Polished Concrete Floors

• Commercial interiors where a clean, low-maintenance concrete finish is preferred.
• Retail, showroom and office spaces where the existing slab can become part of the finished design.
• Residential interiors where homeowners want exposed concrete instead of tile, carpet or a coating system.
• Large open spaces where a durable, seamless-looking floor is desirable.
• Retail stores, showrooms, restaurants, salons and barbershops, offices, warehouses and other commercial facilities, as well as residential interiors.

1. Inspect the slab — evaluate concrete condition, existing coatings, adhesives, cracks, repairs, aggregate exposure and moisture-related concerns before polishing begins.
2. Remove surface materials — mechanically remove coatings, adhesives, sealers or contaminants that would interfere with the polishing process. Removal of existing coatings, adhesives and residues is quoted separately from the polishing itself. Epoxy or other coatings, paint, carpet adhesive, tile adhesive or mastic, and other existing floor coverings or residues may require additional removal.
3. Grind the concrete — use progressively finer diamond tooling to flatten and refine the surface while establishing the desired level of aggregate exposure.
4. Repair suitable defects — address appropriate cracks, pits and surface damage before the final polishing stages, recognizing that repairs may remain visible in exposed concrete.
5. Densify the surface — apply a concrete densifier at the appropriate stage to react with the slab and increase surface hardness. Concrete densifier is standard on every Epoxy Panda polished-concrete system.
6. Hone and polish — continue through progressively finer diamond grits until the desired finish and reflectivity are achieved. Epoxy Panda offers three finish levels: matte/honed (low reflectivity), satin (medium reflectivity) and high gloss (high reflectivity).
7. Apply the final protective treatment — apply a compatible stain guard or penetrating protective treatment when specified to help with maintenance and spill resistance. A compatible protective stain guard is standard after polishing.

• Polished concrete uses the existing slab as the finished floor, so there is no decorative coating layer covering the concrete.
• The surface can be highly durable in appropriate residential and commercial environments because the concrete itself is mechanically refined and hardened.
• Polished concrete is generally easy to sweep, dust-mop and maintain when the surface is properly finished and cared for.
• The final appearance depends heavily on the existing slab, including aggregate distribution, previous repairs, stains, cracks and color variation.
• No two polished concrete floors look exactly alike because the finished appearance comes from the actual concrete rather than a manufactured pattern.
• Cracks and previous repairs can remain visible after polishing, and polishing does not stop future structural movement.
• Higher levels of polish create more reflectivity, which can brighten a space but may also make surface imperfections, dust or scratches more noticeable.
• Polished concrete can become slippery when wet, especially at higher sheen levels, so the intended use of the space should be considered.
• Existing coatings, adhesives or deep contamination can significantly increase the preparation required before polishing.
• Polished concrete is primarily an interior flooring solution unless the full process and finish are specifically selected for exterior conditions. Epoxy Panda’s polished-concrete service is for interior concrete only; for exterior concrete, see Patio & Outdoor Concrete Coatings.

• Total square footage.
• Condition and flatness of the existing slab.
• Concrete hardness.
• Existing coatings, paint, adhesive or sealer removal.
• Amount of crack, pit or surface repair required.
• Desired aggregate exposure level.
• Desired polish level or final reflectivity.
• Number of grinding and polishing passes required.
• Edge work around walls, columns and detailed areas.
• Access for larger grinding and polishing equipment.
• Existing stains or contamination in the slab.
• Densifier and a protective stain guard are standard on every Epoxy Panda polished-concrete system. Removal of existing coatings and adhesives is quoted separately.

Remove abrasive dirt and grit regularly with a dust mop, soft broom or vacuum so particles are not repeatedly ground into the polished surface. Clean with water and a neutral cleaner appropriate for polished concrete, and avoid acidic or highly alkaline products that can dull or etch the floor. Spills should be cleaned promptly, especially oils, dyes and acidic liquids. Depending on traffic and use, periodic burnishing or maintenance treatments may be needed to restore appearance. Epoxy Panda also provides periodic polished-concrete maintenance, burnishing, re-polishing and restoration of worn polished floors. How often a floor needs attention depends on traffic, use and its condition.

• Commercial Floor Coatings — Coating systems selected for traffic, cleaning and daily operations.
• Solid Color Coatings — Clean, uniform color for garages, shops, utility spaces and commercial interiors.
• Concrete Grinding & Preparation — Mechanical surface preparation for proper coating adhesion.

See all Epoxy Panda services, or read the overview of residential coatings and commercial coatings.