Approaching the issues involved with polished concrete from the contractor’s point of view may help a designer make the proper decision of whether to coat or polish the surface....
Good article ... but I think you brought up a point that bears a little more attention, and that is existing or newly built slabs ... a builder of fine furniture has the luxury of examining the wood he uses and can chose accordingly, but for a polisher, it can be a "pig in a poke" proposition and in my experience, specifications should serve the whim of the concrete and not the customer. For this to change it is up to the industry as a whole to get behind, not just better machines, tooling and chemicals, but better and more universal specifications for the slab itself ...
Comment from John Kazalonis, (5/11/2017, 4:03 PM)
Absolutely. Some attempts have been made at this, but as you note, the industry as a whole has not really stepped up to the plate. Part of the problem is the overlapping, and sometimes conflicting, "authorities" on the subject of concrete mix design, placement, finishing, and performance measurements. But that is true for all flooring trades. An example is the measurements for floor flatness. They are geared toward measuring the performance of the installation contractor, not what the actual flatness of the floor will be when the polisher begins his work. That same issue applies to other flooring trades. Hopefully, with polished concrete becoming a larger part of the architectural enhancements in buildings, architects and specifiers will be demanding, and using, appropriate specifications.
Comment from Rosa Cheney, (7/31/2017, 10:19 AM)
Even with chemical grouts and applied sealers...for a concrete polished floor used in a decorative location, would you recommend having a floor wax applied and buffed as part of ongoing maintenance - like an epoxy terrazzo floor would have?
Please sign in or take 2 minutes to register now. You’ll have a wealth of searchable resources at your fingertips, including news, videos, webinars, problem-solving forums and much more.
