Easy To Install, Easier On The Environment, Easiest To Maintain
The quick an easy way to install a beautiful polished concrete with our beautifully custom designed polished concrete veneers.
Premium Polished Concrete Floors Melbourne
At Concrete FX, we specialize in offering polished concrete solutions to impart a mirror-like smooth finish to your property. Suitable for any interior scheme, our concrete polishing in Melbourne is sure to enhance the look and value of your property. As experienced concrete polishers, we have years of experience and well-equipped to offer an outcome to your complete satisfaction.This has enabled us to become one of the primary proprietors for high quality concrete floors in Melbourne. If you are looking for ideas to create visually stunning floors, get in touch with us. We will be happy to suggest the best options for your home, to give you the best concrete floors in Melbourne, you can find. We can provide customers with the highest quality polished concrete work in Melbourne. Whether you want to transform your floors and benchtops or design custom concrete seating, we have you covered. You can be assured that when you get your concrete floors in Melbourne from us, you are getting premium quality concrete that is worked on by some of the top experts in Victoria. Our specialists continually strive for perfection, ensuring that you get exactly what you’re looking for. In addition, we pride ourselves on making our cost as low as possible, allowing more people to enjoy and benefit from this excellent ecotype. This means that you can get concrete floors in Melbourne at highly affordable rates without having to burn a hole in your wallet. For all your concrete polishing needs in Melbourne, we are the experts you can trust. So, reach out to Concrete FX today and get your high quality concrete floors in Melbourne from the best available concrete polishers. Our range includes:
- Polished Concrete & Grind and Seals
- Polished Concrete Veneer (PCV) as seen on The Block Glasshouse
- Various other concrete coatings and resurfacing techniques
Our TOP IT range includes:
- Polished Concrete Benchtops
- Polished Concrete Seating
- Polished Concrete Furniture
Premium Polished Concrete Flooring in Melbourne
When it comes to polished concrete flooring in Melbourne, you should only opt for an experienced polished concrete floor contractor to get the job done effectively. At Concrete FX, we assure you that the polished concrete floors in Melbourne will be done in the most effective and efficient manner possible. We specialise in offering the best in polished flooring solutions that give you a mirror-like smooth finish to your floor. This is suitable for an interior scheme, and this concrete flooring in Melbourne will enhance your look and value for your floor.
Looking for Residential Polished Concrete Floors?
Residential polished concrete floors have taken the flooring market by storm in recent times. It has become an elegant and affordable option in the domestic market and maintains its prevalence in the commercial sector for its hardwearing properties. It can improve indoor insulation throughout the year by retaining warm air during winter and reducing heat in the summer.
Seeking Commercial Polished Concrete Floors?
Commercial polished concrete floors are easy to install and maintain for Melbourne offices. We use high-quality densifiers, diamond tools and penetrating sealers to polish the concrete. With our knowledge and expertise, we advise you on the best options for your budget, look and needs. We have the perfect solutions for both home and commercial spaces.
What Is Polished Concrete Flooring?
Polished concrete floors are created when the concrete is exposed to ground specifically, and it is grouted in such a way that it fills surface imperfections and minor cracks. This treatment makes the surface harden and then polishes it with the help of diamond tools. This makes it finer and polishes the surface of the concrete. A sealer is adopted in the last stages to enhance the floor and ensure that it is stain resistant for a longer duration.
Polished Concrete Flooring Vs Other Floorings
There are certain advantages that polished concrete flooring has over other systems, which are:
- No time-consuming cure that prolongs the build time.
- Topical sealer is not used to ensure that the floor does not become dull.
- There are no chances of roller marks, ripples, dust remaining a part of the surface.
- It is resistant to scratches as concrete is hardened.
- There are no issues of peeling, bubbling and discolouration that occur in the coating system.
- Maintenance of polished concrete in the long term costs less and save time as compared to coating systems.
- Benefits Of Polished Concrete Floors
There are numerous advantages for polished concrete floors:
- Elegant – Polished concrete has become an affordable and elegant option in the domestic market as well as in the commercial sector due to its hardwearing properties. ‘The Block’ and ‘House Rules’ participants found it to be a simple and amazing solution.
- Affordable – It is much more affordable to source and install polished concrete than other flooring solutions. It can help in reducing your energy expenses and minimises your carbon footprint.
