Polished concrete overlay floor is a great way to update your home, and add value. They can be alternatives to tile or wood flooring.
Do you want to know if polished concrete overlay floor is for you? By the end of this article, you’ll be able to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of polished concrete overlay floor.
With this knowledge, you’ll be able to make an educated decision if they’re perfect for your home or your business’ building. Let’s begin.
What is a polished concrete overlay floor?
If you’re not into tiles and wood flooring, polished concrete overlay floor might be for you. Like tiled surfaces, they have a polished finish. But, they’re more durable and easier to maintain than tiles.
You can also stain them with a colour that complements the interior of your home, and you can use them to add a more luxurious or elegant look for any space.
They are made by applying a polished concrete mixture on an existing floor surface and then finishing it.
Polished concrete overlay floor: Advantages
What would you gain if you used polished concrete overlay floor? You’ve read some hints on some of its beneficial uses, but we’ll dive deeper into them below.
Thinner floors
Does your space need a more contemporary or sleek finish? Then, polished concrete floors are perfect for you. Unlike other flooring finish, polished concrete overlay floor can be polished to a thinner range. This results in less polished texture, giving a more contemporary and sleek vibe to your interior.
Versatile design
Versatility means being able to adapt to any conditions. This type of floor finish is versatile in a way that it can be coloured to any hue to adapt to your interior. They can even be stamped with patterns or surface designs. There are many ways to decide how the finished product would look. You can decide if you’d like an extra shine, a colour enhancement, or to add textured beads to make it more slip-resistant.
Long-Lasting
If you want to invest in something that would last for a long time, then polished concrete overlay floor is for you. Concrete is a hard material that resists a lot of damage. All you need to do is maintain them properly with a sealer. Clean them up with a broom, a vacuum or a mop to keep dirt away. In a nutshell, it’s a luxurious-looking floor finish that’s durable and relatively low maintenance.
More environmentally friendly
Did you know that concrete overlay floors are more eco-friendly than other materials like tiles? That’s because this method of floor finish leverage a pre-existing surface. It also uses fewer materials to create a new floor. Because the materials used are durable, you won’t need to worry about replacing them regularly as compared to other floor types.
More affordable
You won’t have to spend additional money on new flooring material like tiles. All you need to do is apply floor coatings to an existing concrete floor, and you’re good to go.
Polished concrete overlay floor: Disadvantages
All good things have their disadvantage. And disadvantages are used to decipher whether this flooring finish is for you. How? If you’ve been made aware of the disadvantages and still find it worth it, then it’s probably a fit for your needs. Let’s explore some of its disadvantages below.
Scratches easily
Because polished concrete overlay floor can be polished to a thinner range, they have less protection. That means, it can scratch easily. To counter this, you’ll need to polish it regularly to maintain its polished appearance.
Difficult to DIY
When you make a mistake in installing this type of flooring, it can be costly and difficult to correct. For example, when it’s applied incorrectly or if it has been stained, the concrete itself needs to be removed and reapplied.
You will need to buy from polished concrete floor suppliers again, which is not only costly but time-consuming as well.
To avoid making costly mistakes, seek the help of polished concrete contractors Sydney.
You must correct floor problems first.
If you’re looking for a quality finish, it’s important that your current floor is in great condition. If the overlaying floor has cracks, holes or other damage, the overlay will settle to fill these depressions. By insisting on adding the overlay without fixing these damages, cracking may develop over time. Hence, fix these first.
Hard and cold surface
Do you dislike the feeling of hard and cold concrete under your feet? Then, you might prefer carpet or other materials instead. You can also add rugs to cushion your feet. Put them on certain areas of your floor. You can also use a fluffy indoor slipper.
Polished concrete overlay floor can be slippery.
If polished concrete overlays are not sealed well, the floor can be slippery. In this case, you may need to clean up spills immediately. As such leaks or water from an air conditioner can cause damage and slip hazards for your family members and guests who visit.
Is polished concrete overlay floor for you?
Each type of floorings have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the same can be said with polished concrete overlays. This type of flooring is for you if you enjoy a polished concrete finish that’s thin and sleek. It’s also great if you’re looking for an eco-friendly, durable and versatile way to style your floor.
However, if you find hard, cold and slippery floors unacceptable, then there are many other options you can choose like wood flooring and carpet finish.
Here are the maintenance challenges of polished concrete overlay floor.
