Difference Between Polished Concrete Vs Grind And Sealed Concrete?
What’s The Difference Between Polished Concrete And Grind And Sealed Concrete?
There are several key differences between polished concrete and grind and sealed concrete. The most significant difference is in the process. For polished concrete, the concrete is polished using finer grits of diamond abrasives until the floor reaches the desired level of shine (level 1-4).
However, with sealed concrete, the finish is achieved from a high-performance sealer. This sealer is applied to the concrete surface and then allowed to cure. Once cured, the sealer provides a durable and protective barrier against staining and wear.
The mechanical technique of polishing the surface of an existing concrete slab utilizing designed floor grinders loaded with industrial diamonds is known as concrete polishing.
During this procedure, the concrete is honed and polished with increasingly finer grits of diamond abrasives until the appropriate level of shine is achieved (either level 1-4; matte to high gloss).
The gloss on sealed concrete, on the other hand, is obtained by the use of a topical sealer. The procedure is simpler, with fewer grinding, honing, and polishing processes.
In terms of durability and advantages, polished concrete has a far longer lifespan and is much more durable, particularly in high-traffic areas.
We usually suggest sealed concrete as a less expensive option than polished concrete.
Does Polishing Concrete Create Dust?
There are two ways for polishing concrete floors: dry and wet. Dry polishing has recently become fashionable. Dry polishing is faster, more convenient, and does not produce a slurry of a mess like wet polishing.
The disadvantage is that dry polishing generates a lot of dust. Dust control equipment is necessary with all the dust to prevent dust from becoming airborne.
The most essential reasons for dust collecting systems are air quality and safety, but it is also vital to keep dust off the floor so that the scratch pattern can be seen when grinding.
Typically, concrete polishing grinders do not include an integrated dust-collecting system.
This indicates that a separate unit will be required. Some manufacturers produce dust extractors that are designed to work with certain machinery. However, if that is not the case, you will be on your own to discover one that works for you.
Does Polishing Concrete Make A Mess?
Mechanical, dry-grind concrete polishing is a relatively clean method. Grinding produces a slurry and can be dirty, but with the dry-grind process, a vacuum system is utilized in combination with the grinder to capture 98% of the airborne particles. The remaining dust is simply cleaned up and placed in plastic bags.
Polishing concrete can create a bit of a mess, but it’s nothing that a little planning can’t handle.
First, you’ll want to make sure that the area you’re working in is well-ventilated. Second, you’ll want to lay down some drop cloths or other protective material to catch any debris that may be created during the polishing process.
Finally, you’ll want a vacuum on hand to clean up any dust. Polishing concrete can be a relatively clean and mess-free process with a little preparation.
How Long Should You Wait Before Polishing Concrete?
How long you should wait before polishing concrete depends on a few factors. The main considerations are the type of concrete, the desired finish, and the conditions the concrete will be exposed to.
For instance, if you are using a high-strength concrete, you will need to wait longer before polishing it than you would for lower-strength concrete.
The desired finish is also a factor, as a more polished finish will require more time than a less polished finish. Finally, the conditions to which the concrete will be exposed will also affect the time you need to wait before polishing it.
If the concrete will be exposed to high temperatures or humidity, you will need to wait longer before polishing it than if the conditions are more moderate.
The system you are using will also affect the time you need to wait before polishing concrete.
Allow at least 10 days for the concrete to cure before polishing. Concrete that is younger than that is still too soft to polish properly, and concrete that is older than a month is more difficult to polish and requires more pads.
How Much Concrete Is Removed When Polishing?
. On average, these tools will remove around 1/16 of an inch of concrete. This means that if you need to remove a significant amount of material, you will need to make multiple passes with the grinder.
The amount of material that can be removed with a concrete grinder will vary depending on the type of grinder being used, the abrasive wheel being used, the strength of the concrete, and the amount of pressure being applied.
A concrete floor grinder may technically remove as much concrete as you like. The important concern is how soon that happens.
Another factor to consider is how much time you will take off at a time. A concrete grinder shears off layers of concrete using diamonds or tungsten.
Most individuals use a concrete grinder to grind out glues and flaws or to remove small portions of concrete. You may anticipate taking off around 1/16. Using conventional grinding wheels and labour.
Remember that the more you work, the more the pads will wear. If you want to grind hard, you might need a second pair of grinding pads.
Concrete grinding is frequently thought of as a finishing or refinishing technique. Contractors may propose removing the concrete and re-pouring it if there is too much to remove.
