4 Different Concrete Floors Polished
One of the reasons the team at DirectStone remains passionate about the work we do is that every single day presents us with different concrete floors polished or refurbished to create a unique finish and aesthetic. Polished concrete flooring comes in an infinite array of different shapes, sizes, conditions and environments, and each floor offers its own unique set of challenges to overcome.
At DirectStone we all want to see the very best outcome for our clients, whether we’re polishing concrete for a new-build or retrofitting a concrete floor in an historic property. And that requires the use of specialist machinery, products, skills and experience. In this blog we look at 4 very different case studies of concrete floors the team have polished to perfection.
1. Rescue Job for a Suffolk Wedding
A poorly floated concrete floor was threatening to disrupt wedding plans in a Suffolk barn conversion. Our clients asked us to be trouble-shooters, and create the brilliant gloss finish they’d envisaged for their special day.Time was tight but the DirectStone team don’t hang about. We recommended a Gold finish which produces a highly polished surface, without grinding deep into the concrete.
We honed and densified the flooring, cured the surface, applied the polish and treated the finished gloss with stain protection. Our clients were delighted with the results, which were precisely what they had envisaged from the start.
“Couldn’t fault this great team of craftsmen who managed to completely transform a poorly floated concrete floor in our wedding and events venue into a perfectly honed and sealed floor. The reflection of the ancient oak rafters in the floor is really magical for our guests”
2. A Concrete Overlay Retail Installation
Most existing concrete floors can be polished to perfection, but not all. We occasionally come across flawed or damaged concrete flooring which wouldn’t polish well. Luckily there’s a highly effective ‘Plan B’ for these situations. Concrete overlays are a cost-effective alternative that produces high-quality results.
DirectStone were contracted to provide concrete flooring for two of Russell & Bromley’s London stores. The original concrete slab was ‘contaminated’ in each case. The existing substrate was repaired and decontaminated. Then it was screeded, and CTS TRU – an architectural overlay – was applied to the 150² floor.
3. A New Build in Bath
Polishing concrete flooring in new builds is one of the more straightforward projects the team gets involved in. There’s no pre-existing floor finish to deal with, the site is clear of furniture, and we can normally expect to find a good quality concrete slab to work with.
In the Bath new build, the preponderance of natural light, and the high quality slab presented the ideal conditions for a Bronze polish. This is only possible where the floor is entirely flat and even. The Bronze finish utilizes the natural texture of the concrete material, enhanced by a brilliant gloss finish.
4. CONCRETE FLOORING PAINT REMOVAL
Once in a while DirectStone’s flooring specialist have to remove a previously applied flooring finish, before they are able to begin the process of concrete floor polishing. In this case it was the entrance of a large distribution unit where epoxy non-slip paint had been applied at a depth of 3-4mm. It was worn and in disrepair when we encountered it.
The task of the DirectStone team was to remove the epoxy paint without damaging the concrete slab underneath. In order to achieve this, they used HTC Superfloor™ grinding machines with HEPA filtered extraction to safeguard against silica dust which can be harmful to health. Once the paint was removed, the concrete was further ground and honed up to a 200g finish.
About DirectStone
If you want concrete floors polished, DirectStone guarantees a professional, high-quality product. We provide polished concrete to residential extensions and new builds, commercial spaces and offices, showrooms and galleries. Our flooring specialists work throughout the UK mainly in London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
If you require commercial or residential concrete floors polished call DirectStone for a free no obligation quote on 01525 20863920
