What are the flaws of polished concrete?

Author: Richard King DVM  |  Last update: Thursday, September 14, 2023

Generally speaking, the disadvantages of polished concrete floors are very few. They involve things like discoloration, stains that are deeply embedded in the concrete, or imprints made when the concrete slab was initially poured.

What are the negatives of polished concrete floors?

Cons of Polished Concrete Floor

It can be hard underfoot and if something was accidently dropped, such as a plate or glass, it's not going to survive. Cracking: No matter how well your flooring is installed and sealed, over time there will appear cracks in polished concrete floors.

Is polished concrete worth it?

If you're looking for sustainable materials to use in your home, polished concrete is a great option because: Recycled materials can be used to manufacture concrete. It has a long life – meaning you're less likely to need to replace your floor for many years.

What are the pros and cons of polished concrete floors?

Polished concrete floors are relatively inexpensive to create, extremely durable and low maintenance. On the downside, some people find them cold and hard underfoot so if you live in a cool climate you may want to install underfloor or inslab heating or think about softening the surface with rugs.

Does polished concrete scratch easily?

Polished concrete is one of the strongest and most resilient floor types in the market. This makes it highly resistant to scratches and therefore polished concrete floors don't scratch easily. For this reason, polished concrete is commonly used in high traffic areas like industries and corridors.

Epoxy Floor vs Polished Concrete | What’s the Difference?

What is the life span of polished concrete?

Mechanically polished concrete can last up to 10-12 years without any major maintenance if it is appropriately installed and maintained during that time.

Does polished concrete always crack?

A polished concrete floor will crack

It is often thought that polished concrete floors eventually crack. Precast concrete floors can indeed crack, but not with SENSO. It is highly unusual for a SENSO polished concrete floor to crack. Because we use highly flexible material.

Is polished concrete hard to maintain?

Polished concrete flooring is relatively easy to maintain. You just have to dust mop or broom sweep daily to prevent dirt accumulation.

Why do polished concrete floors crack?

Without adequate reinforcement, however, even small levels of movement can cause cracks to appear in the surface of your concrete flooring. Other factors such as poor drainage, soil movement and improper curing can also lead to cracking in concrete floors.

Are polished concrete floors high maintenance?

Although a polished concrete floor isn't a “No-maintenance” flooring option, they are certainly “low-maintenance.” That's why when it comes to teaching new clients how to maintain a polished concrete floor that's installed in their home or business, we typically offer the following advice.

How often does polished concrete need to be sealed?

Sealing your concrete isn't really a labor-intensive, nor costly, job. By sealing your concrete every 2-5 years, as recommended by experts, you should keep your floor in good shape, preventing cracks, pitting, and additional damage.

How messy is polishing concrete?

IS POLISHING CONCRETE MESSY? Surprisingly no! There is a lot of cleaning involved between each step we need to perform as polishers and we take a great deal of care not to make a mess while working.

What is the best alternative to polished concrete floor?

Resin Living Room Floors

This resin flooring is slightly cushioned, so it's very comfortable to walk on and works well with underfloor heating. Microcement is another excellent flooring material and looks very similar to polished concrete at a more affordable price point with a huge range of colours and finishes.

Can water damage polished concrete?

Polished concrete floors are a popular option for commercial and industrial building. However, as a porous substance, it is vulnerable to excessive moisture which can cause difficulties during installation and distort the end result. Contractors should be conscious of the impact moisture has on cementitious floors.

Does polished concrete increase home value?

Getting concrete floor coatings or a decorative concrete overlay is not a luxury – it's an investment that can pay off over time. Not only will the investment improve your enjoyment of the home and reduce your maintenance, but it will also improve the value of your home.

Are polished concrete floors slippery when wet?

Polished concrete is (generally) NOT slippery when wet.

A flooring safety test using measurement standards provided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) found that polished concrete has superior slip resistance, even when wet.

Can you vacuum polished concrete floors?

Cleaning your polished concrete floors

You can sweep, vacuum, or wipe with a dry mop – any of these methods will be sufficient to keep the surface of your polished concrete clean.

Should I seal polished concrete?

Additionally, polished concrete can provide a seamless look between inside and out, plus it's also easy to clean and low-maintenance too. A pH-neutral cleaner can be used to give your floors a deep clean or a quick mop twice a week, but concrete should definitely be sealed to give the best performance.

How do you keep polished concrete shiny?

Keeping your floors dust-free is as simple as a nightly sweep with a microfibre mop. If you don't have one of these, a cotton or soft bristled broom will also do the job. Then, once a week, go over the area with a damp mop. This will remove any residual dust and really get your floors shining again.

Is polished concrete cheaper than hardwood?

Because material costs for polished concrete floors are six to eight times lower than that of high-quality hardwood floors, polished concrete is significantly less expensive than wood in new residential construction. In 2022, a typical white oak floor install can range from $12 to over $22 a square foot.

Can I use a steam mop on polished concrete floors?

No. A steam mop should never be used on a Polished Concrete floor. Nor should one use harsh chemicals such as bleach, citrus products or oils. A microfibre mop is all that is required in conjunction with water or a neutral ph cleaner such as GTA Tough Green.

Is polished concrete better than epoxy?

A properly installed polished concrete enhances light reflectivity by as much as 100%. Meanwhile, an epoxy coating improves the surface's reflectivity by 300%. In this case, we have a clear winner between the two.

Does polished concrete make house cold?

Thermal mass material that keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. It is a popular opinion that a concrete floor will make your home cold over the winter months. However, this is certainly not the case as polished concrete is a thermal mass material.

Is polished concrete better than tile?

Polished concrete floors are very durable and with proper maintenance will last you a lifetime. Tiles are also durable but they're a little more fragile in comparison to concrete. If you drop something heavy on a tiled floor, it's likely to crack and chip.

How do you protect polished concrete?

We highly recommend that you arrange with your builder to Ramboard laid 24 hours after your concrete polish is completed. Ramboard is a breathable cardboard available from , and it costs approximately $3.20 per m2. This temporary floor product protects against scratches, chips, and general staining.

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