How Long Does Polished Concrete Last?

When you make an investment, you want it to last as long as possible.

The longevity is proof that you made the right choice.

This clearly explains why consumers gravitate towards polished concrete because aside from its beauty, polished concrete is cost-effective and – more importantly – it is proven to last long. Another reason why polished concrete outshines other flooring systems is the fact that it requires very little maintenance if at all. Affordable installation is one thing, but if it also offers affordable maintenance, then you’ve just hit two birds with one stone! It doesn’t take a genius to realize that polished concrete is indeed a great investment.

If you’re concerned about the design, you’ll be happy to know that polished concrete floors come in a wide array of patterns and colors. You will surely find a design that will suit you best.

But how long does polished concrete last?

Is it too good to be true? Before we answer that, first let’s delve into the process of concrete polishing to better understand why it’s hailed as the best in today’s flooring industry.

How Is Polished Concrete Done?

Polished concrete floors follow a standard step-by-step process to ensure success. However, there are certain factors that may affect the usual process like the condition and the age of the floor. Nonetheless, the installation process is as follows:

• A professional flooring contractor will visually inspect and assess your floors to check for residual oils, paint, and cracks to see if there are areas in your concrete floor that need to be repaired.
• The floor must be completely clean and this means any trace of stains, oil, and paint have to be removed. Holes and cracks must be repaired.
• Once your floors are oil and crack free, a chemical hardener will be applied on your floor to boost its strength.
• After the application of the hardener, the next step is the polishing. The amount applied will depend on your sheen preference.

Just How Long Does Polished Concrete Floor Last?

Basically, the lifespan of a polished concrete floor that’s properly maintained is at least 20 years or more. This is the main reason why the demand for polished concrete is steadily growing. Polished concrete is considered the flooring of choice in areas that receive high foot traffic and heavy use such as shops, buildings, offices, hotels, restaurants, and warehouses. The reason why polished concrete can last a long time is because it doesn’t chip and dent like softer floorings do. Aside from its innate hardness, polished concrete can last for decades when they are professionally installed and properly cared for and maintained.

What Are The Factors That Affect The Longevity of Polished Concrete Floors?

It is important to mention that not all concrete floors share the same lifespan. If you want your floors to last longer you have to hire professional flooring contractors to ensure that the correct installation process is followed. If you skip a step it will hurt the entire process and negatively impact the longevity of your polished concrete floor. As you can see, the durability of your floors doesn’t just rely on the materials used but it also matters who installs it. Hire skilled and competent floor installers if you want your concrete polished floors to last.

Another factor that greatly contributes to the lifespan of polished concrete floors is maintenance. Very little maintenance is needed to preserve the beauty and integrity of polished concrete, but sadly, many fail to care and maintain their floor. If you want to maximize the full lifespan of your concrete floors you need to look after it on a regular basis.

How do you do that? It’s quite simple.

One fact that makes polished concrete desirable is it’s very easy to maintain. Here’s how to do it:

• Keep grit and dust away by sweeping and vacuuming your polished concrete floor on the regular. Dust, sand and gravel accumulation can create scratches on your floor.
• When mopping polished concrete make sure to use lukewarm water. Use a microfiber mop instead of a dry mop. If you are going to apply conditioner, we recommend you carefully follow the instructions on the label.
• To preserve the shine we suggest you apply a floor polisher once it’s dry.
• Never attempt to apply strong industrial chemicals on your polished concrete so as not to dull the shine.

What Causes Polished Concrete To Develop Cracks?

There are a number of factors that cause polished concrete floors to crack. The best way to avoid cracks is to regularly inspect your polished concrete. Let’s look at the possible factors that contribute to concrete cracks.

• Adding excessive water in the concrete mixture. When there is too much water to the mix it will compromise the strength of your floors by causing it to shrink once it dries up. When too much water is added, just as much gets evaporated, which explains the shrinkage. This is the reason why it’s vital that you invest in reliable floor contractors because they know the exact amount of water to be added to the mixture to prevent shrinkage.
• Patience is a virtue. Expediting the drying process of your concrete will do more harm than good. The process of changing liquid concrete to solid is called hydration. If this is rushed the normal reaction process will be disrupted causing the water to evaporate too fast thereby resulting in cracks.

Despite heavy use and high foot traffic, you can still expect your polished concrete to last a long time as long as it is properly and regularly maintained. However, a huge contributing factor to its lifespan is the way it is installed so make sure you hire trusted and skilled flooring contractors.