Epoxy Floor Systems | Portland Oregon

Epoxy Floor Systems | Portland Oregon

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Polished Concrete – Portland Garage Floor

One of the most sought after interior floors for residential and commercial is polished concrete.

This explanation from ppc imaginarium does an excellent job explaining the process. Concrete polishing can also be applied to self leveling concrete. Self leveling cement overlays have evolved during the past few years. They smooth out uneven surfaces or use as an underlayment for tile, hardwood and carpet. 

What Is Polished Concrete?

One the most intriguing aspects of concrete is its finish – it can be rough and raw or smooth and polished. Polished concrete results can differ depending on the level of polishing.

The process of polishing concrete is not dissimilar from sanding wood. Diamond-impregnated disks vary in fineness to progressively grind down the surface of the concrete. Various levels of shine and smoothness can are available.

Preparing to polish concrete requires removing existing coatings using the correct tools.  Coarse grinding blades start at 16 to 20-grit for tough surfaces.

Disks of varying grits may are used achieve the desired result. A high polish finishes uses up to a grit of 1500 or finer to achieve a glossy finish. 

For smaller areas near walls, use hand sanders with polishing pads. Like sand paper, the pads vary in fineness and are ideal for working on smaller areas. 

Source: PPC Imaginarium

Other Concrete Flooring Options

You can also choose metallic epoxy or a grind, stain and seal floor.

Metallic epoxy coatings are an evolution of stained and sealed concrete. There are many colors available from natural earth tones to vibrant, multi-color marble like effects. Metallic epoxy is popular in offices, showrooms and, retail stores.

Grind and Seal incorporates the polished process with less labor. Floors are grinded and stained in earth tones and sealed with urethanes or clear coat epoxies.

How Much Does Concrete Flooring Cost?

The cost can range from $2.00 - $10.00 per square foot depending on the condition, size and system.

A simple grind and seal for floors in good condition can be $2.00 - $3.00 PSF for large, wide open spaces.

The same system can be $4.00 - $7.00 for small spaces with columns, floor vents, stairways and other obstacles.

A heavier grind stain and seal can range from $3.50 - $7.00 PSF.

Polished concrete with a liquid densifier and stain can range from $3.00 - $10.00 psf.

Metallic epoxy ranges from $6.00 - $12.00 psf depending on size and color factors.

Epoxy Floor Coating is the Foundation for Concrete

Concrete is a strong, porous material where water and other substances can penetrate. Typically, concrete becomes damaged when this occurs. Water is a liquid substance that is needed for many reasons. However, concrete is damaged when water penetrates and freezes in cold temperatures. Additionally, some harsh chemicals can damage concrete underneath the surface that is hidden to the naked eye. Cosmetic fixes can improve the look of the surface, but the stability of the concrete is compromised.

Fortunately, epoxy floor paint offers a solution to the dangers harmful substances present to concrete. Hiring professional epoxy installers will ensure proper coatings are applied based on surface type. Acting as a sealant, epoxy coatings prevent the penetration of water and other harsh chemicals. This adds years to the life of driveways, patios, basement floors or commercial floorings.

In addition to durability, a concrete floor epoxy coating can be aesthetically pleasing with the right mixture of shine or color. Professional epoxy contractors can help customer’s select vibrant colors or pastel shades based on their needs. Deciding which one to choose with the assistance of contractors also depends on how the flooring is used.

Some sealants are applied to treat a concrete surface, while others penetrate the concrete to provide inner protection. In many situations, a penetrating sealant is preferred because of the additional layer of protection.

There are also breathable and non-breathable concrete epoxy paint. Breathable sealants work best on concrete slab that does not have a vapor barrier. Water is unable to evaporate and causes moisture build-up. Breathable sealants allow evaporation with protection for the top concrete surface from more moisture. Non-breathable sealants do the opposite where damage occurs to the concrete foundation over time.

Epoxy Floor Coating can also apply different types of sealant finishes. A simple fix to protect the driveway is using a clear sealant with very little gloss on the surface. However, a sealant for the patio might require a glossy concrete coating. This offers a shiny finish and an aesthetically pleasing look during a summer cookout.

This type of coating for the patio works even better on stamped or stained concrete. High gloss sealants are perfect for this purpose. The array of colors available can easily turn a drab piece of concrete into a beautiful landscape.

