Polished Concrete
Higher Ground Floors have been providing professional polished concrete services for over a decade, including all aspects of grinding, polishing and sealing. Polished concrete is essentially the result of progressively grounding concrete with a range of grinding/polishing tools and techniques, before adding chemical agents, such as concrete sealers, epoxies and densifiers, that combine to harden and protect the upper layer of concrete against impact, damage and moisture. We also use a range of concrete stains, dyes and specialised products designed to enhance the final finish, as well refined techniques such as scoring, creating radial lines, grids, bands and borders to create that extra dimension to a beautifully polished concrete floor.
Polished concrete is considered to be a modern and stylised finish whilst also being a long lasting and low maintenance floor. Traditionally used and associated with more industrial buildings such as processing plants, factories and manufacturing, polished concrete floors imbue a contemporary industrial quality. Being hard wearing, easy to clean and non porous, they're used extensively in commercial kitchens, interior and exterior living areas, bathrooms, garages, high-end retail and showrooms. Polished Concrete is also a sustainable and resourceful option where an existing concrete slab exists, making use of materials already present.
There are several processes involved in rendering a beautifully polished concrete floor. The first step requires grinding the concrete back to an even and smooth surface, exposing the stone elements and aggregate within the concrete. We then grout the surface, filling in any cracks, holes and blemishes before adding a densifier to harden the top surface against impact and wear. Lastly we polish and seal to a desired 'grit', texture or smoothness including non-slip, matt and gloss.
The benefits and features of polished concrete are many, including being low-maintenance, durable, stain resistant and easier to clean, meaning less dust mites, bacteria and airborne allergens typically associated with carpets and to a lesser extent floor boards. Polished concrete is also less prone to moisture related problems, such as mould and unpleasant odours. Polished concrete flooring is hard wearing and will not chip or dent like softer surfaces. The occasional clean using a warm soapy disinfectant is the only recommended maintenance. A hardened and polished concrete floor has an extremely long life expectancy when compared to other flooring types, with the potential to out live many occupancies when properly maintained.
"The benefits and features of polished concrete are many, including being low-maintenance, durable, stain resistant and easier to clean, meaning less dust mites, bacteria and airborne allergens typically associated with carpets and to a lesser extent floor boards. Polished concrete is also less prone to moisture related problems, such as mould and unpleasant odours."
Modern Style
Polished concrete is considered to be a modern and stylised finish whilst also being a long lasting and low maintenance floor. Traditionally used and associated with more industrial buildings such as processing plants, factories and manufacturing, polished concrete floors imbue a contemporary industrial quality.
Concrete Grinding & Polishing
Concrete Grinding or otherwise referred to as diamond cutting, is the progressive process of mechanically defacing or stripping the upper surface of concrete, with the objective of exposing the stone elements and aggregate within the concrete, whilst rendering a smooth and even surface.
Concrete Grinding or otherwise referred to as diamond cutting, is the progressive process of mechanically defacing or stripping the upper surface of concrete, with the objective of exposing the stone elements and aggregate within the concrete, whilst rendering a smooth and even surface. At Higher Ground Floors, we use a range of professional grinding tools and techniques to meet varied and specific customer requirements and are able to grind new or old concrete floor surfaces to a matt or high-gloss finish. We use progressively finer grades of diamonds, referred to as 'grit' in order to render a smoother surface, much like timber sanding. Generally speaking, concrete is considered polished when cut to a grit of about 400 or more. Typically, we like to finish our floors on a fine grit that can range between 800, 1500, or even up to 3000, unless required otherwise.
Trained Husqvarna HiPERFLOOR®
Higher Ground Floors are an experienced and trained Husqvarna HiPERFLOOR® provider.
Developed by Husqvarna, HiPERFLOOR® is a complete concrete surface polishing system that involves the grinding, polishing and chemical treatment of new or existing concrete. When professionally implemented, HiPERFLOOR® polished concrete floors provide a striking, modern, hard wearing, stain and abrasion resistant flooring. The technique involves the grinding or diamond cutting of concrete to expose the stone elements within the concrete to a smooth, even and or non slip surface. Depending on the requirements of the job, we can cut to a specific grit (grade of smoothness). Once the stone has been exposed and floor cut to specification, we then grout the surface, filling in any cracks or blemishes before adding a chemical densifier to harden the top surface from impact, wear and damage. Lastly we polish and seal to a desired 'grit', texture or smoothness, adding a final sealer that protects and retains the floors lustre.
The resulting finish is a modern looking and very durable floor that is functional, easy to maintain and in all likelihood, will withstand a lifetime of use.
Concrete Sealers
Concrete sealers and densifiers are an extremely important part of the concrete flooring process in that they help harden and protect against surface damage, corrosion and staining.
At Higher Ground Floors, we only use and recommend premium quality sealers, liquid densifiers and hardeners, essentially because they are more effective at minimising problems associated with excessive dust during grinding whilst ensuring a quality hardened and moisture resistant surface, that will last a life time of wear and tear.
There are two main types of sealers, topical and penetrating sealers, that either form an impermeable layer or work to block the pores in the concrete, thus reducing or repelling the absorption of moisture. Due to significant product enhancements over many decades, these days high quality concrete sealers are able to block up to 99% of surface moisture. Topical sealers form an impermeable surface coating, whereas penetrating sealers are a reactive agent designed to change/reduce the porous structure within the concrete.
We also use a range of concrete stains, dyes and specialised products designed to enhance the final finish.
Cut & Seal
Cut and Seal is a pared-back and cost effective solution that presents with all the characteristics of 'polished concrete' but without the additional processes, refinements and costs associated with the more premium and high-gloss surface finishes. Due to the additional 'grit' preserved in the grinding process, 'cut, seal and polish' is particularly suitable where a non-slip or matt finish is desirable. Typically the floor is ground twice or three times, depending upon how much stone and aggregate needs to be exposed. The floors is then grouted, filling in any holes or cracks before two coats of sealer are applied, providing the final lustre in the surface finish.
Economy and the practical nature of extra grit, makes our 'cut, seal and polish' service an attractive option for outdoor living and pool areas, driveways, paths, garages and large scale industrial floors. Like all pared-back solutions, longevity and the need to re-apply become important considerations.
