Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Appreciating Florida Polished Concrete Floors

By Gregory Wilson


Do you think concrete floors belong in the garage or the basement? Well, not anymore. Picture your beautiful granite countertop carefully expanded and fitted to cover the floor of your kitchen, dining nook, foyer, sunporch, or even living room. The online photo galleries of Florida polished concrete floors will make your mouth water.

The concrete used is the real thing brought up to an art form. New technology has brought this building material into the twenty-first century. Color is mixed in to make it uniform throughout and reduce the effect of chipping or scratching. Stamping patterns in it is hot right now; you can make it look like brick, flagstone, or an oriental rug if you like. However, stamped floors need to be waxed. Polished ones never need waxing.

No need to wax a polished surface. First the floor is ground to leave it smooth and then polished to a high gloss. Even older flooring can be ground and polished, although it's easier to work with newly poured material. Go online to see the choices you have for this highly durable flooring which is breathtakingly attractive.

To understand the process, watch the videos that show every step from beginning to end. There are many contractors who specialize in making gorgeous, impressive floors for Florida homes flooded with light from wide windows which showcase the interior. There are also DIY instructions, lists of equipment needed (grinders, edgers, polishers, sealing compounds, etc.), and how-to videos.

People have used concrete for the floors of entrance ways, kitchens, and enclosed porches for years, especially at the beach. The smoothed surface is easy on bare feet, cool on hot days, and unaffected by sand that gets tracked in. Spills wipe right up, and the flooring can be painted, sealed, or coated. Mats or rugs can be used for cushioning where needed, like in front of the stove or the sink.

Kitchens, entryways, and mud (sand) rooms often get wet. Tiles and linoleum have joints that can trap dirt and encourage the growth of micro-organisms. If the flooring lifts at all, moisture can seep underneath. The more durable, poured surface doesn't have the same problem of mold and bacteria.

The more beautiful high-gloss surfaces will not remain so indefinitely without proper maintenance. This is true for any flooring, whether wood, tile, or stone. A good contractor will protect the cement with stain-protectors and density-improving additives. However, like a granite countertop, the surface can be marred by abrasive dirt, acidic spills, and sharp objects. Care should be taken to sweep and mop often, wipe up food spills or brightly-colored juices quickly, and move furniture with care.

Easy to care for, a long service life, and absolutely glorious to look at, these floors are the trend today. The online photos will inspire you and show you how beautiful polished concrete can be.




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