How DirectStone Brings Polished Concrete Back to Life
What happens when your polished concrete flooring – chosen for its longevity and style – loses its ‘just-polished’ sparkle? There are a few reasons why polished floors can dull over time, but the good news is that the strength and elegance of your floor remain intact. As our 3 polished concrete restorations case studies will show – we breathe new life into your existing flooring, proving that even a ‘tired’ floor can be returned to its stunning, as-new shine.
At DirectStone, we’ve spent two decades perfecting our polished concrete expertise. It’s this depth of practical experience with polished concrete restoration that persuades our clients to trust us with their concrete floor restorations.
We know that seeing is believing, so we’ve put together this look at three recent projects. From resealing polished concrete that had lost its protection to repairing visible signs of wear, these case studies provide a demonstration of the polished concrete restoration we achieve for our clients every day.
Case Study 1 – Restoring the Lustre of a Henley Buff Floor in Northamptonshire
In this stunning home in Northamptonshire, a 130m² polished concrete floor in ‘Henley Buff’ forms the unifying foundation for an airy and expansive open-plan living space. Poured just two years ago, the floor was in excellent condition but had lost some of the initial vibrancy and sheen that makes polished concrete so spectacular.
The Restoration Process
Even a perfectly installed floor experiences wear and tear. Over two years, microscopic scratches and the gradual wearing down of the original sealer had dulled the surface of this floor. We began with a deep clean and a very fine diamond polish. This gentle abrasion removes the old sealer and smooths away the surface-level imperfections without altering the beautiful ‘paste’ finish.
We then applied an impregnating sealer, which penetrates the concrete to provide long-lasting, stain-resistant protection and bring out the rich, warm colour. The result is a flawless, highly reflective surface that now matches the beauty of its surroundings.
Case Study 2 – Returning to Oxford to Refurbish a Floor We Installed 3 Years Ago
Even the most durable floors benefit from professional maintenance to stay in peak condition. This was the case for a 95m² ‘Light Natural’ polished concrete floor in Oxford that we first installed three years ago. The surface had served the family well, but it was the ideal time for a professional refurbishment to clean the concrete and re-apply a protective seal.
The Restoration Process
Because we knew this floor inside and out, we understood exactly what was needed to bring back its sparkle. Our process began with a clean and a gentle but effective diamond polish. This removed the original sealant, and any minor, surface-level scuffs accumulated over three years of family life. We then applied a high-quality, stain-resistant sealer, and buffed the floor to high-gloss finish you can see in the photos. Once again it’s able to do its job of capturing and reflecting the natural light that floods the space.
Case Study 3 – Rejuvenating a 6-Year-Old Basalt Floor in Cambridge
How does a polished concrete floor hold up after six years of constant wear? This project in Cambridge is a great answer to that question. The 75m² Basalt floor, a polished concrete floor surface we had originally installed, was structurally perfect but its surface lustre had faded. Our client asked us to carry out a comprehensive restoration.
To restore this floor’s deep, liquid-shine finish, we applied our five-step process. First, we chemically stripped the six-year-old sealant and any ingrained dirt. This was followed by a deep clean to prepare the surface.
Using our diamond grinding equipment, we then polished the concrete to remove surface-level scratches and restore its smoothness. An impregnating sealer was applied to protect the floor and bring out the rich Basalt colour. Finally, the floor was burnished with a high-speed polishing machine to create a hardened, stunningly reflective finish.
DirectStone – Expertise You Can Trust
As you’ve seen across these three different projects, every floor has unique requirements. What remains the same is the level of expert care and attention to detail you can trust us to bring to every restoration. For two decades, property owners have trusted DirectStone to enhance and protect their flooring. Your floor has its own story, and we have the expertise to give it the opportunity to shine once more.
Ready to restore your floor’s shine? Contact our friendly team today for a free, no-obligation quote – 01525 20863920