Despite the fact that polished concrete overlay floor is incredibly resilient, they must nevertheless be cleaned and maintained correctly on a regular basis. This is especially true if they are positioned in business or retail establishments with high foot circulation. Although polished concrete overlay floor do not require any upkeep, they are often easier to maintain than other forms of ornamental concrete floors since they do not require waxing or sealing. Most of the time, polished concrete overlays are used to cover up damaged floors and provide a totally smooth, seam-free surface appearance. In other circumstances, owners want to add decorative cuts to an existing floor to make it more appealing.
A polished concrete overlay floor give the appearance of polished concrete without allowing the faults in the underlying slab to be visible. When compared to other options such as concrete resurfacing, a polished concrete overlays provide a quicker response time. Another feature that customers appreciate about polished concrete overlay floor is that they can be easily coloured or decorated with a decorative coating, that it is ecologically friendly, mold and mildew resistant, and, above all, cost-effective. A smooth, low-maintenance surface is provided by polished concrete overlays, which can be specifically matched to the desired hue and are extremely durable. Furthermore, they are an excellent solution when the current concrete is in such poor condition, such as when it is cracked, pitted, or out of level. In these circumstances polishing the old concrete would seem unpleasant and overly industrial.
Polished Concrete Overlay Floor: The Maintenance Challenges
Porosity
As concrete dries, the evaporating water generates pores that allow the concrete to breathe. Some of these gaps can be sealed by polishing, but it is practically hard to create a surface that is impervious to moisture. In most cases, when concrete darkens, it is due to water soaking into the pores of the concrete. This porosity makes it difficult for dirt and stains to adhere to the surface.
Stains
You might be familiar with the splatter stain that appears in the pickle section of your local grocery store. This is because concrete is etched when an acidic liquid is allowed to seep into the pores of the concrete. It is critical to shield the slab from these stains before polishing the concrete to avoid damage.
Reparability
Vinyl Composite Tile (VCT) is a low-maintenance flooring option. Scrubbing or stripping the place, then recoating and burnishing it back to an even appearance can be done depending on the type of defect.
Maintenance
Many concrete polishing Sydney processes finish with a protective layer known as a “guard.” This type of protection is usually in the form of topical coatings that aid to resist stains and emit shine. Guards are frequently employed to reduce the amount of time spent polishing concrete to a high gloss appearance. The problem with guards is that they are sacrificial coatings that must be maintained through recoating and burnishing. This is a significant challenge. Protective coatings have features that are like those of VCT coatings. Because of this, facilities are presented with the same difficulties that they had with VCT, but with a flooring type that they are less familiar with and hence less prepared to deal with them.
Why Polished Concrete Overlay Floor Maintenance Matters?
There is a general misperception that a polished concrete overlay takes no upkeep, whereas in actuality, maintaining polished concrete floors merely necessitates minimal effort. It is necessary to take precautions to guarantee that a finished floor retains its finished appearance. This article will describe frequent difficulties experienced by owners of polished concrete floors, as well as how to resolve them using the safest and most cost-effective alternatives available. It goes without saying that your polished concrete floors were an investment, and as such, it must be protected at all costs. Having said that, polished concrete finish requires frequent cleaning, stain removal, and periodic thorough cleaning, just like any other type of flooring. By using the correct tools, chemicals, and pads, you can ensure not only a long-term floor but a floor that will last a lifetime.
How Can You Maintain Your Polished Concrete Overlay Floor?
Consistently Perform Maintenance
One of the most important aspects of maintaining your polished concrete overlays are keeping them clean and clear of dangerous debris and chemicals. Daily sweeping (ideally with a microfiber cloth) is required to keep the floor free of dirt, dust, and hair. This will avoid polish abrasion. Consider daily mopping with clean water to remove dirt and debris. Using pH neutral products is only required for cleaning harder dirt. Using harsh chemicals like ammonia, bleach, or vinegar can damage and discolor the concrete.
Clean Up Spills
Cleaning up after a spill is an easy method to keep your new polished concrete finish stain-free. You may be drinking your morning coffee when you lose your hold and drop your mug on the concrete. A coffee spill on concrete may create a nasty mark. Grab a clean paper towel to wipe up any spills before they soak into the floor. Then blot up the extra coffee with a moist paper towel.
Use Microfiber
If you have pets or a lot of visitors, you should use a microfiber. Microfiber has over 200,000 fibres per inch, making it more absorbent and effective than conventional cleaning options.
Mop Regularly
Polished concrete floors Sydney are easy to clean but require care. Regular mopping with pure water will help remove grime. To clean your concrete floors, mop them in parts.
Ready to get a polished concrete overlay?
For your polished concrete overlay floor needs, contact Renucrete! We offer different flooring services which could be a great flooring solutions Sydney for you in the future. Check us out and give us a call!
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