The term ‘polished concrete’ is perhaps the most misused term in the industry and hence can create confusion and an unrealized expectation. A grind and seal differs in many ways to a ‘mechanical polish’ in quality, durability, process, appearance, suitability, upkeep, and price.
Our Urban Warehouse finish is a rustic, warehouse look. It is typically used on older slabs that have a character that you want to retain and enhance, complete with cracks and other imperfections, and some other customers want to create this look on a new slab.
Working with an existing slab, we are limited by the age and quality of your slab, how it was poured, what is already in the slab, and the depth and distribution of the aggregate (stones). Quite often, it is only when we commence the job that the characteristics, and quality of the slab unfolds! We typically grind back 3mm and if more exposure is required, we will discuss this with you first as the price can vary the deeper, we grind.
However, not every grind and seal is considered equal, so if you are comparing quotes, it is important that you compare on a number of variables.
for instance:
We can use a variety of sealers; acrylic, epoxy or polyurethane, based on the project specifications and requirements and can create your desired finish in either gloss, satin or matte.
An older, more weathered slab, usually doesn’t have the necessary strength to polish and an Urban Warehouse finish is just the finish to complement its character. This finish can and does look awesome and has a real urban feel!
Again, it is important to discuss your project and budget with our flooring specialist and do your research before deciding on the right finish for you. It is important when choosing this type of finish that you understand that we can only achieve what the slab allows us to, as we only grind what’s there. If you are happy to let the slab unfold as we work, then it can and does look awesome!
With a ground and sealed finish, the gloss is achieved from a topical sealer. The process is simpler, involves less steps and is a much more basic finish.
We typically only recommend ground & sealed concrete as a more affordable alternative to polished concrete, or decorative overlay, in commercial projects where a more rustic, basic finish is required – we usually do not recommend this finish for a residential home or environment where a quality look and feel is required.
A grind and sealed finish involves grinding the concrete to a certain level and then applying a topical coating over the surface. This coating can be made of various materials, such as epoxy, polyurethane, or acrylic, and provides a protective layer that sits on top of the concrete.
A grind and seal is quite a basic finish, and due to the thousands of micropores that appear after the grinding process, the topical sealer will find its way into these pores and, like grout, trap dirt, which is very difficult to clean. We generally don’t recommend a grind and seal for residential homes for this reason.
Here are the steps for a grind and seal finish:
A mechanical polish is more labor intensive and costs about double that of a grind/seal. It is very important that customers understand the differences as well as their builder, concreter and/or architect to ensure that the finish intended is the finish supplied.
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Upon completion of our projects, we provide customers with a Care & Maintenance Guide for
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