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EVALUATING THE BEST CONCRETE FLOOR OPTIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Jul 19, 2019

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There are hundreds of flooring options for your business. Concrete may not be the perfect flooring option for every business, but it is an excellent choice for many. It has enormous benefits and with very few challenges compared to other concrete floor options. Today we will share a glimpse of our knowledge of polished concrete and how it can be the best flooring option for your business. 



WHAT IS POLISHED CONCRETE?

Polished concrete is created through the honing and mechanical grinding of a concrete surface with specialized diamond-impregnated tooling. It refines the surface in order to achieve a particular level of gloss and aggregate exposure specified by the client. There are several levels of shine including flat (ground), satin (honed), polished, and highly polished. The aggregate exposure classes include cement fines, fine aggregate, and coarse aggregate, which denotes the surface exposure after grinding to different depths and polishing. There are numerous benefits to choosing polished concrete for your business such as low life-cycle cost, low maintenance needs, and high sustainability. 


BENEFITS

The initial cost of a new floor is inevitable, but that cost can be recovered over time. The life-cycle cost of concrete flooring is not an exact science to calculate, as you can never fully predict the life of your concrete flooring. Knowing that concrete floors are one of the most durable options on the market with a lifespan of over 20 years when properly cared for, you can be assured that your cost will be recouped. They can last significantly longer when they are well maintained since they do not chip, dent, or wear easily like many other flooring options. Plus, when it’s time to sell or lease your space or building, your buyers will see the added value of polished concrete flooring. Polished concrete looks great for any warehouse, commercial space, restaurant, school, or office. 


Maintenance is a factor for all concrete floor options. They will require some form of cleaning, which includes a time commitment. Polished concrete is far and away one of the longest-lasting flooring options with very low maintenance needed. This means that with a regular maintenance schedule and the correct type of cleaning, polished concrete can last a lifetime. Basic maintenance for your polished concrete flooring should include cleaning up a spill and removing debris as quickly as possible. This will help protect it from staining as the spilled liquid will not have time to seep into the porous surface. Dry and wet mopping on a weekly basis is an easy way to keep your floors clear of dust, dirt, and other grime accumulation. Due to the porous surface of polished concrete, its highly ill-advised to use corrosive cleaning materials such as vinegar, bleach, or citrus which can weaken the bonds of the concrete and lead to further damage which may require professional restorative work. 


Sustainability of polished concrete is immense. Not only does it use one of the world’s most available materials – limestone – but it also requires the least amount of new natural resources to be produced. Due to its longevity, it will not require full replacement like other options such as carpet or laminate, which can help you save time, money, and resources.


Most buildings are constructed with concrete slab flooring to serve as an added structural reinforcement and a blank slate for any flooring that would be added on top. Unlike other flooring options, polished concrete makes use of the existing slab rather than adding additional flooring such as carpet, laminate, and tile which end up in landfills after they’re torn up. These options typically last a few years before they require replacement and they end up being discarded. Another cost and environmental saving of polished concrete is the reduction in heat and lighting you’ll see. Concrete absorbs and stores excess heat which in turn lowers your heating bill. Due to the shiny surface of polished concrete, it can reflect light, reducing the need for extra lighting. 


RESTORATIVE WORK

Regular maintenance can prolong the life of polished concrete flooring. Unfortunately, it cannot protect it from all types of damage like deep scratching or cracking. Professional restorative work from Royale Concrete was designed for these exact situations. As durable as polished concrete is, it isn’t impervious. Restoration and refinishing can revive dull or damaged concrete flooring and bring it back to life. Damage occurs in several ways and produces different types of damage which need to be dealt with in different ways. This means that repairs and restoration will need to be evaluated in order to properly repair and prevent further damage from occurring. Refinishing polished concrete is a task best left to the professionals. 


HOW IT DIFFERS FROM OTHER OPTIONS

Topical products claim to mimic the appearance of polished concrete, but they cannot mimic the other benefits such as durability, longevity, and sustainability. The temporary shine of waxes and sealers needs to be renewed frequently in order to maintain a high level of shine as opposed to the mechanically produced shine of polished concrete. Unlike many other floor options, polished concrete is highly customizable to meet the desired final appearance and function specified by the customer. There truly is no concrete floor option like polished concrete. 


POLISHED CONCRETE PROFESSIONALS

Royale Concrete is passionate about providing a concrete floor option for businesses that not only meets needs but also exceeds them. Choosing polished concrete provides a beautiful, sustainable, and long-lasting floor that can be nearly any color, level of shine, and level of aggregate exposure. Considering other flooring options is time-consuming, but in the end, we are sure polished concrete will often come out on top. Our professional concrete services also include surface preparation, terrazzo polishing, coatings, concrete maintenance, and concrete repairs. Contact us today to learn more about the concrete floor options available for your business! 

