Frequently Asked Questions
Is polished concrete cold during winter?
Is polished concrete cold during winter? Polished concrete is a recognised sustainable and 'green' building product due to its thermal mass properties. Thermal mass is the ability of a product to absorb heat and release it slowly over time. For example, in winter if a concrete slab has enough exposure to sunlight during the day, it will release the heat slowly over night.
What is aggregate?
Aggregate is the stone within a concrete mix. This is exposed once the concrete floor is ground back.
Can you colour match an existing slab if a new one is poured next to it?
Can you colour match an existing slab if a new one is poured next to it? Yes we can by staining both slabs the same colour. Stained concrete is a great product for making two different slabs appear as one seamless floor.
Do Transitions use UV stable sealers?
All the sealers and polishes used by Transitions Polishing and Grinding are UV stable. This means that they will not go yellow or peal with exposure to UV light and will not cause efflorescence (a white cloudy stain on or under your sealer.) These systems are generally caused when clear epoxies or some polyurethane products are used to finish your floor.
Can you polish an existing concrete floor?
enerally yes, depending on the existing condition of the floor and/or any damage the floor may have received.
How much does polished concrete cost?
The price varies depending on the condition of the concrete floor and what ultimate look you are after. The elements that affect pricing are: status of the project, the size of the area, aggregate exposure, application of stain, removal of existing flooring and the final sealer applied.
Is polished concrete slippery?
This all depends on the desired finish. As an external finish, the floor is not as refined and non-slip flakes can be applied to ensure it is slip-resistant.
What is the difference between polished concrete floors and honed concrete floors?
Honed concrete is not as refined as polished concrete and is generally used as an external product. However the same process applies in application, the aggregate is exposed and the finished product is sealed.
Can i integrate coloured aggregate and/or concrete into my floor?
When you lay a new slab of concrete you have a wide range of coloured concrete and aggregates to choose from. However when you are grinding back an existing floor you are limited to the concrete and aggregate which was laid. The colour varies depending on the age and location of your slab. If you want to add a colour to an existing slab you can.
How soon can i use my polished concrete floor after it has been installed?
This is dependant on the final sealer applied, but generally you can walk on the floor after 30 minutes - 1 hour once the sealer has dried.
What is concrete staining?
Stained concrete is the process of adding colours to an existing slab of concrete. The colour stain is a translucent pigment which only colours concrete and leaves the aggregate unaffected. Tie in two different slabs, eliminate imperfections or match corporate branding through stained concrete.
Is the process dusty or messy?
Transitions Polishing and Grinding generally use a dustless system of grinding and finishing your floor. All waste is cleaned up and removed from your premises.
What is polished concrete?
Polished concrete is achieved by grinding your concrete floor until you expose the desired amount of aggregate. It is then refined, sealed and polished. For more information, visit our Polished Concrete page.