Polished concrete: what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Polished concrete is a type of coating that comes from the industrial field but the evolution of trends in the sector has made it extend its range of application. This is due to the properties that it has, among which a solid but aesthetic appearance at the same time and a very high resistance to traffic stand out.
Thanks to these, it has expanded, more and more, among homes and offices although it continues to be very used in parking lots or factories. In the end, who doesn't want floors with a modern style and resistant?
But here we find one of its handicaps: that it can only be applied on pavements. Anyway, we are going to analyze it in depth, detailing its advantages and disadvantages, so that you understand what it can bring to each space, or if, on the other hand, there are other materials that adapt better.
First of all, what is polished concrete
Dining room with views to the garden in which the floor has been covered with polished concrete.
First of all, what is polished concrete
Polished concrete is a material that is becoming increasingly popular in interior and exterior decoration. It is a finishing technique for concrete surfaces that is characterised by its smooth, uniform and shiny appearance. For its flexibility and durability, a mechanical polishing process is used with special diamond tools that remove the surface layer of the concrete and expose the aggregate and cement paste beneath.
Polished cement is composed of the same materials as conventional concrete: Portland cement, sand, water, and aggregates. However, it is used in a different proportion to achieve greater strength and durability. In addition, special additives are added to improve the manageability, strength, and durability of the material.
This type of cement has been historically used on surfaces exposed to high and heavy traffic, such as in warehouses, parking lots, and sports facilities. However, today, its use has been extended to a wide variety of applications, from restaurants and commercial premises, interior floor and wall surfaces, to exteriors and building facades.
One of the main advantages of polished cement is its high-resistance to wear, abrasion, and compression, which makes it especially suitable for high-traffic areas. In addition, it is resistant to stains and is easy to clean and maintain.
Polished cement has become a popular option for modern and minimalist interior designs due to its smooth and uniform appearance. As a decorative coating, it is applied directly to the floor creating a continuous and modern finish, making it a great ally to achieve rooms with a contemporary and avant-garde atmosphere.
It is important to note that polished cement requires a careful installation process and specific maintenance to minimize the risk of fracture. Therefore, it is essential that this type of work is carried out by professionals with the necessary experience and skills to ensure a quality result.
How is polished cement made?
Polished cement is a very versatile material that is used in multiple applications due to its high strength and durability. From its use in interior and exterior pavements, to wall coverings, stairs, or kitchen and bathroom countertops, polished cement has become a very popular option in the world of construction and decoration.
Although it is characterized by the ease with which its ingredients mix, it is important to note that to achieve an optimal mix it is necessary to have a professional concrete mixer. The help of this machine is fundamental to achieve a homogeneous mass between sand, aggregates, cement, and water.
The use of a concrete mixer also ensures the uniformity of the mix, preventing the appearance of irregularities and possible defects on the final surface. Moreover, its use reduces the preparation and transport time of the mix, which results in greater efficiency on site.
The polished cement mix can be made in situ, that is, in the same place where the application will take place. This immediacy facilitates preparation, transport, and re-coating tasks, reducing the risk of errors in the process.
It is important to note that, although polished cement is durable, its maintenance is key for long-term preservation. For this reason, regular cleaning and the use of specific products that do not damage the surface are recommended.
In conclusion, polished cement is a material that offers multiple advantages and possibilities in the fields of construction and decoration. Its easy mix, strength, and durability, coupled with proper maintenance, guarantee a high-quality and satisfactory final result for the customer. The use of a professional concrete mixer for the mix, as well as the correct cleaning and maintenance, are key to ensure its correct application and durability.
How to apply polished cement on floors?
Polished cement is a highly demanded material currently in the construction of floors. It is chosen by many people due to its elegant, modern and minimalist look, as well as its durability. Its application requires a rigorous and well-planned process to guarantee a perfect finish.
1- Floor Preparation
Before applying polished cement, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the application area and its surroundings. This includes the removal of any dirt and the removal of objects that may obstruct the application process.
After cleaning the surface, the base is then formwork so that the concrete can be poured on it. This process is very important as it ensures the stability of the structure. The duration of the formwork process depends on the surface to be treated, the larger the surface, the longer the duration.
2- Formwork
After cleaning and preparing the ground, the base must be formwork so that the concrete can be poured onto it. The formwork is a structure that surrounds and delimits the area where the concrete is going to be poured, and it can be made of different materials such as wood or metal.
