How Long Does Polished Concrete Flooring Last?

Undoubtedly, polished concrete is one of the most aesthetically pleasing and cost-effective flooring systems.

And in recent years, its popularity has skyrocketed across Australia. You will find polished concrete flooring systems everywhere in offices, commercial retail spaces or contemporary residential settings. So, if you are considering installing polished concrete in your commercial or residential space, it is certainly a good idea.

You might be wondering how long does the polished concrete flooring last? Well, that is what we are going to discuss in this article. We have also discussed how you can lengthen the lifespan of your polished concrete floors towards the end of the article, so read it till the end.

Now, without further ado, let’s jump right in.

How Long Does Polished Concrete Flooring Last?

Polished concrete lasts substantially longer than traditional concrete flooring systems since it uses an inherently resilient material. Based on the use, most traditional concrete flooring systems start cracking, fracturing and chipping in about five years or even less.

On the other hand, a polished concrete flooring system can last more than 20 years provided it is installed by a professional and is well maintained.

Steps To Polish A Concrete Flooring System

As you might already know, traditional concrete is a porous material. Debris, dirt and moisture can all get into the surface of conventional concrete floors, causing stains, damage, cracks and tear. It would be best if you opted for repairs or replacements when that happens, which could prove quite expensive, and that is where polished concrete enters the picture.

When polished, a concrete floor can significantly transform from a porous to a non-porous surface, offering a longer lifespan. Whether you are dealing with freshly poured concrete or existing concrete floors, polishing concrete is the same.

Step 1: Preparing The Surface

If you are going to polish a concrete floor, you do need to prepare the surface ahead of time. The preparation work is usually minimal for fresh concrete. However, if you polish an existing concrete floor, the hollow areas, chips, holes, and cracks must always be repaired before polishing.

Step 2: Grinding And Honing

In the next step, the concrete needs to be ground and honed to get an even and fresh surface to polish. The final appearance you desire will ultimately determine the scope of the job.

Step 3: Concrete Hardening

Once the concrete floor has been ground and honed down per the project’s requirements, chemical hardeners must be applied to densify and reinforce the floor. It is also the part where the surface will be prepared for the final polishing.

Step 4: Final Polishing

After the hardeners in the concrete have cured, this stage is the final stage in the polishing process. Again, the amount of work needed in this stage will depend on the project’s requirements.

While polishing, concrete stains may also be added.

How To Prolong The Lifespan Of A Polished Concrete Flooring System?

In this section, we have mentioned a few tips you should follow to increase the lifespan of your concrete floors.

• Clean your floors daily with a dust mop
• Keep rainwater from accumulating and settling on your polished floor
• Make sure that you use pads under rolling chairs in the room
• Don’t forget to lift equipment, appliances or furniture while moving them across the floors
• Always use floor mats
• Consider using rugs that let vapours pass

Keep Your Polished Concrete Looking Good For Longer

With that, we have come to the end of our informational article. And we hope that it has provided you with some valuable insights into the lifespan of polished concrete flooring. So, what are you waiting for? If you need to speak to a polished concrete specialist in Sydney, reach out to our team at Top Coat Concrete today!

You must consider the following tips if you want to keep your polished floors looking beautiful for as long as possible.

On that note, it is time for us to call it a day. Until next time, take care!