- Easy Maintenance – Polished concrete floors in Melbourne are easy to clean and maintain as compared to other types of flooring that need minimal effort to clear away spillages. Additionally, polished concrete offers excellent durability that allows it to stand the test of time.
- Long-Lasting and Safe – Polished concrete floors have unmatched longevity that minimises the need to repair and replace your flooring. It boasts of safer surfaces, minimises the chances of accidents and injuries from occurring.
- Sustainable and Eco-Friendly – It is an eco-friendly solution as it is sourced using sustainable means.
- Polished Concrete Floor Systems
There are three main systems that are generally referred to as polished concrete. This includes polished concrete, grind and seal or clear coating systems and the burnished acrylic system.
Exposure Options
The exposure level is the aggregate of a concrete mix that you see once the grinding is complete. The concrete mix contains aggregate as a component. This contains the distribution, size, density and colour of the stones. The polished concrete is made in this manner unless specially ordered, poured and installed. The following are the types of exposure
- Zero Exposure – The zero exposure only aims to remove the upper part of the concrete for it to accept the products or chemicals that coats or polishes it. This can be achieved when the concrete is installed millimetre perfect.
- Partial Exposure – This exposure refers to only grinding a part off the surface from the concrete to guarantee that the concrete can be used for grouting flat and achieves a consistent gloss level when polished. The zero exposure contains a hard exposure level that successfully creates a consistent result with an aggregate distribution that can vary based on the installation and mix. This means that the exposure level that we remove is
2 – 3 mm off the concrete to ensure that it is suitable and flat for polishing. - Full Exposure – This includes grinding some part of the concrete that will allow you to get full exposure of the stones. This experience shows that removing 5mm off the concrete achieves consistency and exposure based on the size of minor surface variations followed by an aggregate check.
Finishing Levels
You need to select the finishing levels besides selecting the exposure level and the type of system that suits you. Finishing levels are based on the total work required to make the flooring. Basically, the higher the finished level, the more products, tools and stages are required to get a better finish. Some of the types of finishing levels include:
- Basic polished concrete – This option is the entry-level finishing option that you can choose. This is perfect where the seamless characteristics, non-dusting and sealing of polished concrete are important with an amazing high gloss finish. Basic polished concrete has some amount of gloss and is known as satin and not high gloss. This is because there are more visible surface imperfections in it.
- Standard polished concrete finish – It has one of the highest gloss levels and characteristics. This comes with polished concrete, seal or grind systems. Since not much takes place at the premium finish, and this is why the standard finish has more dominant surface imperfections that can be seen. This allows those that are conscious about budgets to enjoy a higher quality product overall.
- Premium polished concrete finish – This is the top of the range and high-end floor finish. The concrete is ground and polished to the finest level possible, and this ensures that the least amount of surface imperfections and highest possible gloss is achieved. This option is best used for high-quality homes, showrooms and retail environments where light reflectivity and quality is crucial.
If you are interested in our work and in need of advice about installing polished concrete floors in Melbourne, then call us at 03 9798 4481 today and ask for a free quote.
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Installing Polished Concrete Solutions for Some of Australia’s Most Popular TV Shows
We’ve been involved in some of Australia’s most popular reality television shows. Have you been impressed by the polished concrete benchtops created for construction projects on ‘THE BLOCK’? Have you found yourself considering a polished concrete after seeing one installed as part of the renovation projects shown on ‘HOUSE RULES’? Concrete FX has been chosen because of our unparalleled workmanship and attention to detail. If our domestic and commercial flooring solutions are good enough for these shows, you can rest assured they’re good enough for your home or business!
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Contact us today and let Concrete Fx™ introduce you to the beauty of Polished Concrete.
Customer Satisfaction is Our Goal!
Expert Advice
Whether your application is for domestic or commercial use, you can be assured you will receive sound advice and recommendations, using the latest technology and superior resources.
Client-Centered Service
Our extensive background in the polished concrete industry, combines experience, education, and artistic expertise to create the perfect effects and appearance that our customers desire.
Tailored Approach
Regardless of the size or scope of your project, you can be confident your end result will be one of unparalleled distinction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
There are a wide variety of choices for our clients when it comes to polished concrete in their property. The most preferred amongst clients is the premium level polished concrete finish that gives a very chic, high gloss surface without flaws and is the best for indoor environments. Other finish options include the standard level polished concrete finish that is budget-friendly and work on existing slabs for best results and have somewhat more surface flaws. Then there is the basic level polished concrete finish, where although surface imperfections are visible, but the polishing technique ensures a satin shine and is great for both indoor and outdoor environments.
