Sanding concrete is possible, although regular sandpaper won’t be enough to complete the job. Ceramic and aluminum oxide can help create a smooth finish, but it will require a longer amount of time and more effort. If you’re looking for a better way to sand your concrete surface, consider using diamond sanding or polishing pads….
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Sanding a concrete surface by hand is possible, although the task may require effort. Diamond polishing pads are particularly effective for this application since their hardy diamond-encrusted surface is highly resistant to wear, allowing them to cut through tough concrete. To get the highest quality results, it’s recommended to start with coarse grit and then…
02
Jan
Jan
Do you want to learn how to polish concrete? Grinding a floor down to improve its look isn’t as hard as it can seem at first, though it does take some time to do correctly. In this guide, you’ll learn about the tools and the process for polishing concrete, then get answers to some common…
The best way to make concrete shine like glass is by polishing it to a sufficiently fine grit, normally 3000. Some kits offer even higher grits, like 6000, but that’s excessive for most locations. 3000 grit is usually enough for an impressively sharp and reflective surface.
Yes, you can polish old concrete, and this is one of the most effective ways of restoring its appearance. However, polishing old concrete has some challenges that you rarely see in newer concrete. In most cases, old concrete was leveled by hand, which can leave inconsistencies in depth. Older concrete may also be of lower…
No. While most people associate highly-reflective floors with low traction and slippery tendencies, polished concrete is naturally slip-resistant. It has a naturally high coefficient of friction, meeting or exceeding national standards. In simple terms, most people express the coefficient of friction as a decimal between 0 and 1, representing what percent of weight is converted…
No. While all flooring requires some maintenance, polished concrete does well with regular dusting and the occasional mopping to remove smudges and scuff marks. Polished concrete in high-traffic areas may need professional maintenance every few years. Compared to other flooring options, polished concrete is a low-maintenance choice and easier for most people to keep in…
Polishing concrete produces a lot of hazardous dust, and you have your choice of wet and dry options to control this. Wet polishing is usually faster and produces good results, but also produces a lot of toxic slurries that you need to store and dispose of correctly. Professionals have the equipment to handle this, but…
01
Jan
Jan
Concrete is the most versatile building material accounting for the lion’s share of square footage in the skies and on the ground for construction projects. However, despite advancements in construction and engineering, there is currently no indestructible concrete. If you have concrete slabs lining your patio, driveway, or pavement, you might come across sunken spots…
If the concrete slab is not damaged, it is much cheaper to mud jack it than to complete a concrete replacement. Mudjacking requires less labor, material, and time making it the more cost-effective option. However, concrete slab replacement might be the only viable option in case of adverse concrete damage.
09
Nov
Nov
Do you have unattractive oil marks on the concrete around your house? Does your automobile leak oil and leave unsightly spots on the driveway or garage floor? If you’re sick of staring at the oil-stained concrete surrounding your house, take action and discover how to effectively eliminate stains from concrete with several simple ingredients and…
It’s a common misconception that oil stains on concrete are impossible to remove. They could be difficult to eliminate, particularly if they have been present for some time but are not permanent. If a homeowner’s attempts to eliminate oil stains from their concrete garage or driveway were unsuccessful, they could give up and accept the…
If oil spills onto your concrete, remove as much of it as possible immediately. The oil stains are easiest to eliminate immediately following the oil spill before the oil penetrates and hardens into the concrete or extends over a larger surface region. If the spillage is minor, less than 6 inches in diameter, it should…
27
Oct
Oct
Ceramic tiles are a great way to add some color and life to your floors. They are perfect for replacing your previous flooring when you’re renovating, or simply for going over old concrete flooring, and look great both indoors and outdoors. From your kitchen to your garden, ceramic tiles are perfect for covering up a…
25
Jun
Jun
One Airport Square in Accra, Ghana uses an innovative brise soleil of concrete to let light in while keeping heat out, which greatly reduces the cost of cooling.
09
Mar
Mar
Yes, you read the title correctly – reversible concrete! It seems like an oxymoron – concrete is known for its stability and strength, and its permanence. Well, not anymore! Last October at the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Self-Assembly Lab at MIT and Gramazio Kohler Research of ETH Zurich showed off a process that might finally one-up…
23
Jun
Jun
A new company in Portland, Oregon is gearing up to manufacture large quantities of the latest product in the ICF (insulated concrete forms) world. Â BluBloc offers a twist on standard ICF products – it uses recycled styrofoam instead of manufacturing new for use in the forms. BluBloc is 85% recycled polystyrene foam (styrofoam) and…
11
Jul
Jul
This post is part of the Green Materials Report series. GBE is providing information on various building materials and what makes them green. Each post focuses on one material. We will be looking at the ingredients in the material, how it is used, what makes it green, and any green product certifications that it has earned. We…