Polishing Concrete in Los Angeles

Want a high-end look to the concrete work at your home? Consider polishing it. Polishing concrete delivers dazzling results. Your concrete will transform from a drab slab to a fab slab with a mirror-like sheen. Here’s how.

What is polished concrete?

Almost any structurally sound concrete flooring can be polished, whether new or old. Polishing concrete is a specialized, multi-step process which creates a high shine on your concrete work. 

The process is very similar to sanding wood. Machines with abrasives similar to sandpaper are sussed to grind down your concrete surfaces to the desired level of shine and smoothness. As with sanding wood, coarser abrasives are used first with gradually finer-grit abrasives used as the work progresses. The result is a glossy, mirror-like finish.

When polishing concrete, contractors tend to use a dry polishing method because it’s faster, more convenient and eco-friendly. With this method, the floor polisher is hooked up to a dust-containment system that vacuums up almost all of the mess.

Where can I polish concrete?

You can polish concrete wherever you have concrete. Here are some popular places to find polished concrete:

• Auto showrooms

• Retail stores

• Large warehouses and warehouse outlets

• Hotels and restaurants

• Office buildings

• Private residences

What are the steps in polishing concrete?

There are several steps in polishing concrete. If you’ve ever done woodwork, some of these steps may seem familiar. 

First, all existing coatings are removed using a very coarse abrasive. Then, all the cracks and joins are sealed. After that, the polishing sanding begins. The concrete is sanded with a series of increasingly fine-grade abrasives. During this process, a chemical hardener is applied. This protects the concrete inside and out. It also helps harden and densify the concrete. The concrete is again sanded with increasingly finer abrasives to the desired level of sheen. Finally, a stain guard may be applied to protect the polished surface and make it easier to maintain.

Taking your polished concrete to the next level

Since you’re already polishing your concrete, why not take it to the next aesthetic level and add design elements to create a truly one-of-a-kind creation? The smooth, reflective surface of polished concrete invites a stunning array of design possibilities. 

Your concrete floor can be colored or scored. You can create radial lines, grids, bands, borders and other designs. The choices are almost limitless. You can add designs, logos, etching, etc. to create a look as distinctive as you.

What are some of the advantages to having polished concrete floors?

Besides looking beautiful, polished concrete floors are extremely durable. When you polish concrete, it closes the pores in the concrete, helping it resist stains and moisture. Routine maintenance consists of cleaning the floor periodically with a powered floor scrubber, wet mop or a neutral cleaner. 

Commercial properties often opt for polished concrete floors. Here’s why:

• Cost Effective: Using an existing concrete slab cuts down on costs. The cost of maintaining concrete flooring also is much lower than other, more traditional, floor coverings.

• Resistant to High Foot Traffic: Because concrete is so durable and resistant to a high volume of foot traffic, you don’t have to spend time and money waxing and stripping the floor.

• Less Maintenance and Longer Life: When done correctly, your polished concrete floor should last decades. Polished concrete floors are easy to clean, needing only an occasional mopping. Not only that, but the glossy finish of a polished concrete floor even resists the marks of a forklift truck, as well as oil stains and stains from chemical spills.

• Moisture Resistant: Polished concrete allows the floor to breathe. This eliminates issues with other flooring materials that seal off the concrete, such as tile. 

• High Light Reflectivity: For office buildings, hotels, restaurants and other public buildings that want to project a bright, clean, professional image, polished concrete is the answer. The high sheen of polished concrete also helps to save energy by reducing the amount of artificial light needed. 

• Sustainability: Polished concrete doesn’t require hazardous coatings, cleaners or adhesives.

Polished concrete isn’t just for commercial ventures. Here are some of the benefits of polished concrete for residential owners:

• Cost Savings: Traditional floor coverings (carpet, wood, tile) are not necessary when your existing concrete slab is used as the finished floor surface.

• Long-term Savings: Polished floors can handle a lot of wear and tear. They are not as vulnerable to damage as other materials and do not need to be replaced.

• Easy to Clean: Just clean it with a mop. Polished concrete floors don’t harbor dust, dirt, or allergens.

• Easy to Customize: Polished concrete is available in a wide variety of colors and designs. The only limit to your design is your imagination.

How much does polished concrete cost in Los Angeles?

As with any project that updates the look of your home or office, the cost will be determined by the complexity of the project. You can expect to pay between $3 to $12 per square foot. Residential pricing may be slightly higher than commercial projects. That’s due to the need for smaller equipment and tighter spaces. 

Compare that to ceramic or porcelain tile, which can run from $7 to $24 per square foot, or wood which can cost anywhere from $8 to $13 per square foot. Natural stone, such as marble or slate, costs between $20 and $50 per square foot. 

The biggest cost savings will be in the general upkeep and lifetime of polished concrete. Polished concrete will far outlast traditional floor coverings and the maintenance is simpler and cheaper overall.

Polishing concrete doesn’t sound too hard to do. Can I just DIY this project?

Polishing concrete is not an easy DIY project and we don’t recommend doing it yourself. There is a steep learning curve to working with polishing machines. Not to mention, there are many safety precautions that must be taken during the process, especially when collecting dust. 

Polishing concrete is a job we highly suggest you leave to the professionals. To find out how to add this beautiful detail to your home, call Concrete Decor Contractor at 1-818-722-8124 for a consultation today.