When you say “concrete floors,” one does not immediately imagine sleek, glossy, and classy flooring. But thanks to modern concrete designs, you can now add a layer of style and personality to your trusty and durable concrete floor.
One of the easiest ways you can freshen up your concrete floor is by giving it a high-gloss finish. It is a versatile look that gives off a luxurious, reflective finish, perfect for letting in more light to your property.
So if you are looking to revamp your interior concrete floors or just hoping to freshen up your worn-out glossy flooring, this guide will walk you through the major do’s and don’ts to achieve your desired polished look.
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Tip #1: Prepare the surface thoroughly
Whatever concrete flooring texture you have planned, how well you prepare the surface will determine if you will succeed in achieving your desired look. Remember, applying a high-gloss finish to your concrete floor will also trap whatever blemishes and impurities you left on the surface, so it always pays to carefully clean any dirt, patch holes, and fill cracks before proceeding to the next steps.
For tough stains, you can always use a high-strength solution to dissolve it. Just remember to properly ventilate the area before doing so, and to wear sufficient protective eyewear and clothing if you are planning to go the DIY route.
Tip #2: Sand the concrete with the correct grinder
Sanding concrete has numerous advantages. Aside from aesthetics, sanding your concrete floor enables you to achieve a consistent look throughout the surface, especially if you filled any cracks or patched holes.
This process usually uses progressively-finer grit sanding pads with a stand-up grinder, which will grind down the surface to give you a uniform and level look throughout your flooring. Typically, a coarse diamond buffer is used on the first round of sanding to remove any imperfections on the surface, like cracks or stains.
Tip #3: Apply a chemical hardener and polish the concrete
After grinding, a chemical hardener is used to make your concrete surface denser and tougher by strengthening its bonds. This densifier helps protect it from stains, chemicals, and general wear and tear.
Once the chemical hardener completely dries, you can then start buffing the floor until you achieve your desired shine. This process requires a series of finer-grit diamond polishing pads to smoothen and buff your concrete floor. As polishing is a make-or-break step in the process, it is better to do this steadily and carefully. Rushing it can only give you inconsistent finishing or even damage your floor.
Tip #4: Seal the concrete floor
Now that you have achieved your high-gloss concrete finish, it is now time to apply a sealer to protect it from dirt, grease, liquids, stains, or other contaminants, while also adding a touch of high-sheen effect to the final look.
The key to a consistent gloss throughout the concrete flooring is thoroughly cleaning the surface before applying the sealer using a spray or a roller brush. This is because leaving any contaminant, such as oil, dirt, or debris, in between the surface and the sealer will just weaken its bond, shortening its lifespan while giving off a spotty, uneven finish.
After applying your desired layers of sealer, it is best to wait at least 1-2 days before walking over the sealed high-gloss concrete floor.
Tip #5: Clean and retouch as needed
While high-gloss concrete flooring is known for its durability and low maintenance, it does not necessarily mean you can go a lifetime without cleaning and retouching it.
Although a high-gloss concrete floor does not trap dirt or dust, sweep away dirt and debris regularly to maintain that high-end, timeless aesthetic of your high-gloss flooring. To retouch that high-sheen look, you can also reapply a floor wax every few months.
Final words of advice
The best part about using a high-gloss concrete sealer? It does not only make your concrete floor look luxurious and reflective, but it also extends its lifespan by creating a protective layer against moisture, chemicals, and other harmful substances.
Aside from luxury and utility, a high-gloss concrete floor is also relatively easier to maintain and clean. To ensure you keep its glossy features intact, you would only need to buff it at least once every month and apply a wax polish every few months. Doing this simple maintenance work will keep your high-gloss concrete floor looking shiny and high-end for a long time.
Whether you want to go the DIY route or you would opt to hire a contractor to do it for you, it always pays to educate yourself on what to expect during the preparation, mid-construction, and post-job aftercare. After all, your high-gloss concrete floor will only be as effective as you build it up to be.
