Polished Concrete floors

What is polished concrete?

Polished concrete is celebrated as one of the most eco-friendly flooring systems available, making it a top choice not only in New England but across various industries. Hotels, retail spaces, and industrial facilities in Massachusetts, for instance, opt for polished concrete due to its resilience and low maintenance needs. This versatile flooring solution is also ideal for demanding environments like hospitals in Connecticut, providing durability and ease of care.

The process of creating polished concrete involves meticulous honing, requiring multiple passes with an industrial grinder using progressively finer diamond blades to achieve a perfect finish. In Maine and New Hampshire, where both aesthetics and functionality are prized, having a skilled contractor with the right technology and equipment is crucial. The result is a polished concrete floor that combines toughness, safety, and visual appeal, offering an enduring and attractive solution for any commercial space.

Why choose polished concrete from Level Up Construction

Every concrete floor is unique, and in New England, including historic areas in Massachusetts and Connecticut, many buildings have concrete floors older than 100 years. After our initial conversation, we gather specific details about your floor to understand the integrity of the concrete. We ask about existing coatings, past carpet installations, and any adhesives, mastics, or tiles that might need removal. This thorough understanding helps us determine the precise machinery and scope required to achieve a flawless polished concrete finish.

Polished concrete is crafted by combining materials such as rocks, granite chips, and river stones with a cement binder—typically calcium sulfate or limestone—and water. The polishing process begins by treating the concrete surfaces in Maine and New Hampshire commercial establishments with a concrete densifier, which fills and hardens the surface pores. After allowing the surface to dry, we continue grinding until we reach the desired level of finish. The sheen of polished concrete is measured by its grade and finish, with higher grades revealing more aggregates and achieving a glossier polish. This tailored approach ensures that each space we work on reflects both durability and aesthetic elegance.

Choices for Polished Concrete

We offer a variety of polished concrete options to suit every floor type, whether you're aiming for an industrial feel or a refined retail look. Our selection is designed to meet various usage needs and personal tastes, combining durability, exceptional performance, and ease of maintenance. The sheen level of our polished concrete floors ranges from matte to high gloss, determined by the diamond grit used during polishing. Aggregate exposure can vary from minimal (cream finish) to full exposure, depending on your desired effect.

• Cream Polish: Achieves the smoothest finish with a consistent sheen, ideal for color finishes as it adheres well to stains and dyes, allowing for vibrant and uniform coloration.
• Salt and Pepper Polish: Popular for its ease of achievement and ability to reflect light beautifully, this finish adheres well to stains, enhancing the floor's natural imperfections for a distinctive, glossy appearance.
• Aggregate Polish: While this is a more costly option due to additional processes, it yields a highly attractive finish when executed by expert installers. It's important for clients to understand that certain pre-existing floor conditions may affect the feasibility of achieving specific types of polish, particularly cream polish, when removing old coatings and adhesives.