When choosing the right sealant, it is important to follow the instruction of professional epoxy contractors. These professional experts determine the perfect weather conditions for applying coatings to outdoor concrete surfaces. They are also experienced in matching customer needs with manufacturer guidelines to make the best recommendations. This ensures a safe application and an effective result that does not require a do-over within six months. 

They also understand the importance of preparing the concrete before applying the sealant. New concrete might require nearly one month of curing before a good sealant is applied.

In some cases, concrete sealants need to be reapplied as part of periodic maintenance. This increases the longevity of protection and appearance that is affected by heavy foot or vehicle traffic. Selecting the right sealant for Epoxy Floor Coating surfaces is the difference between having something beautiful and long-lasting from something that is short-lived.

Acid Stain Concrete for Beautifying Concrete

Acid Stain Concrete and dyes have been used to beautify concrete for many years. In fact, decorative concrete has roots that go back almost 2,000 years. A great example is the Roman Pantheon build in approximately 100 AD. This remarkable structure is a decorative concrete marvel.

At that time, volcanoes which had erupted centuries before emitted ash which combined with limestone which was readily available and water created concrete. Master builders started experimenting with concrete to create remarkable structures.

One of the first marvels which transformed Rome to a world power was development of aqueducts made of concrete which brought water from the Alps to the developing city. An abundance of water, ash and sandstone enabled the Romans to develop buildings for worship, education, trade and housing. Communities developed and thrived.

 

Ensuing wealth created vanity and vanity created demand for more ornate structures. Naturally coloring concrete evolved to enhance the decor of the structures. Colored pigments from iron were used as integral color mixed in concrete and also topically for more ornate and detailed design. In recent years, concrete acid stain developed a renaissance as demand for decorative concrete evolved due to visibility of the internet. Now decorative concrete was available for everyone to see with just a few clicks.

Over the past 10 years the technology of photography has enabled every contractor to take pictures of their work and post online for the world to see. The result is explosive demand for acid stained concrete. As demand exploded, new products and uses for stained concrete were created.

Contractors used concrete acid stain, solvent and water based dyes and iron oxide pigments to decorate concrete. Today, you’ll find stained concrete on polished concrete, self-leveling cement, overlays, even concrete countertops, custom sinks, wall panels and precast concrete elements. A recent development is metallic epoxy flooring which looks very similar to the natural look of Acid Stain Concrete.

Portland Garage Floor - Diamond Concrete Floor Polishing - The Basics

Concrete polishing is the finish of choice for most owners of new and existing concrete floors. The process is simple to apply with state-of-the-art technology. Low cost, durability and minimal maintenance make this the ideal flooring choice for industrial, commercial and other high-traffic situations. But what, exactly, is diamond concrete polishing?

What is Diamond Concrete Polishing?
The diamond concretepolishing process is relatively simple. Abrasive pads file down the top surface of the concrete. Next, diamond-embedded abrasive pads buff and polish the floor until it shines. The glossy surface is then sealed to maintain the appearance and increase the floor's durability.

Color & Design Ideas
Diamond concrete floor polishing offers consumers a number of options to change the appearance of their floors. To change the color of the floor, customers may request shake-on color hardeners or penetrating chemical stains and dyes to change their grey concrete to any number of colors.

The use of dyes is not the only design option for polished concrete flooring. In addition to a mirror-like shine, concrete flooring allows for embedded patterns, lines, images, grids and other designs. These floor embeds are added with a saw to make design options quite flexible.

In addition to dyes and aggregates, some property owners embed coins, nails and colored glass into concrete for a unique design element that really stands out. These surfaces are then polished to a smooth, flat high-gloss finish.

Can All Concrete Hold Up to Polishing? 
Most sound and solid concrete floors can hold up to a polish. Once cured, new concrete installations are easily and inexpensively brought to a shine.

Older concrete benefits the most from diamond concrete polishing. The polish spruces up and evens out wear spots in high-traffic areas. Older floors may first need additional grinding, patching or repairs before polishing. In many cases though, it saves thousands by allowing customers to recycle their old floors instead of tearing them up and starting anew.

Is Polished Concrete Slippery?
Polished concrete flooring looks much more slippery than it is. The polished floor appears shiny, but it is thoroughly tested for slip-resistance at all traffic levels.

