Mechanical Polish - Urban Concrete Floors

What is a Mechanical Polish and How Does it Differ from Grind and Seal?

Mechanical Polishing

A mechanically polished concrete floor is an extremely durable and luxurious finish.

Unlike other concrete finishes, mechanical polishing is a complex, multi-step process that involves grinding down the concrete and polishing it to achieve the desired look, whether it be a matt, satin, or full gloss finish. This process does not involve applying a topical coating over the surface. Instead, heavy-duty concrete polishers use different grits during polishing to make the concrete itself shine.

The Polishing Process

Concrete is not considered polished before achieving a 400-grit finish. Typically, it is finished to either 800, 1500, or 3000 grit. The polishing process involves between 15 and 17+ separate steps, ensuring a high-quality, long-lasting finish.

Grind and Seal

In contrast, a grind and seal 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.

Did you know?

Hey there, concrete flooring enthusiasts! Ever stopped to wonder how we ended up with the sleek and shiny marvel that is ‘polished concrete’? keep reading, for a quick trip through time and discover the surprising twists and turns in the history of this versatile flooring option!

Concrete’s Ancient Beginnings Believe it or not, concrete has been gracing our world since 6500 B.C. Archaeologists have found evidence of concrete floors in Syria that…

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Hey there, concrete flooring enthusiasts! Ever stopped to wonder how we ended up with the sleek and shiny marvel that is ‘polished concrete’? keep reading, for a quick trip through time and discover the surprising twists and turns in the history of this versatile flooring option!

Concrete’s Ancient Beginnings Believe it or not, concrete has been gracing our world since 6500 B.C. Archaeologists have found evidence of concrete floors in Syria that date back to the dawn of civilization. Fast forward to the Roman Republic era, and the Romans were already mixing up a concoction of lime, sand, volcanic ash, milk, and even animal fat to create a cementitious substance as hard as the modern-day unreinforced cement concrete we know and love.

The Game-Changing Invention – the real game-changer came in 1824. An English bricklayer named Joseph Aspdin revolutionized the concrete world by inventing Portland cement. By finely grinding chalk, mixing it with clay, and burning it in a limekiln, he created the strongest form of cement in history. Thanks to this innovation, concrete production soared, and its applications expanded to bridges, streets, rural roads, and even high-rise buildings, thanks to Thomas Edison’s advancements in rotary kiln technology.

The Birth of Decorative Polished Concrete While ancient concrete floors were often covered with hardwood or paint for aesthetic appeal, the 1950s saw a decorative revolution. Contractors began stamping patterns into concrete, transforming it from a utilitarian material into a design feature. Imagine wood-grain textures and intricate patterns created with latex and plastic stamps!

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting: In the 1990s, a happy accident in Tunisia led to the discovery of polished concrete. Workers accidentally polished a concrete floor dry, unveiling a stunning finish that took the world by storm. This serendipitous discovery marked the beginning of a new era for polished concrete, with techniques evolving and improving every year since.

The Future is Bright (and Shiny!) Fast forward to the 2000s, and polished concrete floors have become works of art, with new techniques and materials constantly being developed to create floors of unimaginable beauty. In recent years, the industry has introduced various cementitious materials that can emulate the look of polished concrete, offering durable and seamless flooring solutions as alternatives to traditional concrete.

So, the next time you walk on a polished concrete floor, remember the quirky and fascinating journey that brought this versatile material into our homes, businesses, and hearts!

Mechanical polish vs Grind and seal

Key Differences

Durability: Mechanical polishing creates a more durable surface as it is the concrete itself that is polished and strengthened.
Finish: Mechanical polishing achieves a natural shine from the concrete, whereas grind and seal relies on a topical coating to provide sheen.
Maintenance: Mechanically polished floors generally require less maintenance as there is no topical layer that can wear down over time. In contrast, a grind and seal, due to the basic nature of the process, can get dirty easily and be difficult to clean.
Steps Involved: Mechanical polishing is a more intensive process involving multiple steps and different grit levels to achieve the desired finish.

Making the Right Choice

If you are considering a polished concrete floor or other concrete flooring finishes, it is crucial to do your homework. Speak with your builder to ensure that they, firstly, know the difference between a mechanical polish and a grind and seal, and secondly, can help guide you through the process of selecting and achieving a true, quality mechanically polished floor. The pour, process, and price per square meter can vary significantly.

Part of the process in specifying a mechanical polish should involve visiting a concrete supplier, ie Vic Mix, and select the concrete color, stone color, and level of exposure that meet your needs. For a full gloss finish, your slab should be poured to a 32Mpa strength by a concreter/builder experienced in installing a mechanically polished slab.

Choosing a mechanical polish requires early planning. Discuss this option with your architect, builder, and our team at Urban Floors before pouring your slab.

Comprehensive Concrete Solutions

At Urban Floors, we offer a full spectrum of concrete floor finishes. Our specialists are available to discuss the benefits of each option and help you make an informed decision for your project.

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