The formwork must be completely level to ensure that the surface of the ground is uniform after the concrete has been poured. In addition, it is important that the formwork has the appropriate height so that the layer of concrete has the desired thickness. In general, it is recommended that the formwork has a thickness of about 10 cm so that the layer of concrete has the necessary strength.
3- Placement of mesh
The placement of mesh is a fundamental step in the application of polished cement. The mesh is a steel wire network that is placed on the base to increase the resistance and stability of the surface.
It is important that this step is carried out by professionals, who will determine whether or not the placement of mesh is necessary, depending on the surface and the use that is going to be made of the floor.
4- Pouring of concrete
Once the base is formwork and the mesh is placed, the concrete is poured. It is essential that the concrete mixture is homogeneous so that the result is optimal. Once the concrete is poured, the surface is smoothed and leveled. For this, an aluminum rule is used, with which the concrete is spread and smoothed.
It is important to keep in mind that the drying time of the concrete will depend on the weather conditions and the amount of humidity in the environment. Therefore, it is recommended to wait at least a couple of days to ensure that the concrete is completely dry before continuing with the next step.
5- Smoothing
Smoothing is the final step in the application of polished concrete. Once the concrete is completely dry, a polishing machine equipped with diamond discs is used to polish and smooth the surface.
It is important that this step is performed by professionals, as the polishing process is very delicate and any mistakes can ruin all the previous work. It is advisable to pass the machine several times over the surface to achieve the desired shine and the smooth, uniform finish being sought.
In conclusion, the application of polished concrete requires a rigorous and well-planned process, from surface preparation to final smoothing. Each step is important and should be done by professionals to ensure the desired final result. A well-applied polished concrete floor is a durable and elegant investment, providing a resistant and easy-to-maintain surface over time.
Polished concrete is a material for both indoors and outdoors
Its qualities make polished concrete an ideal material for interiors. Despite its industrial look, it creates comfortable environments and fills rooms with warmth. Furthermore, its resistance to traffic plays a fundamental role, making it a long-lasting pavement, whatever the environmental conditions it may have to endure.
A kitchen open to the dining room whose floor has been covered with polished concrete.
Polished concrete knows no boundaries when it comes to interiors and exteriors as although its use is much more extensive in internal areas, thanks to its resistance and durability it is more than suitable for use in outdoor spaces. This versatility has made it a leading construction technique in recent times.
Polished concrete in industrial floors
As we mentioned earlier, in its beginnings, polished concrete became the pavement par excellence of industrial places. Thus, it was (and still is) very common to find it in parking lots, warehouses, shopping centers, or supermarkets. This is because it could withstand any car, van, truck, heavy machinery, or large numbers of people passing over it.
Thus, over time and without abandoning its industrial origin, it began to become a more than recurrent technical and decorative trend to cover spaces within the domestic domain.
Polished concrete in domestic floors
Kitchen open to the living room whose floor has been covered with polished concrete.
The evolution of polished concrete has shifted towards home cladding. In this way, its use can transform homes into more comfortable places. Its rough or rustic appearance began to win the taste of professional architects and interior designers to bring all and every one of its attributes to more personal spaces.
In this way, it is increasingly used as flooring for entire homes or individual rooms. Bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, no space is excluded from the charms of this material.
Advantages of floors covered with polished concrete
Polished concrete is a material that has gained much popularity in recent years due to its countless benefits.
Minimalist living room whose floor has been covered with polished concrete.
Great durability and resistance
Among them, it stands out its great durability and resistance, making it ideal for high traffic areas, such as the corridors of public buildings or the loading and unloading areas in industrial warehouses.
In addition, this material is highly resistant to tire wear, making it an ideal choice for garage or warehouse floors. Its ability to withstand heavy loads without suffering damage makes it especially suitable for industrial and commercial environments.
Easy to clean
Another great advantage of polished concrete is its ease of cleaning. Its smooth surface prevents the accumulation of dust and dirt, resulting in easy and quick cleaning. Consequently, this material is a good option for those spaces that require constant cleaning, such as hospitals, clinics, and schools.
