The Secret to a Lasting Shine – A Close Look at Diamond Polished Floors
People often ask the DirectStone team how we create high-gloss concrete surfaces. Many assume that it’s the result of a synthetic coating or a glossy wax that’s been applied to the surface. But no! The reality is far more interesting – that shine is an integral part of the concrete itself. We release it using diamond tooling to refine the surface until it becomes smooth, dense, and reflective. It’s a transformation, not an addition, and we’ll guide you through our process right here.
For the past two decades, the team at DirectStone has been installing and renovating polished concrete flooring. We know that clients love how they look but often have concerns about how to keep the glossy sheen pristine. You’ll be pleased to know that this durable, high-gloss finish is surprisingly simple to maintain, and in this blog we’ll show you how to keep it looking brand new for years.
From Concrete to Crystal-Clear Gloss – How We Do It
Achieving that signature high-gloss look on diamond polished floors is a methodical process that’s rather like polishing a precious stone. Our aim is always to reveal the organic shine that exists within the concrete.
The first stage of our work is about preparation and levelling. We use a powerful grinding machine to remove the surface paste, but the real work is done by the diamond-impregnated pads beneath it. The first few passes with coarse diamonds smooth out the entire surface, ensuring it’s perfectly flat and ready for the next steps.
Once smooth, we give the concrete surface added strength. A liquid densifier absorbs deep into the slab and closes up the natural pores in the concrete, creating a much tougher and less porous surface. This creates a base that can be polished to a mirror-like finish.
The final stage is the polishing itself. Now we swap coarse diamond pads for progressively finer ones, with each step making the surface smoother and more reflective. It’s a process that needs a sure hand and lots of patience, but as we reach the final, ultra-fine grits, the floor begins to reflect the light in the room with new clarity. Finally the sealer is applied to protect the shine and increase stain resistance. Your high-gloss polished concrete is complete.
Keeping Your Shine – Simple Care for Your Polished Concrete
Once you have that incredible high-gloss shine, you want it to last. The great news is, with polished concrete flooring, it absolutely can. Only a very simple maintenance routine is needed to protect the surface from its one main enemy – grit.
Dust and grit accumulate naturally on polished concrete floors; when walked over, though, it acts like a fine sandpaper, creating thousands of microscopic scratches in your glossy surface. Over time, these scratches dull the reflective finish.
The maintenance solution is simple. Use a dry microfibre dust mop to regularly lift these fine particles off the floor. For cleaning, use a damp mop with a pH-neutral (everyday) cleaner. This gentle approach is all that’s needed to keep your floor reflecting light beautifully.
To ensure long-term protection against stains, the floor is treated with a penetrating sealer. This sealer will wear over time, so we recommend having it professionally reapplied every 3-5 years, depending on the amount of foot traffic your floor experiences on a daily basis.
Lost the Lustre? How DirectStone Restores Your Floor’s Original Shine
What happens if polished concrete flooring has been neglected and has already lost its shine? Can that beautiful gloss be brought back? Absolutely. Because the shine is part of the polished concrete itself, it’s not gone forever—it simply needs to be restored.
Our restoration process is straightforward. We begin with a deep, industrial-grade clean to lift out any ingrained dirt. Then, we use our specialised equipment with fine-grit diamond pads to re-hone the surface. This effectively polishes away the microscopic scratches and dullness, bringing the original, deep shine right back to the surface. To finish, we apply a fresh coat of protective sealer to ensure your newly restored floor stays looking brilliant.
Ready to Transform Your Floor?
Now that you know the secret behind our diamond polished floors, are you ready to bring that lasting, easy-to-clean shine to your own home or business?
Whether you have a new floor you want polishing or an existing floor that needs restoring, the DirectStone team is here to help. Call us today for a no obligation, personalised quote -01525 863920
