Concrete Contractor - Maryland

concrete near me, concrete polishing Alexandria, VA Concrete floors, concrete grinding contractors Alexandria, VA, benefits of matte concrete finish, concrete floor polishing, concrete restoration Fairfax, VA

Concrete Grinding Professionals

The merits of working with concrete flooring materials in residential, commercial, and industrial spaces are nearly limitless—from durability and longevity to ease of maintenance and customizability. If you make the exciting decision to install concrete flooring in your home or business, at some point you will have to look for concrete floor grinding contractors “near me” to help you finish, shine, and seal your floors for maximum light reflectivity and hygiene. However, grinding concrete floors is not an optional step—and the degree to which you sand down your floor’s surface can impact your concrete in many ways. But what is concrete floor grinding, and why do it? This article will address the basics about properly finishing concrete, so you can find concrete floor grinding contractors “near me” with confidence!

Concrete Floor Grinding, What is it?

You may have seen matte, soft-looking concrete floors in the past—but even these less rigorously polished floors still undergo an extensive grinding process before they are considered finished. But how do you grind concrete anyway?

Professional concrete floor grinding contractors have special equipment for this job—giant sanders made with special diamond abrasive bits that swirl in motion over the surface of the concrete. These come in a variety of coarseness and, typically, a contractor will work gradually from coarser to finer diamond bits, based on the contract and desires of the homeowner. These sanders can be pushed in a forward fashion much like a lawnmower or ridden, and they tend to be electrically powered—though some use propane or gasoline as well.

The degree to which a homeowner chooses to grind their concrete floors—whether coarse or fine—can have a dramatic effect on the finished look, allowing aesthetics ranging from a soft, dull matte finish to a highly-reflective, glass-like surface.

The benefits of concrete grinding do not stop at offering different aesthetic options, however. Regardless of the level of sheen or brightness you want your concrete floors to reflect, there are considerable practical benefits to applying a thorough grinding process to finish your concrete floors. Some of the primary reasons to fully grind and finish your concrete include:

Increased material durability: The more thoroughly you are able to grind and hone your concrete floors down to fine grit, the more resistant they will be to future damages, including discoloration, chips, or stains. This also reduces the need for constant refinishing of the floors through repeatedly applying chemicals, waxes, or sealants.
Removes rough edges and imperfections: If you are looking for a smooth and seamless surface, it’s imperative to take your time during the finishing stages of
Lowers maintenance demands:
An affordable way to influence the finished aesthetic

Polished Concrete and Grind and Sealed, What is the Difference

Polished concrete floors are becoming increasingly popular, both in business and residential settings. Exposed concrete floors are a great choice for a wide variety of commercial, industrial, residential, retail, restaurant, brewery, art gallery, and other places due to their aesthetic appeal, longevity, affordability, and eco-friendliness. Your refinished exposed concrete might have a surface anywhere from nearly matte to a mirrorlike gloss.

Flooring providers may offer both polished concrete and sealed concrete if you’re interested in exposed concrete flooring for your commercial or residential space. Customers are often confused about whether the type of concrete is ideal for their needs, polished or sealed, and what the differences are between the two. Flooring options like polished concrete and grind and sealed concrete might seem nearly identical. There is a lot of confusion among buyers between polished concrete and grind/sealed concrete floors because of their superficial similarities. This could cause problems when trying to get estimates or information for your project.

The appearance of flooring made of polished concrete or concrete that has been sealed is nearly identical. It is possible that even experienced professionals, such as contractors, will initially confuse the two methods. There are other methods for achieving the desired sheen or gloss. Polished concrete floors require more time and effort than grind-and-seal ones because of the additional steps involved in the process.

Here’s a quick rundown of the key differences between the two methods: Polishing the surface of an already-existing concrete slab using industrial diamonds mounted on engineered floor grinders is the mechanical process known as concrete polishing. The concrete is honed and polished using diamond abrasives of increasingly finer grits until the appropriate sheen is achieved (either level 1-4; matte to high gloss). However, sealed concrete gets its shine from a coat of sealer applied to the surface. Less grinding, honing, and polishing stages are required, making the process easier. Polished concrete, especially in high-traffic areas, has a far longer lifespan and greater durability than other flooring options. If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider sealed concrete as an alternative to polished concrete.