Provides a sense of spaciousness
In addition to being easy to clean, polished concrete floors provide a sense of spaciousness to any space. Its smooth and uniform surface gives the impression that the room is larger than it actually is. This feature is especially useful in small spaces, like apartments or commercial spaces, where space is limited. Moreover, polished concrete floors have a modern and elegant finish that can adapt to any decorative style.
Compression resistance
Another benefit of polished concrete is its resistance to compression. This material is able to support large amounts of weight without suffering structural damage. This is the reason why polished concrete floors are a good choice for any space that requires a high resistance to compression, such as industrial and commercial facilities.
Drawbacks of a material like polished concrete
While it is true that polished concrete has some advantages that make it a considerable option for flooring, it also has some disadvantages that might lead us to choose another type of material when covering floors.
Its initial shine does not last forever
As mentioned earlier, polished concrete shows an impressive initial shine which fades over time. This is an issue that cannot be solved with a simple cleaning, but requires a complete restoration of the floor to recover its original appearance.
Therefore, if you wish for the polished concrete to maintain its shiny appearance, it is important to keep in mind that it will be necessary to carry out regular maintenance.
Requires the help of specific machinery
The installation of a high-quality polished concrete floor greatly depends on the equipment used for its application and maintenance.
The use of manual tools to apply the concrete does not guarantee a uniform, durable finish, so it is necessary to invest in specialized machinery. However, this investment may be costly for some projects, which makes polished concrete not the most suitable option in some cases.
Limited insulating capacity
Polished cement is not the most suitable material to improve acoustic and thermal insulation indoors. Although special treatments can be applied to enhance these properties, their effectiveness is limited. Therefore, if insulation is a critical factor for your project, you might need to consider other flooring options.
It has expansion joints
Polished cement requires the installation of expansion joints to prevent it from cracking over time. Although these joints are necessary, they often become visible and can disrupt the uniformity of the floor. Also, dirt can accumulate in these joints, which can make cleaning harder and reduce the durability of the flooring.
High thermal sensitivity
Polished cement is sensitive to thermal variations, which can result in surface cracks. This is particularly true in extreme climates, where temperatures can change significantly throughout the day. If your project is located in an area with extreme temperature shifts, you might need to consider other flooring options.
It is very heavy
Polished cement is a heavy material, which can cause issues in certain situations. For instance, if you want to install polished cement on an upper floor, you must check that the building can support the extra weight. Furthermore, the weight of polished cement makes its application more complicated and requires more time and resources than other coating materials.
Kitchen with wooden furniture and floor coated with polished cement.
How much does the m2 of polished cement cost?
If we go by intuition and consider this material's escalating use in any kind of space, we might think that polished cement has an excellent quality/price ratio.
We don't disagree, but this, as in any case of applying coverings where the material itself isn't the only factor, depends on other external factors.
Decisive factors for determining its price
In addition to the dimension of the surface to be applied, there are many other variables that intervene in the final price calculation of a polished concrete job. In this case, it's clear: the more meters to be covered, the higher the amount to be paid.
Another aspect to keep in mind is the location of the area where the material is intended to be applied, as if it is located in outdoor areas, it can increase the final sum because these are usually spaces where temperature and humidity conditions hamper tasks, or they may require specific treatments.
The finishes. Let's not forget that polished concrete, as its name suggests, needs to be smoothed out in a mandatory way. This process directly affects the finish that aims to be achieved and, to do this, it is indispensable to have machinery that allows us to achieve the desired shine.
Finally, its price, which we cannot determine precisely since this can depend on the rates of the professional in question who will be responsible for carrying out the work. Even so, and as an estimate, the cost of the material is between 40 and 50 €.
Small kitchen whose floor has been covered with polished concrete.
Microcement: an alternative to polished concrete for floors and other surfaces
As we mentioned earlier, due to its weight, polished concrete can only be applied on horizontal surfaces and of low height such as floors. And although on these it does respond with solvency to aesthetic and technical expectations, its use, in general, is very limited.
On the other hand, microcement, much lighter thanks to its thickness of 3 mm, can be applied on any type of surface regardless of whether it is vertical, horizontal, or whether it is located indoors or outdoors.
In the end, microcement is a continuous decorative coating with a series of advantages that polished concrete cannot reach, as it not only does not generate joints but is also more resistant, more durable, easier to apply, more versatile, and with greater decorative aptitudes as it can be easily mixed with any color.
If you want to know more about another flooring coating, we recommend you discover our microcement for floors.