Concrete Resurfacing
Concrete flooring solutions range from industrial-grade durability to high-end residential aesthetics. Depending on whether you are looking to refurbish a garage, a commercial warehouse, or a modern living space, here is a breakdown of how these processes work and what they offer.
Concrete Grinding
Grinding is the foundational step for almost all concrete finishes. It involves using heavy-duty machines equipped with diamond-segmented abrasives to “shave” the surface of the concrete.
Surface Preparation: Removes old coatings (paint, glue, or epoxy), levels uneven joints, and clears away contaminants.
Refinement: Grinding can be done to different “grit” levels. A coarse grit removes material quickly, while finer grits begin to smooth and hone the surface.
- Exposure: This process determines how much of the internal stone (aggregate) is visible—ranging from a “salt and pepper” look to full stone exposure.
Polished Concrete
True polished concrete is a mechanical process that does not rely on a topical sealer for its shine. It is prized for its longevity and “gallery” look.
The Process: After grinding, the floor is treated with a chemical densifier to harden the concrete. It is then polished with progressively finer diamond pads until the desired level of gloss is achieved.
Levels of Sheen: You can choose between Matte (satin), Semi-Gloss, or High-Gloss (mirror-like reflection).
- Benefits: It is incredibly easy to clean, hypoallergenic, and lasts decades with minimal maintenance.
Concrete Levelling (Self-Levelling Underlays)
If a slab is significantly unlevel, dipped, or damaged, grinding alone may not be enough.
The Solution: A specialized polymer-modified cement (self-levelling compound) is poured over the existing slab. It flows into low spots to create a perfectly flat, smooth surface.
- Usage: Often used as a “topping” if the original concrete is too poor to polish, or as a sub-floor preparation for tiles, timber, or epoxy.
Epoxy Coating
Epoxy is a resinous flooring system consisting of a resin and a hardener. When mixed, they create a plastic-like surface that bonds chemically to the concrete.
Standard Epoxy: A solid color coating that is highly resistant to chemicals and oils.
Flake Flooring: Decorative vinyl flakes are broadcast into the wet epoxy, providing a multi-colored, textured finish. This is the gold standard for garages and workshops because it hides dirt and provides slip resistance.
- Metallic Epoxy: Uses metallic pigments to create “lava flow” or marble-like effects for high-impact visual designs.