Index1. Introduction2. GrindingLight sand/cream finishSalt and pepper finishMedium aggregate finishLarge aggregate finish1. IntroductionPolished concrete, discovered about 14 years ago, has made history as a sustainable, low-maintenance flooring option in almost every market segment. In recent years we have all walked on a polished concrete surface. It is such a popular and fast-growing industry that, in many cases, it is outperforming consumers and contractors with new technologies and new methods. This rapid growth has put the industry in a very unstable state, leaving consumers confused about what is and isn't refined and what aspects of performance to expect. (Burns, 2015) Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayThe Concrete Polishing Association of America (CPAA) was formed in November 2009 to create standards for processing concrete with a polished finish and help define these processes so architects, designers, and consumers can better understand the process of selection. CPAA leadership is comprised of manufacturers and contractors to provide continuity in creating these standards and procedures. The CPAA has defined polished concrete as; The act of modifying the surface of a concrete floor, with or without further exposure, to achieve the desired level of gloss finish. There are three basic versions of polished concrete according to CPAA. They are cement-related abrasive polishes, burnished polished concrete and locally polished concrete. The polishing process can be divided into three sections. Those are grinding, densifying and polishing. (wine, n.d.) There are many flooring systems on the market and there is a lot of competition there too. Therefore, evaluation and modifications made should be necessary to polish concrete to survive in the industry.2. SandingWhen considering floor restoration, not all types of flooring will be glass-like. Concrete smoothing occurs before the polishing process, making it a simpler and less time-consuming option when high-gloss surfaces are not needed. The resulting abrasive texture is a grainy abrasive halfway between a matt and slightly shiny appearance, a classic appearance of steps or external surfaces. Ground concrete can also be sealed with a urethane sealer to achieve a polished concrete-like finish in fewer steps. In fact, a urethane-sealed floor can perform better in many environments than a polished floor. Because concrete processing involves a series of steps, the level of strength, durability and shine improves as you cut and reshape the concrete. This is why ground concrete is not as bright as polished concrete; polishing requires significantly more production. Both, however, offer a professional look, so the type of concrete we choose depends entirely on our preferences. (O'Shannessy, 2015) Grinding Steps Different Exposures of Aggregate (polished-cement-the-complete-guide-2017, n.d.) Light Sand/Cream Finish Light sand exposure is a ground and polished surface, which generally exposes only the sand particles on the concrete floor. This finish is considered a creamy looking surface and is the most popular choice for high gloss floors and architectural floors. Salt and Pepper Finish Salt and pepper exposure is a smooth, shiny surface, usually exposing spattering of fine aggregates on the concrete floor. This finish is most frequently chosen to give the appearance of an aged surface. Depth of.)
tags