Concrete floors can possess a range of characteristics. Polished concrete floors can be created with specific characteristics for different purposes. Understanding these characteristics and what is required to obtain them is vital for determining what you do with your polished concrete floors.
One of the characteristics of polished concrete floors is the visual texture of the concrete. The amount of grinding that is done through diamond grinding determines the visual texture of the concrete. If the floor goes through a high number of grinding steps it will expose a lot of aggregate. This produces a finish that is similar to a terrazzo floor. A floor with a medium amount of grinding will produce a medium level of aggregate exposure. The surface that is created is often referred to as a salt and pepper polish finish. A floor with a low amount of grinding will have little or no aggregate exposure. It needs to be remembered that the level of grinding will determine the price. The less grinding the less it will cost.
The next characteristic to consider is the amount of sheen. The sheen of the surface is a result of the grinding process. The amount of polishing steps that the floor goes through after grinding determines the natural sheen of the concrete surface.
The final question concerns warranties. Like the question of price it is difficult to provide a warranty. This is because there are a number of factors that can effect the condition of polished concrete floors. The dust free aspect of the floor is the only aspect of the floor that any type of warranty can be provided for. The shine of the floor can be significantly impacted by maintenance.