FAQ's

Polished Concrete

Can you choose any colour for polished concrete?

If you want to polish the concrete of an existing slab, then you are limited to whatever is already in the concrete. If you don’t like the colour of the cement and aggregate, the only option is to put a colour dye over the top. If you are pouring a new slab you can choose the colour of your cement and the colour of your stone (aggregate). It is important not to underestimate the colour of the cement, as this can significantly change the look and the cost of the floor.

What does polished concrete cost?

At Envirocoat we quote at a per square meter rate, and the price will depend upon the procedure – full mechanical polish or grind and seal, level of exposure, condition of the concrete etc. It is best to contact us for a quote.

Is polished concrete a good solution if i suffer from allergies and athsma?

Yes, its possibly the best solutions for you. Polished concrete floors are completely seamless and will not support the growth of toxic mould, dirt, pollen or dust mites and therefore are perfect for any sufferers of asthma or other allergies.

Is there much mess or dust during the concrete polishing procedure?

When doing the main grind there is very minimal dust in the air as we use high grade three phase dust extractors. . After each step during the procedure the floor is cleaned and on completion there is no mess or dust to be seen.

How long does it take to do the concrete polishing process?

The time it takes to polish concrete depends on a few factors – firstly how big the area is, and also if the space is open or if there are lots of small rooms that require extra hand work. Then depending on which concrete polishing system you want – full polish or grind and seal, then how much exposure of stone or aggregate you want to see, and the level of shine or gloss you want. As an example a normal garage for a grind and seal takes approximately 2 days. And a house that has approx 100m2 of full exposure and polish takes about 5-6 days.

Is polished concrete environmentally friendly?

Yes, often polishing jobs are done on existing concrete which is made from the most common mineral on earth – limestone. Concrete is a very small contributor to greenhouse gases, and will out perform timber, steel, carpet and tiles.

What about cracks in the concrete?

Part of our grouting procedure can actually fill in small cracks, and if you choose a full polish the procedure actually hardens the top surface by up to 10 times its natural strength. If cracks do appear we can generally repair them. However it is concrete and that is the one thing we can never guarantee that is it won’t crack

Will it feel cold to walk on with bare feet?

This is a great question, because unlike tiles, can be extremely cold to touch, polished concrete does not feel cold. Due to the size of the slab it is a good insulator and therefore will feel much warmer than tiles to touch.

Does polished concrete save on lighting costs?

There has been studies stating that there is reduced electricity costs due to the reflectiveness of the surface.

Can you repair existing polished concrete floors?

Generally Yes. Mechanically full polished floors can be repaired in small areas, however with a grind and seal the entire areas usually need to be done to avoid different colours through the concrete.

Do you pour the slab?

No, Envirocoat specialises in the polishing or grinding, however we do have some concreters that we work closely with that we can recommend to you as it is very important to be involved with the right contractor from an early stage so the whole process

If I am pouring a new concrete slab, when is the best time for the concrete to be polished?

As a general rule the concrete should be cured for 28 days before we can do any grinding. Then we can do the polish all at once or in two stages. If we are to do it in one stage we come in after the frame is up and the roof is on. Or we can do it in two stages which requires us to come in and do an initial grind prior to the frame going up, then we put on a protective coating until works have been completed, then we remove the protective coating and polish up the floor.

Can I have polished concrete in wet areas?

Yes it is possible, but we would recommend doing a grind and seal instead of a full polish for a few reasons. With the grind and seal the topical sealant will be water tight so no water penetrates into the concrete and can also be made slip resistant if required.

Is polished concrete slippery?

Generally speaking it is no more slippery than other hard flooring surfaces. CGP recommend, for outdoor use, to do the grind and seal procedure. This way we can add an anti slip agent to the sealer. We can adapt the anti-slip to suit your needs.

Will my polished concrete stain if I spill something on it?

Envirocoat uses a sealer on all our finishes which prevents staining. However we do recommend that spills are cleaned up quickly.

How do I clean my polished concrete?

The best way to keep your polished concrete in good condition is to use a ph neutral cleaner followed by clean hot water for spills, most detergents and floor cleaners are fine just do not use any hard abrasive chemicals such as acids etc. If in doubt always do a test area first. Otherwise a microfiber mop will get rid of dust.

Epoxy Flooring

Is the floor slippery?

A flake system floor gives a texture feel to it and is normally no more slippery than regular concrete when wet. If you have a concern about slippage, we can add a slip resistant additive to the topcoats which will make the floor more skid resistant.

Can this be used outdoors as well as indoors?

Yes. Outdoor patios, paths and common areas

How long do I have to wait before I can walk or drive on the surface?

Depending on the time of year and temperature, you can normally walk on surface within 24 hours and drive on surface within 7 days.

How long does a typical installation take?

Most installations can be completed within 1 to 3 days depending on the coating system used.

How much does it cost?

Price will vary depending on square meters, amount of crack and concrete repair, and if there is an existing coating to remove. 

Won’t the repair work cause a lot of mess around my home or shop?

Our process utilizes a dustless grinding system and leaves very little mess.

How do I clean my new epoxy floor?

For a light cleaning just use a broom, dust mop, or leaf blower. Simple water applied with a mop works great for a deeper cleaning.

You’ll want to stay away from soaps because these leave a film, which, when wet, become very slippery.

Why might I choose a flake color over a solid color?

A major advantage of the flake system is that it does a good job hiding minor imperfections in the concrete. Since each flake color pattern incorporates many colors; you can select one that will go best with your décor and/or siding and window colors.

Is the epoxy floor very strong, what can damage it?

Yes, an epoxy floor is very strong and durable, but it can still be damaged mechanically or if the substrate (concrete underneath) were to be damaged. For example, if a heavy object like a sledge hammer were to be dropped on it or if you were to drag a heavy table with steel legs across it. An epoxy floor can be scratched just like regular concrete can be scratched. An epoxy floor will be very durable and last for years looking beautiful with reasonable care.

What is the warranty?

All residential applications have a two year limited warranty against peeling (delamination), and material defects.

Cracks and other repairs which give way due to the shifting of the substrate below are not warranted.

I have some small cracks and pits in my floor. What do you do with them?

We will repair the cracks and pop outs in your floor before we install the epoxy coating.
 

Why wouldn’t I just install a store bought epoxy product?

A professionally installed epoxy floor by a certified installer will give you a high quality and beautiful floor which will last. The most important part of any concrete surface application is surface preparation. We use top diamond grinding equipment with an environmentally safe vacuum system to collect hazardous concrete dust and contaminants. We also use only commercial/industrial grade epoxy products which are guaranteed and proven over thousands of square meters of concrete.

NEED MORE INFORMATION

Call 0466 896 780 or send us a message

One of our friendly staff will call or email you shortly and arrange a suitable time to give you a no obligation free quotation and discuss your flooring options.

General Enquiries:

M: 0466 896 780
E: admin@envirocoat.com.au (for all account enquiries)
E: steve@envirocoat.com.au (for all operation enquiries)
P: PO Box 1190, Robina DC Qld 4226