When you think about concrete flooring, you might picture those plain gray slabs often found in empty warehouse spaces or those displayed in home improvement stores. Cold and unattractive concrete floors fulfill their basic function but do nothing to enhance the beauty of their surroundings.
Conversely, polished concrete floors provide endless colors, finishes, gleams, styles, designs, and textures for businesses and homeowners. These flooring systems are the fastest-growing trend in today's marketplace and are becoming highly sought-after features in many commercial and residential settings.
But how much do polished concrete floors cost? There are multiple factors that a trusted concrete flooring contractor needs to evaluate when pricing your concrete flooring job.
Several crucial elements impacting the cost of polished concrete include:
If the current concrete slab has been damaged, cracked, or has many divots and holes, extra products and labor will be required to fix and repair these imperfections properly. Many different products are designed for concrete repair, and you must hire a contractor who understands the materials required for your project.
For instance, products designed for crack repair may not be suitable for use in your holes or divots. Once more, grouts made for tiny pin-hole-sized imperfections won't work well for flaws the size of a nickel or a quarter. Like in every trade, more skill and knowledge are needed than what first appears at a glance.
If an old concrete floor is in poor condition, it might need resurfacing or a concrete overlay. Uneven slabs, numerous bumps, and significant elevation changes won't provide a proper surface for polishing machines to work on and will make your project unable to polish. This may be required if you are set on having the polished concrete look in your space.
A polished concrete floor can achieve different shines and levels of gloss.
As a rule of thumb, the greater the polish you desire for your place, the higher the cost, as it needs additional time and diamond-tooling to install properly.
The location of the area you need polished is another important factor flooring contractors must consider when estimating your project. Due to the procedures needed for polishing and honing your concrete flooring, larger floors can occasionally be cheaper to prepare than smaller ones, mainly because of the difficulty level and ease of access. When areas have to be manually polished manually, it will require considerably more time to complete than large industrial polishing machines.
Furthermore, the logistical conditions of your space significantly influence the final cost. Installations on the ground floor are typically less expensive than polished concrete installations found in penthouse apartments or office buildings, primarily because of their easier accessibility.
Like most flooring options, the more complex and detailed your preferred design, the higher the overall cost. A contractor's fees may differ based on the specific designs you install.
When polishing concrete, grits are referred to as the benchmark for smoothness and light reflection. Lower grits usually produce a soft and less reflective look. The higher the grit, the smoother and more reflective a polished concrete floor will be. The finish grits are usually between 100 and 3000, with higher numbers producing a higher gloss.
100-200 grit—Low-gloss honed finish. There should be no visible scratches and a smooth industrial look with uniform color and texture. These are good where exterior polished concrete is specified or the client requests a low-sheen alternative.
400 grit—This is where the floor starts getting glossed. It should have no visible imperfections and a smooth, consistent sheen across the surface. This finish is a good warehouse option and will look the same longer than a high sheen due to the amount of sheen maintained from regular wear and foot traffic.
800 grit—Floors with this finish should be glossy and have good reflectivity across the surface. Many retail stores and warehouses are a good fit for this grit as they look clean and have high reflectivity in low-light situations. Owners will need a maintenance plane at this sheen and above to achieve longevity and performance from the high gloss.
1500 and 3000 grit – These floors are high in reflectivity and clarity and are typically used in retail and office projects. A high gloss and ease of cleaning make this choice ideal for high-traffic situations. Owners will need a plan to maintain the finish, or you may see traffic patterns in busy areas.
There are so many benefits to using polished concrete for commercial building projects. Here's a closer look at why commercial concrete can make great flooring:
It's attractive. The aesthetics of polished concrete enhance any space, whether commercial or residential. Polished concrete lends a simple, clean, modern appeal to your floors.
It brightens a room. If you've paid attention to the look of polished concrete floors, you've undoubtedly noticed how shiny and bright they appear. The shiny surface looks elegant and well-kept, but it also reflects light, naturally brightening the space and reducing the need for extra electric lighting.
It's durable. Glossy, polished commercial concrete is strong and resistant to great pressure. It can withstand even the harshest conditions, such as forklifts and other heavy equipment running across it daily, without losing its shine.
It's long-lasting. One of the most exciting traits of polished concrete is its ability to maintain its beautiful shine for years to come. Polished concrete floors can endure many footsteps and hold up against harsh conditions while retaining their gorgeous look without the need for waxing or other treatments. So, polished concrete is ideal for high-traffic industrial sites, retail buildings, and office spaces.
It's versatile. Polished commercial concrete can be customized in many ways. Concrete installers can add color with dyes and pigments. The concrete can also be made to mimic an elegant Terrazzo floor. The possibilities are wide-ranging and can suit many tastes.
It's easy to care for. Once the installation is complete, a properly created polished concrete floor is finished for a lifetime. There's no need to regularly touch up the shine with waxes, sealants, or other treatments. Sweep and wash the floor, and you're done.
It's budget-friendly. Because polished concrete floors don't require the maintenance investments of other forms of flooring, such as vinyl and wood, property owners who invest in polished concrete can save on long-term maintenance costs.
It's environmentally friendly. Most flooring materials (wood, tile, carpet) in existing properties are installed over a concrete subfloor. This subfloor can be used to create a polished concrete floor with the addition of a protective coating. This allows for convenient, eco-friendly use of existing concrete floors in remodeling projects rather than manufacturing and installing new concrete.
It's slip-resistant. Despite its shiny appearance, polished concrete is smooth when dry. When treated with a slip-resistant coating, it will resist slipping functionally as polished marble or granite.
At Floor Doctor, we specialize in installing polished concrete floors and are known as one of Waco, Texas's most reputable concrete flooring contractors. Feel free to call us or arrange a site visit with one of our flooring specialists to get a precise quotation for your concrete flooring project.