RESTORING TERRAZZO FLOORS IN OLDER BUILDINGS

15 May, 2023
If you’re looking at your Terrazzo floors and wondering whether it’s worth it to restore them, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll answer this question and look at the reasons why restoring Terrazzo floors could be a good option for your flooring needs. TERRAZZO FLOORS Terrazzo flooring is exceptionally durable, beautiful, and known for its mosaic-like design. While these floors rarely need major restoration, if an old floor has chipping, cracking, or other signs of imperfection, it’s essential that you don’t leave them as-is. Otherwise, more damage can occur. Other issues you might notice include: Scratches Holes Discoloration Stains Thankfully, even these issues are fixable, and your Terrazzo floor can be restored to its former beauty. RESTORING TERRAZZO The first step in restoring Terrazzo floors is to remove any debris or substance that is on top of the flooring surface. This includes wax and sealers formerly used for the floor. Next, if there are any holes, cracks, or missing areas, an aggregate will be crafted to match the pattern of the existing floor. Cracks and holes will then be filled in. Once holes and cracks are filled, polishing begins. This is where the real magic happens. For Terrazzo floors and many other types of concrete flooring, polishing is what makes the floor come to life. Terrazzo concrete flooring can be restored to its former glory even if carpet has been applied over the top, it has glue, wax, or other tacky substances, or it bears holes or cracks. Once restored, Terrazzo floors can be enjoyed for years and look just as beautiful as ever. WHY POLISHING? There are numerous reasons to choose polishing for Terrazzo restoration over waxing. They include: Maintenance Cost Longevity Ease of cleaning After Terrazzo floors have been polished, they are resistant to spills, require minimal upkeep, and will keep their shine for years to come. The low cost of maintenance makes polishing an ideal choice for schools and government buildings. Occasional touch-up polishing will maintain the shine of your floor. However, even with occasional touch-ups, polishing is far more affordable than regular waxing and results in even more significant cost savings. Polished floors keep their shine and, with regular maintenance, rarely need repolishing even in areas of high foot traffic. This makes polishing an obvious choice for the life of your concrete floors. When wax is used, residual wax will typically need to be cleaned, and a yearly coat reapplied and maintained, adding to the overall cost of maintenance and upkeep. When cleaning polished Terrazzo floors, you’ll need minimal supplies. The items your office building or school janitor already has on hand are likely enough to keep your floors clean and shiny for years to come. A dust mop and a wet mop are all you need to keep your polished floors maintained and shiny. A ROYALE TEAM At Royale Concrete , we know Terrazzo concrete, how to restore your flooring, and what type of restoration work is best for your needs. We have been CPC Craftsman Certified by the American Society of Concrete Contractors and proudly hold membership in the American Institute of Architects. We have been given an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau and strictly adhere to all OSHA safety guidelines. We proudly offer customized solutions that fit your needs and your budget. Our expertly trained team of professional craftsmen are available for any service you need from preparation and polishing to coating and repair work. At Royale Concrete, we take pride in our work and strive to ensure you are satisfied with the finished product. Give us a call today at (888) 568-6001 or fill out our contact form and let’s see how Royale Concrete can help you.

THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR POLISHING CONTRACTOR

12 May, 2020
If you’re looking to hire a company to provide concrete polishing, it’s essential that you know what to look for before you sign the contract. While there may be numerous companies offering concrete polishing, it’s crucial to hire the most knowledgeable and experienced companies for a top-quality job. Here are three questions to ask any polished concrete contractor before you hire them. ARE YOU CPC CRAFTSMAN CERTIFIED BY THE ASCC? If you’re not familiar with the world of concrete, this might sound like Greek to you. This certification, however, is one of the most important certifications a concrete contractor can receive. The ASCC is the American Society of Concrete Contractors . It’s been in operation since 1964 and is a non-profit association specializing in aiding concrete contractors with: Safety Resources Continuing Education Opportunities Industry Expertise and Best Practices Certification The CPC Craftsman certification is given by the ASCC only after rigorous criteria have been met, including passing official examinations and documenting a minimum of 4,500 hours of concrete polishing experience. This certification tells you that the company you are considering for your job has been through significant testing and certification processes for the task at hand. CAN YOU DEMONSTRATE EXPERIENCE WITH SIMILAR PROJECTS IN SIZE AND SCOPE? After establishing a company’s certification, the next question you want to ask is regarding their work history. To be certified, they’ve had to put in 4,500 hours of concrete polishing work. That doesn’t mean, however, that they’ve ever dealt with the size and scope of work you need. Ask to see before and after pictures of projects they have completed similar to yours. Professional companies should have documented evidence that strongly supports their history and ability to perform concrete polishing jobs for businesses, schools, government offices, and residential needs. If the company you are considering has no documentation of any kind, consider this lack of evidence to be a warning flag and proceed with caution. It’s rare to find professional companies that entirely lack documentation of their hard work. CAN YOU PROVIDE REFERENCES FROM PREVIOUS CUSTOMERS? The best concrete contractors are proud of the work they perform and strive to produce a finished result that customers will rave about. Reviews and references from former customers are the lifeblood of many companies that rely on word of mouth to pass along the quality of their work. Most companies should have a file on hand of customer testimonials regarding the work they’ve completed. After you’ve seen the company’s provided references, check Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau for more reviews. Get opinions from customers who have used the company you’re considering and proceed accordingly. GO AHEAD, ASK US! At Royale Concrete , we are proud to answer these questions. We have been in operation since 2006 and are CPC Craftsman Certified by the ASCC. We have an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. We are well-reviewed on Google and Facebook We have completed projects of a wide variety of scope and sizes Our team is made up of hardworking, dedicated professionals that strive to provide our customers with the best solution for their needs and budget. We specialize in commercial concrete polishing, repair work, surface preparation, and coating. If you’d like to see our work , we have a gallery of before and after photos. Our team has completed projects for: Schools Government Offices Gyms Dealerships Showrooms Heavy Equipment Shops We’d love the opportunity to talk with you about your project. Let’s see how we can get your floors looking beautiful. Call us at (888) 568-6001 or fill out our contact form today!

