While people often think of concrete as a dull, gray material, it can be impressively glossy and smooth. The concrete polishing process gently grinds down concrete until it looks sleek and shiny. This results in an attractive, durable floor that works well for both residential and commercial settings. However, polished concrete floors aren’t for everyone. If you’re considering using a polished concrete floor on your property, it’s important to know about the pros and cons of this material.
The Advantages of Polished Concrete
Concrete polishing provides a lot of benefits. Here are some common reasons people choose polished concrete for their floors.
Polished Concrete Floors Are Low-Maintenance
If you’re looking for durable flooring that looks great but doesn’t require a lot of effort, polished concrete is ideal. This surface is incredibly hard, so it doesn’t lose its shine even with a lot of foot traffic. Unlike wood, you won’t need to buff out scratches, and unlike linoleum, you don’t have to wax it to maintain its glossiness. Concrete polishing brings out the best in your floors, whether it’s a garage, a warehouse, or retail space. Creating a sleek, professional look that elevates any environment with the help of a licensed, bonded, and insured professional.
Polished Concrete Floors Suit a Variety of Styles
One of the biggest reasons property owners choose polished concrete is for its style. The characteristic shine of polished concrete adds visual interest and class to many rooms, and it’s a surprisingly flexible material. Of course, polished concrete is a classic choice for a space with industrial decor, but it can also look glam with the right decor. We’ve seen polished concrete floors complement elegant office furniture, edgy bars, cozy boho homes, and more.
You Save Money
When you pick a polished concrete floor, you don’t have to spend most of your budget on flooring. This type of floor is budget-friendly because it lets you work with what you already have. Instead of installing an underlayment and then laying tile or wood down, many places only need to polish the existing concrete. Even if you’re starting the installation process from scratch, it’s still quite affordable. While the average flooring material is $10 or more per square foot, polished concrete can be as cheap as $4 per square foot.
Polished Concrete Floors Improve Air Quality
Unlike many other flooring materials, polished concrete is free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a type of problematic chemical that most manufactured woods and synthetic vinyl tiles release. They’re linked to allergies, migraines, and eye irritation, so a new building covered in fresh flooring can be uncomfortable to spend a lot of time in. However, polished concrete doesn’t produce off-gassing VOCs, so it’s safe to use even in medical facilities and homes where people have breathing issues.
You Can Clean Them Easily
Polished concrete floors are popular for areas with a lot of mess because they’re very easy to clean. The dense material and smooth finish don’t trap a lot of dirt, dust, or stains. Almost all messes on polished concrete floors can be cleaned up with a simple vacuum and mop. Concrete floors are also durable enough to withstand mechanized cleaning methods. This makes it an especially popular choice for large floors and warehouses where employees use cleaning equipment to get rid of messes. Another advantage is that the concrete polishing process makes concrete less porous, so it doesn’t absorb moisture. Polished concrete is water-resistant, so it can still look great even after issues like floods.
Polished Concrete Floors Are Good For the Environment
Did you know that polished concrete floors are one of the main ways that builders get environmental tax credits? This flooring material is so eco-friendly that it can reduce overall flooring material waste by up to 97%. The reason that polished concrete is good for the environment is that it doesn’t require a lot of water and energy to install. You don’t have to have costly materials shipped across the nation, and you don’t have to use up a lot of non-renewable resources. Instead, concrete polishing turns a standard building material into something beautiful. Polished concrete floors also have some environmental benefits for buildings with HVAC systems. Concrete has very high insulating properties, so it reduces the amount of energy needed to cool a building.
The Disadvantages of Polished Concrete
While polished concrete does have its perks, it’s not ideal for every situation. Here are some potential downsides you’ll need to be aware of.
Your Underlying Concrete Needs to Look Good
Keep in mind that a polished concrete floor only looks as good as the underlying concrete slab. While polishing can smooth out some minor discrepancies, it can’t address things like drastically uneven concrete or discolored concrete. Therefore, it’s important to have a good foundation if you want great results. If your existing concrete slab isn’t in good shape, you might need to get repairs before polishing it. In some cases, you’ll only get good results by refinishing or replacing your concrete, while minor blemishes and chips can be repaired with concrete grinding. While this doesn’t necessarily prevent you from having a polished concrete floor, it does mean it might take a little longer and cost a little more to get the type of flooring you want.
Polished Concrete Floors Are Very Firm
While polished concrete looks more stylish than standard concrete, it’s still just as hard. While this is a good thing for durability, it can lead to some problems for people who spend a lot of time on the floor. If your floor will be in an area where people stand and walk a lot of the time, they might deal with discomfort. Excessively firm floors are linked to foot, leg, and back pain, so you might need to add some rugs or cushioning mats to ensure workers are comfortable on your concrete floors.
Polished Concrete Floors Are Reflective
The highly polished nature of these floors means that they reflect a lot of light and sound. This can lead to areas feeling a little noisier and brighter than they really are. This is one of the reasons why commercial concrete polishing has become so popular for businesses looking to create a lively atmosphere. If you’re looking for a soft, cozy feel, a bare concrete floor might not suit your design aesthetic. In these cases, you’ll need to consider adding rugs if you plan on using a polished concrete floor.
How to Decide if Concrete Polishing Is Right For You
As you can see, there are both pros and cons to concrete polishing. To determine if you want to polish concrete on your property, you’ll need to consider your unique situation carefully. For example, if your priority is a sleek, stylish floor that’s easy to clean, the concrete polishing is a great idea. Meanwhile, if you have an unevenly poured concrete floor, you might want to repair it before you get concrete polishing.
Not sure how a polished concrete floor will look? Visit our Gallery and see some of our amazing work. Valley Concrete Coatings & Polishing can analyze your property and let you know which flooring types would work well for your needs. We provide a variety of concrete restoration and concrete polishing services throughout the Phoenix area. To learn more about our services, contact Valley Concrete Coatings & Polishing of Phoenix today.