Concrete Flooring - How to Polish Concrete Floor

A solid floor makes for a fantastic completion, inside or out. To keep your floor looking awesome, customary cleaning and periodic cleaning are regular practice. Notwithstanding making your surface look extraordinary, a legitimate cleaning regimen can expand the life span of your solid floor.

 

To viably clean your Concrete Flooring, you will need to work the floor in stages, utilizing plates of various compositions. Take after these progressions to get the most out of your cleaning endeavors.

Sweep

Clean the floor before you apply shine. Utilize a concretefloor resurfacing to clear away any soil and flotsam and jetsam. Accumulate everything for expulsion with either a dustpan or a vacuum.

Mop

Fill a mop basin with water and include gentle cleanser. Mop the floor's surface as a way to clean any remaining dust. Mellow stains ought to likewise fall off when you wipe. Ensure you permit the floor to dry or wipe the floor dry before you start to clean.

Polish With Coarse Grit

Utilize a coarse-coarseness cleaning circle to clean the floor. Coarse coarseness is more compelling at disposing of hardheaded stains and harsh ranges on the floor surface. Start toward one side of the floor and work deliberately, moving upward from side to side until you cover the whole floor. Use round movements to work over the entire floor with the coarse coarseness plate.

Give careful consideration to stains with the goal that you dispose of these however much as could be expected, and be mindful so as to maintain a strategic distance from covers as you continue.

Polish with Fine Grit

Switch to a fine coarseness cleaning plate. Use roundabout movements to work over the whole floor. Abstain from covering movement. Any leftover stains ought to lift when you clean with fine coarseness. Your floor surface ought to look spotless and uniform as all stains and unpleasant patches are cleared through the coarse and fine coarseness activity.

Polish with Extra-Fine Grit

For the last stage, utilize a cleaning circle with the finest coarseness. It will give your solid floor a pleasant, glass-like sheen. Now, any recoloring or imperfections ought to be completely gone, so this pass is about getting a lovely wrap up.

You should cover in this stage. Use roundabout movements to work the coarseness over the whole floor. Make certain to cover your circles as you continue.

Apply Concrete Floor Polish

Utilize the best concrete acid stain to apply solid floor shine over the entire surface. Doing as such ought to give you an additional sheen. Your solid floor is presently looking great.

Now, are you raring to know how to polish concrete floor? By this step you will be much easier to do the right thing. Then sit tight and hold one's horses for new upcoming DIY tips will be posted at Portland Garage Floor where can provide the best among all Concrete Floor services in Portland!

Concrete Countertops – The Portland Garage Floor DIY Pointers

As more property owners discover the value and beauty of concrete, they are more often including concrete designs into to their homes, offices, hotels, malls, restaurants, etc., in the most amazing ways.

 

Leading the Polished Concrete craze are concrete countertops. Once you learn more about why they are so popular, you’ll also discover what makes them so versatile and functional for your property. Color options are plenteous, and they transform boring gray concrete into artistic designs perfect for just about any décor – residential or commercial.

 

Adding concrete countertops to your kitchen or bathroom is a project you can complete yourself. These types of cement projects do take time so you can spread the work out to finish on weekends or hire a decorative concrete contractor to handle if you’re short on time. That allows for the extra time required to cure the concrete. Doing it yourself with concrete does save on the high expenses associated with custom granite or marble counters. Fortunately, concrete is so versatile that you can achieve similar looks at a fraction of the price of more expensive materials.

If you plan to take on the project yourself, concrete countertops are more challenging, but they are also one of the more rewarding do-it-yourself projects. Beginners should plan to keep things simple. Use basic colors, edges and treatments. Also set aside a couple of weekends to finish the project and keep yourself from getting overwhelmed.

Beginners and do-it-yourself aficionados typically aren’t able to complete this size of project in a single weekend. No matter the size countertop you choose, the curing process cannot be missed, and then you must also grind and polish the surface as well. 

Proper sealing of concrete is a must when installing cement countertops. The right seal keeps stains at bay, and there are also options for adding dyes and stains to the cement to bring in some color to your counters. If you aren’t used to working with concrete, you may not achieve exactly what you expect the first time around, but the good news is there are remedies for most results that don’t turn out as expected. 

If a DIY concrete countertop seems like more than you can handle or you’d simply like a professional to handle the task, contact Smith and Company Flooring for more information about concrete countertops and floors in the Portland Oregon area.