Any concrete floor, which is in prime condition, can be polished whether it is new or old. However, any existing floor requires to be primed before polishing. Not only the dirt and grime are required to be removed from the surface, but also small blemishes need to be corrected and pores need to be sealed. Usually, a densifier is added to the concrete prior to polishing to make the surface less porous to moisture and stains and reduce future damages.
- Surface preparation: This step is for both old and new surfaces where cracks, stains, blemishes, uneven spots, etc. are removed by grinding using grits 30, 70 or 120, followed by smoothening with 0, 100 or 200 grits of resin pads.
- Applying fillers and densifiers: In the second step, a dye can be applied to add colour to the concrete as also any cracks or pores are filled up with appropriate sealants. A concrete densifier is added to further protect the surface from moisture penetration or staining.
- Honing: Now the surface is polished or honed with a resin of 400 grit to start giving shine and brightness.
- Final polishing: A highly glossy floor is achieved in the fourth step where the concrete is further polished with 800, 1500 and finally 3000 grits resin.
- Protection: The polished concrete surface is then cleaned and buffed for extra shine using a burnishing pad and then coated with stain-guard products for durability
The benefits of polished concrete floors are many:
- Aesthetic: Polished concrete floors are not only sturdy but are also stylish. Hence, it is a smart choice of flooring for both residential and commercial settings.
- Durable and safe: Due to a robust process, polished concrete floors are heavy-duty and resistant to damages. Hence, they are anti-slip and safe.
- Easy maintenance: Due to high resistance to stains and moisture, it is easier to maintain and clean polished floors. No waxing is required in the long run to improve shine.
- Cost-effective: Due to the high sheen of a polished floor, the natural lighting is enhanced. This means reduced dependency on electrical power at all times and hence, lesser power bills.
- Eco-friendly: Polished floors are made using ethically sourced sustainable materials and hence, they reduce the carbon footprint.
Due to a robust polishing process, concrete polished floors are highly resistant to damages and have high performance which is why most people prefer them for their homes or offices. The lifespan of a polished concrete floor fundamentally depends on two factors- correct procedure of installation with appropriate tools by professionals and regular maintenance after installation. These two factors not only ensure that polished concrete floor can last more than twenty years but also ensure that they preserve their aesthetic value.
Mechanically Polished Concrete (MPC) is typically used for indoor flooring while Grind and Seal (G&S) are suitable for both indoor and outdoor surfaces. In MPC, the concrete in itself is used for the polishing process and no topcoat is used; hence, if maintained well, an MPC floor will be most durable. G&S is more cost-effective and beneficial in that a top coat is applied to the concrete which makes it anti-slip and therefore, suitable for indoor and outdoor flooring. However, with G&S, the topcoat requires to be replenished periodically since it erodes with time.
It is possible to easily change the color of a polished concrete if water-based or non-reactive stains or dyes are used but with reactive or acid stains, the process is much more complicated. Since water-based dyes do not bond chemically with the concrete, it is easy to achieve a wide range of colors and hues with different extents of opacity. But in the case of acid stains, metallic salts in them chemically bind with the concrete and so, either additional colors can be added to the existing concrete to achieve a new tone or another layer of concrete can be added to create new shades of color.
Although sealants are considered essential for providing robustness to polished floors, conventional floor polishing is not dependent solely on sealing to give a high-gloss finish. The glossiness of a polished concrete floor is calibrated by measuring the amount of light it reflects and hence, light reflected from sealants covering cracks and flaws might not provide a correct picture of the actual sheen of the concrete floor. When the concrete is subject to right amounts of grinding and abrasions with correct grits, the material by itself is prone to produce shine and brightness, hence sealants are not always necessary.
For regions with high rainfall or snow, the most trusted flooring solution is a concrete polished floor. Polished floors are extremely sturdy and resistant to spillage. Through the Grind and Seal (G&S) process, a concrete floor is sealed with a safe coating on top prior to polishing. This process ensures that the surface becomes impregnable to moisture and liquids. Hence, a polished concrete floor is not only waterproof but also extremely glossy with high resistance to injuries. Because it is waterproof, it can also be cleaned easily with a wet mop.
