polished concrete flooring
- Thread starter Shanky
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If you want a mirror like finish to your floor you have to work hard at it.
It is many years since I did this but I remember it well. You don't say how large the area is you are going to work with. Basically once you've layed your concrete/screed you have to keep floating it with a plasterer's float. You need to go over it every 20 - 30 minutes until it's almost set.
The process is fairly simple. When you tamp the concrete down, water and cement comes to the surface. Once you start to float it more cement comes to the top and fills in all the little gaps left in the aggregate. As the mix begins to set you can keep bringing more moisture up by repeatedly floating until the surface is glass like. Depends on how good you are at it, how patient you are and how good your mix is. If there is too little water it will set too quickly.
Small areas - say the size of a kitchen are just about OK by hand but with anything much larger and you won't be able to keep up with the concrete drying. Of course you can get round this by getting some additional help.
The other point is that the surface must be bump free and level before you start. Once you start floating you won't be able to get rid of ridges and you'll end up with a concave/convex mirror finish!!
Otherwise float it a few times grind it and varnish - not nearly so satisfying but probably a lot easier!
Good luck.
It is many years since I did this but I remember it well. You don't say how large the area is you are going to work with. Basically once you've layed your concrete/screed you have to keep floating it with a plasterer's float. You need to go over it every 20 - 30 minutes until it's almost set.
The process is fairly simple. When you tamp the concrete down, water and cement comes to the surface. Once you start to float it more cement comes to the top and fills in all the little gaps left in the aggregate. As the mix begins to set you can keep bringing more moisture up by repeatedly floating until the surface is glass like. Depends on how good you are at it, how patient you are and how good your mix is. If there is too little water it will set too quickly.
Small areas - say the size of a kitchen are just about OK by hand but with anything much larger and you won't be able to keep up with the concrete drying. Of course you can get round this by getting some additional help.
The other point is that the surface must be bump free and level before you start. Once you start floating you won't be able to get rid of ridges and you'll end up with a concave/convex mirror finish!!
Otherwise float it a few times grind it and varnish - not nearly so satisfying but probably a lot easier!
Good luck.
Thanks so much for that advice. I had guessed it would be labour intensive and can see why my builder said he didn't know what to do. I think I shall try it myself! The floor area is a small kitchen and very small front porch. I'll try the porch first.
Just to let you know that I'm not a complete cowboy (yee haa) - I used to do this for a living many moons ago. I worked with a company that specialised in concrete finishing. We used to come along and get the required surface after somebody else had laid it - with varying degrees of success - I hasten to add!
A couple of tips - and I've probably forgotten some of them - if you're laying a screed make sure the bed is free of dust and put some diluted unibond (PVA) down before laying the mix in. This will help it to bond to the existing surface.
When you're doing the floating the objective is bring the cement and water up to the surface and then use the edge of the float to form a smooth finish. If any areas are a bit dry or thin then attempt to use some of the "fat" from another area. You don't want your mix too wet either, too much water and it'll take forever to finish off (I once spent 23 hours waiting for some concrete to get to an acceptable condition!) Depending how good you are you can get a really smooth finish and by the time you're getting to the end you should have a gloss finish. This will remain when the concrete dries out.
You might need to think about an expansion joint somewhere as floors have a tendency to crack where you least want them to.
Finally, when you've got the finish you want (when you can no longer get any moisture up with a float) place some polythene over the area you've done and leave it for a couple of days. This will let the concrete dry out more slowly, reduce the risk of cracking and should make it stronger.
Even if you don't end up with a mirror like finish it will certainly be smooth to the touch. I should imagine that most builders won't do this as it is pretty time consuming and a lot of effort for little gain - satisfying though.
A couple of tips - and I've probably forgotten some of them - if you're laying a screed make sure the bed is free of dust and put some diluted unibond (PVA) down before laying the mix in. This will help it to bond to the existing surface.
When you're doing the floating the objective is bring the cement and water up to the surface and then use the edge of the float to form a smooth finish. If any areas are a bit dry or thin then attempt to use some of the "fat" from another area. You don't want your mix too wet either, too much water and it'll take forever to finish off (I once spent 23 hours waiting for some concrete to get to an acceptable condition!) Depending how good you are you can get a really smooth finish and by the time you're getting to the end you should have a gloss finish. This will remain when the concrete dries out.
You might need to think about an expansion joint somewhere as floors have a tendency to crack where you least want them to.
Finally, when you've got the finish you want (when you can no longer get any moisture up with a float) place some polythene over the area you've done and leave it for a couple of days. This will let the concrete dry out more slowly, reduce the risk of cracking and should make it stronger.
Even if you don't end up with a mirror like finish it will certainly be smooth to the touch. I should imagine that most builders won't do this as it is pretty time consuming and a lot of effort for little gain - satisfying though.
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Have you completed your project or are you still looking for a price? We specialise in polished concrete. The amazing effect you can get using the correct techniques, does not need to be labour intensive. It is an exciting alternative to expensive limestone, marble, etc which we believe is set to become the future of flooring. We can also incorporate underfloor heating if this is of interest to you we will be happy to give you a price.
B
breezer
i should think he has finished it and the people moved in, he was doing it 4 months ago, and it has been his only post
Where are you, I am looking for someone who can do polished concrete floors. I believe you can use this externally as well as internally. However, does any one know how I could 'float' a concrete floor over a timber floor. I realise I would need to minimise movement etc. BUT is it possible? The area I want to do is a new kitchen/living area of around 30sq mt. (currently timber), onto an external balcony of around 25sq mt. (The balcony is planned as concrete finish, anyway.).Any suggestions are welcome!
- Joined
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Having already spoken to you regarding this project I am glad that we are able to help you.
As a company we are currently inundated with enquiries from distressed parties who have attempted to polish concrete with poor results. It is essential that for any polished concrete projects you seek expert advise.
As a company we are currently inundated with enquiries from distressed parties who have attempted to polish concrete with poor results. It is essential that for any polished concrete projects you seek expert advise.
2
2scoops0406
iasku, what comes round, goes round. sometimes just a matter of waiting 
As you will all see, I managed to find QUEST of Warrington, who seem to do just what I want. Its early days but their description fits all the sensisble methods (for larger areas) and I'm hoping to progress this.
Cos of all the failed attempts I suggested Quest found a way of ensuring they were READILY available on the web cos I'm sure this is a growth area here in UK. I was using the WEB from day one (3/4 weeks) trying all the search engines and Quest only came up the once, despite same searches repeated..still better late than never, here's hoping its not going to break the bank and prove out of the question. I know in the states its adopted for aesthetics and economy...Great Combination.
Thank everyone...
Cos of all the failed attempts I suggested Quest found a way of ensuring they were READILY available on the web cos I'm sure this is a growth area here in UK. I was using the WEB from day one (3/4 weeks) trying all the search engines and Quest only came up the once, despite same searches repeated..still better late than never, here's hoping its not going to break the bank and prove out of the question. I know in the states its adopted for aesthetics and economy...Great Combination.
Thank everyone...
Andrew Hazlehurst said:
Hi Andrew,
Searching for a company to polish my concrete floors, 90m2, with underfloor heating. Can you help with the machinery? MY e mail has been removed Please send details and e mail and we can discuss. This forum has trouble accepting this address.
Look forward to hearing from you, Craig Andrews
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