BENEFITS OF POLISHED CONCRETE FOR WAREHOUSES

12 May, 2020
Warehouses receive a lot of wear and tear on their flooring. No matter what kind of business you have, heavy machinery, endless foot traffic, supplies, carts, shelving, and storage containers move across and get stored on top of your flooring. While polished concrete may not be the best for every warehouse, it can considerably benefit warehouses that are able to take advantage of the process. Here are several reasons why polished concrete is great for warehouses. INCREASED SAVINGS When you have your concrete flooring polished, you’ll increase savings in two ways – time and money. Cleaning your polished concrete floor is relatively simple and can be done with supplies you already have on hand. Your facilities maintenance staff can clean with an industrial floor scrubber and you’ll keep your polished floors looking great for years to come. Thanks to the smooth surface of a polished floor, clean up will be much faster, as well. When it comes to cost savings , the process of polishing a concrete floor is up to six times less expensive than VCT or Epoxy coating. Since polished flooring lasts for so long and requires so little in the way of maintenance, you’ll save money in the short and long-run when you have this process done. BETTER DURABILITY Plain concrete is durable; there’s no doubt about that. But by polishing the surface, the floor becomes even more functional. When the entire process is complete, a succession of diamond grit tools will have been used with our industrial grinders, creating a highly refined surface that is tight and dense. Since there is no rough concrete, there is less opportunity for chipping and breaking from machine traffic. Polished concrete is significantly more durable than unpolished and is the reason why many companies with warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants choose this method. LEVEL PLAYING FIELD As a warehouse floor ages slab curling, heaving, and cracking can cause disruptions to the surface of the floor. Uneven flooring in a warehouse can cause long-term losses in productivity and maintenance costs on ridged fork trucks. Polishing the surface of your concrete floor can cover remedy these functional imperfections, restore productivity, and alleviate any unnecessary stress on your machinery. Long term problems require long term solutions and a simple polishing job will only cover these issues temporarily. Work with a contractor who can diagnose the root cause of the issue first. Control and expansion joints are the common culprit for uneven flooring and must be inspected before moving forward with any warehouse project. Grinding, polishing, repairing and filling the control and expansion joints can alleviate unnecessary pressure on the floor itself, providing long term durability. LONGER LASTING AND SAFE Polished concrete flooring requires very simple maintenance to keep it in the best shape possible and extend its life. While the shine will eventually diminish and need to be touched up, the durability and dustproof nature of your flooring will not. Polished concrete can handle significant weight, foot traffic, and machinery for years to come. After the polishing process is complete, concrete floors are very safe . They meet, and often exceed, ANSI standards for flooring. It may look like glass, but the co–efficient of friction is higher than regular concrete, meaning employees will be less likely to slip and fall. To find out more information on slip resistance, visit the CPC to view industry standard data for different gloss levels. ECO-FRIENDLY Polished concrete is one of the most eco-friendly flooring options available. The polishing process uses the current substrate in your building and makes it stronger, more durable, and much better looking. Even if your floor has experienced significant wear, cracking, or deterioration, the polishing process can revitalize your floor, bring it back to life, and provide a fresh alternative. Polished concrete flooring also provides better lighting in warehouses. Due to the increased shine and reflective nature after polishing, flooring will reflect the lighting from above. This can enable you to use less light and still create just as bright of a work environment, conserving power, and cutting down on your eco-footprint. POLISHED CONCRETE FOR YOUR WAREHOUSE When you hire Royale Concrete , you’ll gain a team of dedicated and experienced craftspeople who are passionate about their trade. Polishing concrete is just not just a job – it’s part science and part art, and we love what we do. Royale Concrete offers a range of services from terrazzo polishing and surface preparation to coating, concrete maintenance, and repair work. Whether you have a residential or commercial flooring need, we strive to deliver the best service you’ll encounter. Our multiple craftsman are CPC Certified by the ASCC, OSHA Certified, and backed by an A+ rating from the BBB. Drop us a note or call us at 888-568-6001 and let’s see if your site is a good fit for polished concrete flooring!
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