Concrete Polishing
The Concrete Processing Technical Institute for the further education and accreditation of contractors, and promotion of Mechanically Processed Ground, Honed and Polished Concrete.
Concrete Processing Options
Concrete processing options are:
Surface cut, clarity of reflection level and decorative enhancements.
Visual facets of polished concrete:
There are three visual facets of polished concrete — the degree to which the surface is cut, the level of “clarity of reflection” of the cut surface and decorative enhancements.
Contractors can cut the surface to any one of a number of degrees, including surface cream, fine aggregate, medium aggregate or large aggregate. These layers are a key element when polishing concrete. The goal is to refine to and remain within the desired layer and make it as consistent as possible throughout. These layers often can vary in thickness through the surface of the slab.
Once the concrete has been ground to the desired layer, it needs to be refined to the desired level of reflection. Honed concrete typically stops at 200 or 400 grit resin; a semi-polished surface typically stops at 400 or 800 grit resin; and a highly polished surface typically stops at 1,500 or 3,000 grit resin.
Additional decorative enhancements may also be included in the process, including coloring with integral, acid stained, and water or solvent based stains and dyes; saw cut patterns; and engraving.