Does Polished Concrete Need to be Sealed?
DirectStone flooring specialists tend to see the world – and polished concrete – slightly differently from anyone else. Like tailors, surgeons and chefs, they appreciate how their creations look, and the response they elicit. Beyond this, though, they see the stages of work that created the finish, and the numerous ingredients that makes the end result more than the sum of its parts. A DirectStone polished concrete floor is crafted for quality, durability and resilience.
Polished concrete sealer is one of those ingredients that are are invisible to the eye, and yet contribute hugely to the elegance and sheen of the finish. The DirectStone team thought it was time, therefore, to shine a spotlight on the humble sealant, and explore its role in the polished concrete floor process.
What Does Concrete Sealer Do?
A concrete sealer is applied to a power floated concrete floor after it has been mechanically refined and polished to help protect the refined surface. The concrete surface is hardened with a densifier and then sealed. A number of benefits accrue from this vital stage in the process:
- Protection From Stains. Concrete is a porous material which means that it stains easily. A concrete sealer protects your polished concrete floor from oil and acidic staining.
- Durability. Once you see your finished flooring, you’ll want it to stay that way for ever. A sealer helps with the durability of your floor and the longevity of your polish.
- Reduces Scuffs. Sealers help to minimise the impact of scuffs from foot traffic, or the movement of objects across the flooring.
Types of Polished Concrete Sealer
There are 4 main types of sealer that DirectStone specialists use when preparing concrete flooring:
- Concrete Sealer. This is applied once the polish is complete. Its purpose is to help protect the refined surface of your concrete flooring from stains or scuffs.
- Penetrating Sealer. As the names suggests this type penetrates into the pores of the concrete where it provides protection from staining and moisture ingress.
- Topical Sealer. Also known as a surface coating. This sits on the surface of the concrete and negates the need for polishing with diamond studded pads.
- Integral Sealer. This is added to the concrete at the mixing stage. This means that the sealant protection is integral to the flooring from the moment the slab is laid.
Replacing Your Polished Concrete Sealer
As we’ve shown, the sealer does quite a bit of the ‘heavy lifting’ when it comes to keeping your floor looking good. It also ensures that ongoing maintenance is ‘light touch’, requiring only regular sweeping and mopping to maintain the ‘just polished’ appearance of your floor. Topical or penetrating sealers will wear over time. Sealer replacement is normally required every 4-5 years for penetrative sealers, and every 2-3 years for topical sealers.
Working With DirectStone
If you would like to know more about installing a polished concrete floor, simply call our experts to ask. We can provide expert advice, and a free quotation is provided on every job. DirectStone flooring specialists create beautiful polished floors, refurbish neglected floors and repair concrete flooring that has cracked or chipped.
To speak to DirectStone experts about polished concrete flooring for residential or commercial spaces, call us today on 01525 20863920