The ability to absorb stains and oils depends on the fact whether a concrete floor has been properly densified and sealed. The polishing of the floor by itself does not remove stain. It is imperative that the surface is cleaned immediately after oil spillage. Also, before the process of grinding and polishing, the concrete surface is required to be degreased and cleaned thoroughly to remove any oil marks. This ensures that visible stains are not left behind, and the polishing can commence smoothly
The benefits of polished concrete are many:
- Polished concrete is very tough and resistant to damages. It can endure high foot traffic and heavy pressure without any scratching or chipping.
- Due to its high durability, polished concrete has a lifespan of 20 years or more. Moreover, it requires little to no maintenance.
- Its an affordable way to beautify your floor and can be easily cleaned by just sweeping and wet mopping.
- It does not involve the use of any dangerous chemicals. Hence, it is eco-friendly and safe for use.
Due to great thermal properties, polished concrete is ideal for a radiant floor heating system
Although the floor of choice for many residential and commercial set-ups, mainly because of its durability and resilience, a polished concrete floor is prone to damages due to heavy impact or hefty things dragged across it. Concrete floors are naturally subject to spalling over time. For minor cracks or fissures, filling the joints or caulking is enough to repair the concrete. But for larger damages, troweled mortar or rigid joint fillers becomes essential to repair them. After the filling of the cracks or joints, the polished floor can be re-polished and even re-stained as required.
One of the best advantages of polished concrete floors apart from its durability is that it is very easy to maintain. The little maintenance it requires is mainly to retain the high shine and brightness of the surface. Polished concrete floors require no waxing and they can be easily cleaned by sweeping to remove dirt and grime as well as wet mopping with water. It is recommended to use appropriate floor cleaners for wet mopping as well as soft floor cleaning pads in order to maintain the quality and shine. Although the cleaning routine depends on how much foot traffic the polished floor endures, regular cleaning is essential to maintain its sturdiness and gloss. It is also recommended to wipe of stains, oils and other spillages immediately.
The skidding or slipping properties of a polished concrete surface depends on the method used for the polishing. Mechanically Polished Surface (MPS) is inherently anti-slip, but like any other hard surfaces, it becomes slippery when wet. Therefore, for wet areas and outdoor commercial settings, it is recommended to use the Grind and Seal (G&S) or the Honed method of polishing. The Honed finish is intrinsically anti-slip while the G&S method uses an anti-slip agent added to the sealant during polishing. The amount of anti-slip can be tailored depending on the requirement. Sometimes epoxy coatings can reduce the ‘slip’ factor of a polished concrete surface.
Polished concrete is fast becoming the flooring of choice for many residential as well as commercial settings. A polished concrete floor is very strong and can endure high pressure and heavy foot traffic. It is resilient and quite immune to easy damages. It does not stain easily and requires low maintenance. Because of its sturdiness, cracking or chipping is a near impossibility and hence, it has a long lifespan. Because of a robust polishing method, a concrete polished floor is highly resistant to scratching.
Due to their hardness, concrete floors have a low shock absorbing power hence, long-term usage can lead to mild to severe health issues. Standing, running or jumping on concrete floor can lead to pain in the feet, ankles and knees which in turn affects muscles of the back and the hip and can lead to long-lasting damages. Repeated strain on the legs, calves and the hip muscles can cause degeneration of the knee and hip joints leading to permanent painful conditions like arthritis. Accidental falling on a concrete floor can lead to fractures. Muscle soreness and mild back pain are less severe impacts of concrete floors. Sometimes skin rashes and irritations may develop due to repeated exposure to cement and other materials in the concrete.
Of all the kinds of flooring that are commonly used, a polished concrete floor is the easiest to maintain and clean. In fact, it is a low-cost maintenance option and hence, eliminates the expenses of replacement in the long run. Due to its durability and resilience, concrete floors can take heavy impacts and are resistant to easy damage. For cleaning, it simply requires sweeping to remove surface dirt and grime and wet mopping with water or appropriate floor cleaners to retain its shine and lustre. It does not stain easily and hence, just wiping off any spillage like oil or colored liquid is enough to clean it.
The cost of setting up a polished concrete floor depends on the method used for polishing. Different methods impart different properties to the concrete like hardiness, low permeability, anti-slip, damage proofing, etc. The lowest price for a typical polished concrete floor is under $25 per square meter. But the ballpark figure for a Grind and Seal finish is around $50 per square meter. A Honed finish costs more which is approximately $75 per square meter. Mechanically Polished Floors are the most expensive with an average per square meter cost of about $100 or more.