring is ideal for slippery surfaces such as pool surrounds and verandas. To improve foot traction in wet circumstances, an anti-slip ingredient is incorporated with the sealant. As a result, honed concrete is a safer alternative to glazed ceramic tiles and laminate floors.
Care Tips for Long-Lasting Polished Concrete Floors
When someone decided it was time for the exquisite and plush flooring option of concrete to rise from the ashes, it made perfect sense—with the help of some cutting-edge aesthetic treatments, of course. Concrete floors are now considered much more than just a subflooring material. Polished concrete flooring has quickly emerged as one of the most popular flooring options for both residential and commercial spaces. The low maintenance requirements and great affordability of this excellent flooring design are two of its primary benefits.
Because polished flooring doesn’t need to be sealed or waxed, they are frequently easier to maintain than other types of decorative concrete floors, even though they aren’t entirely maintenance-free. Although they are easy to maintain, this does not mean that they should be disregarded. It is still equally imperative to take care of your polished concrete floors on a daily and weekly basis to guarantee that they retain their lustrous appearance for many years to come, even over heavy traffic.
1. Steer Away from Rubber Backed Mats
Rubber-backed mats shouldn’t be placed on any aesthetic surfacing system because they could trap rising vapors that are naturally released by cementitious substrates, forming a hard mineral deposit that could harm the finish and surface.
2. Use Hot Water Rather Than Abrasive Chemicals for Manageable Stains
Hot water is suitable for most cleaning needs. For those who prefer a detergent, make sure it is a neutral cleaner for natural stone or concrete that has been adequately diluted before use. Due to the reactivity of concrete, it can etch when exposed to highly acidic or alkaline solutions.
3. Spills Should Be Cleaned Up Immediately
The easiest way to ensure that stains do not become permanently embedded in the surface of your polished concrete floors is to clean them as soon as you notice any spills, stains, or strange discolouration. Otherwise, stains have a horrible habit of seeping into your flooring and creating degradation, which may necessitate the costly and time-consuming process of a full-scale restoration.
4. Daily Dry Mop
To get rid of abrasive dust particles that are attracted to the tiny cracks in the polished concrete, it is advised to dry-mop your floors every day. While dust may appear to be innocuous, it has the potential to grind on the polished concrete’s surface, reducing its clarity and shine in the process.
5. Programs for Matting
To prevent filth and dust from accumulating in big spaces, it is recommended that soft floor coverings be used. Institution managers can choose from a variety of mat programs to create a unique program that meets the specific demands of their facility. You may get mats in a variety of sizes and shapes that can be modified with logos and branding features to help them become a continuous part of the design architecture. There are disposable, rental, and direct buy options.
6. Utilise PH Neutral Floor Cleaning Agents
The use of only water will most likely result in dirt being left on the floor. Over time, accumulated dust dulls the brilliance of polished concrete, causing it to appear dull. Dust and dirt can enter the surface of the floor, causing harm. You’d know for a fact that dust and dirt can permeate the surface of the floor. The use of a pH-neutral cleanser helps to avoid a chemical reaction between the concrete and the cleaner. Acidic cleaners and polished concrete do not go together like peanut butter and jelly. Polished concrete floors are susceptible to penetration and deterioration by a variety of cleaning agents, including bleach, ammonia, vinegar, lemon, and pine-based cleaners.
7. Wet Mopping on a Weekly Basis
While dry mopping is necessary, wet cleaning your floors on a weekly basis – using clean water and a clean mop – is imperative to increasing the utilisation of your floors and ensuring their longevity. This will aid in the removal of potentially dangerous filth, debris, and other grime that has accumulated on the surface of your flooring over time. Mops and pails are sufficient for cleaning up smaller areas. Auto-scrubbers with a soft microfiber pad, on the other hand, are often the most efficient in larger settings.
8. Adjust Sprinkler Systems on Garage Polished Concrete Floor
Make adjustments to the nozzles of landscape sprinkler systems to prevent excessive watering of driveways, patios, walkways, and decks. If decorative concrete surfaces are permitted to remain wet for a lengthy amount of time, hard water deposits have the ability to discolour them.
9. Administer Cleaning by Sections
It’s not a good idea to rush through the cleaning procedure, whether it’s an industrial location or the flooring in someone’s basement. Keep the cleaner from smearing across a big area of the flooring. This allows the cleaning solution to settle on the floor, resulting in a grime-loving residue that may be removed later.
Professional floor cleaners are aware of the importance of working in portions. Make use of their example and administer cleaner to one corner before moving on to a different one. After applying cleaner to the new region, revert back to the first corner and wet-mop or vacuum the entire area again.
10. Look out for Deicing Compounds
Never use a deicing substance that contains salts, ammonium nitrate, or ammonium sulphate, or any combination of these ingredients. Many different types of sealers and aesthetic surfacing systems are quickly attacked and disintegrated by these chemical de-icers. De-icers containing magnesium chloride, on the other hand, can cause moderate injury.
Here at EzyGrind, we offer both polished concrete floors and honed concrete floor installation services, whichever suits you the best! Contact us today!
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