Concrete Polishing for Spring

Concrete Polishing for Spring

by | Mar 31, 2019 | Polished Concrete

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth, offering hope for the future and all that entails. For many homeowners, it’s also a time to do some rejuvenating of their home and surroundings. Home upgrades can include polishing and sealing the floors in and around their house to create more beautiful living spaces.

Types of polishing

The Mohs hardness is tested first, as concrete can be different hardnesses and the hardness will determine how to proceed. Not surprisingly, there are several depths or cuts to which concrete can be polished. A homeowner might go with a cream polish, which is just the top, or a salt and pepper finish, which shows more, or aggregate, a deeply ground cut which shows a cross section of the inner concrete. Some concrete is made with decorative stone or recycled glass, making the aggregate cut a beautiful option. 

Polishing practices

By using different grits, the polishing process is a gradual one, starting with a coarse grit and gradually working toward the finer grits, creating a steady series of layer removal. As a result of this slow removal process, the finished product, while more labor intensive, is much stronger and a more stable refinement than one which is ground brutally or indiscriminately. 

The amount of polish is also a consideration. Some customers want a honed look, while some want a highly polished, glasslike finish — each type of polish influences the amount of light reflected by the floor. In the final phases of polishing, a sealer may be used to intensify the hardness of the finished product.

Color

A polished concrete floor can be stained or dyed, which will add color to the concrete. It can also be scored, or patterns cut into the surface, creating more designs. 

If the concrete was poured to be polished, many things could be added into the mix which will affect the finished product. As another option, the top layer of the concrete can be dyed during the pouring process. 

Sometimes, there is the option to wet or dry polish the concrete. Wet or dry is subject to many factors, and each situation has different requirements.

Regardless of the grits used, the polishing, design, color, and cuts, the result is a low maintenance, gorgeous floor which is durable as well as beautiful. Polished concrete floors are notoriously low maintenance, and stay clean. If a homeowner is considering a polished concrete floor, it’s well worth the time to look at some different options before starting the project. Once it’s finished, it will be a floor your family or business can enjoy for years with minimal cleaning.

Premier Epoxy is your flooring expert in the Tampa area, featuring epoxy floors, polished and stained concrete. Call us at 813-296-2937 today!

Epoxy Flooring Your Garage Before a Home Renovation

Epoxy Flooring Your Garage Before a Home Renovation

by | Mar 15, 2019 | Epoxy Garage Floor

Home renovation has become a hot item these days. People are no longer moving as readily as in years past. Generations of family members or bundling together more readily, which sometimes means a remodel is necessary to accommodate everyone.

But, before the contractor comes and starts ripping out walls, one of the wisest options a homeowner can exercise is to epoxy the garage floor. Here are the reasons that epoxying your garage floor before a home remodel will make a world of difference:

Less dirt

Remodeling is a dirty business. Dust is going to get everywhere in spite of your contractor and your best efforts. Concrete floors in a garage are dirty, but once an epoxy floor has cured, those dirty days in the garage are over. Because the garage space is cleaner, the homeowner has a place to store household items which were packed up in anticipation of the remodeling and can store them in the garage without having to fight concrete dust or resort to paying for storage to keep possessions clean.

More living space

While we don’t usually think of the garage as living space, it can become quite crucial in the event of a kitchen or bathroom remodel. For one thing, a remodeling crew is going to cramp the space a family has typically to spread out. But, perhaps even more essential is that the family can use the garage for a temporary kitchen or bath during the remodel.

Temporary kitchens can feature plug-in appliances, a small table, a mini-fridge, and more. The area can reflect the immediate needs of the family involved.

A temporary bathroom can be set up using a large tub for bathing, a camping potty for emergencies, and a bowl and mirror for shaving and other beauty routines. While it isn’t ideal, it will get the family through the worst of the reno without having to pay for an expensive motel or impose on friends or neighbors for temporary living quarters or middle-of-the-night bathroom trips. 

Added home value

Not only will an epoxy floor help the family through the process of a remodeling project, but it will also add long term value to the family home. Most remodeling is intended to be an upgrade of the house, and an epoxy floor in the garage is definitely in line with that goal. Once the renovation is complete, the epoxy floor will remain a beautiful addition to the garage for years to come.