Belfast Polished Concrete Flooring (BT1): Once pretty much limited to garages, cellars and commercial premises, polished concrete flooring is now being commonly used in residential Belfast houses. Its aesthetic appeal has been elevated recently by the advanced ability to stain and seal the concrete mixture, meaning that, much less expensively, it can compete with the once most popular stone flooring alternatives such as marble, granite and slate. Consequently a host of benefits and solutions can be enjoyed by building contractors and renovation specialists in relation to polished concrete.
One of the most obvious advantages of polished concrete flooring surfaces in these days of environmental responsibility is the sustainability factor. Having a relatively low effect on the environment is a key feature of sealed and polished concrete. Mostly, no extra flooring materials will be necessary, since the current base of concrete (where there is one) can just be sanded down, sealed and polished, saving time and expense. The internal air quality and the external environment is not damaged by the procedure, as very few chemical vapours given off by the substances used in polished concrete floors. An additional bonus is that there isn't any long lasting odour emitted by the concrete polishing and sealing compounds and substances.
Concrete flooring also offers great value for your money. For some time concrete has stood out as the most cost effective available flooring option. Since most homes in Belfast are actually built upon huge lumps of concrete, the main floor foundation is already there. The more exposed floor coverings of carpet, tiling, vinyl and timber are simply laid over it. In essence you are only covering up what might be your actual finished floor surface. The requirement for expensive air-conditioning will also be lowered since polished concrete remains cool even on the warmest summer's days. A home's interior lighting costs can additionally be lowered by the highly reflective properties of polished concrete flooring.
Polished concrete is appeaing because it requires little maintenance, a big selling point. Routine cleaning is essential with most traditional floor coverings. As an example carpeting and rugs need frequent vacuuming, wooden floor boards need to be waxed and polished and marble flooring is susceptible to scuffing and needs specific chemical cleansers. In stark contrast a polished concrete floor is highly immune to scuffing and staining, and usually only requires a quick mopping. As well as the additional convenience and practicalities of this, money and hard work might also be saved.
There is no question that one of the key merits of a concrete floor is the durability element. Some of Belfast's most durable floors are made of concrete. The probable lifespan of a correctly treated concrete floor is in the region of 100 years or more. Those individuals in the know have long been aware of this fact and have regularly made use of this form of floor surface for high-footfall areas in Belfast such as gyms, bars, community centres, retail outlets, factories and council buildings. There are hardly ever any troubles with decay and moisture damage because a concrete floor can "breathe". Various other styles of floor coverings like vinyl or tiles can often trap moisture, causing expensive repairs and replacements.
Perhaps one of the least apparent benefits of concrete flooring, is the health aspect. Allergies and problems with breathing are known to be triggered by dust mites and dust. Tiles and wooden floorboards with their joints and cut-outs and carpets with their long fibres are prime locations for mould, bacteria and viruses. The plus point with polished concrete flooring is that the final finished surfaces are seamless and there is nowhere for such unwelcome visitors to lurk. If you are looking for "allergy-free" surroundings then polished concrete floors are clearly the best choice.
Many possibilities are open to homeowners in Belfast, as concrete is an extremely adaptable material. To arrive at the sought after visual appearance, there are a great many treatments that can be employed. The traditional "wet" look, for instance, can be produced by means of silicon based sealers which penetrate deeply into the concrete. A popular style for polished concrete flooring is the faux tile pattern, making it appear like a tiled floor. If the chosen effect is floorboards a wood plank design can be stamped in the concrete. Outstanding patterns are obtained by diamond grinding a concrete floor to expose cross sections of the aggregate stones.
Polished concreting is available in Belfast and also in nearby places like: Greenisland, Hannahstown, Finaghy, Gilnahirk, Dundonald, Lambeg, Dunmurry, Whiteabbey, Andersontown, Dundrod, Drumbeg, Strandtown, Moneyreagh, Ballygowan, Ballyskeagh, Milltown, Upper Galwally, and in these postcodes: BT1 1AL, BT1 1DL, BT1 2AD, BT1 1EX, BT1 2NH, BT1 1QE, BT1 1XY, BT1 2LY, BT1 1LS, and BT1 1DJ. Local Belfast concrete polishers will probably have the telephone dialling code 028 and the postcode BT1. Checking this will ensure you access local providers of polished concrete flooring. Belfast property owners will be able to utilise these and lots of other comparable services. Click on the "Quote" banner to get polished concrete flooring estimates.
Staining Concrete Floors
Staining a concrete floor is an affordable method to enhance the look and feel of a space. With a variety of colours to choose from, concrete stains offer a lasting, polished look that can revamp the appearance of your floors.
It's vital to clean and repair any cracks or damage on the concrete surface before commencing the staining process. It is of utmost importance to defend the neighboring zones with plastic sheeting or tape to prevent any unintentional discolouration.
After adequately preparing the surface, apply the stain in thin, uniform coats using either a brush or sprayer. Small sections are the way to go for a smooth and uniform result, blending each one into the next for consistency.
After the stain has dried completely, a sealer should be applied to protect the surface and enhance the colour. Properly maintained, a stained concrete floor can serve as a durable and stylish surface for a number of years. To maximize the lifespan of a stained concrete floor, it's essential to conduct routine cleaning and maintenance. This entails vacuuming or sweeping frequently, wiping up spills immediately, and avoiding using cleaning agents that can harm the surface.
Polished Concrete Tiles Belfast
The understated elegance and luxury of polished concrete tiles have recently become more popular in modern buildings in Belfast. Polished concrete tiles can be used on floors and walls where their durability and looks are ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and other hard wearing environments. A wall of polished concrete can look breathtaking when accented with subtle lighting.
Whichever design scheme and decor you may be planning, there is a polished concrete tile to suit; from brilliant white or dark granite natural finishes, to attractive colours to showcase your own individuality. The tiles can be fashioned to any shape and design, feature bold centre-pieces or have varied textures to create an interesting focal point for any room. (Tags: Polished Concrete Wall Tiles Belfast, Polished Concrete Floor Tiles Belfast, Polished Concrete Tiles Belfast)
Concrete Polishing Machinery Belfast
Polished concrete is achieved through the use of specialised machinery and diamond abrasive disks. On account of the cost and expertise required it's not advisable for you to do it yourself, instead opt for an established concrete polishing contractor to undertake the job. To give you a notion of what is required, here's the essential equipment and work steps for a simple project;
Diamond Segmented Abrasives - You will need various levels of grit up to 3,000. Basically, 16 grit abrasives are very harsh, while 3,000 grit abrasives are exceptionally fine. Coarser grits are used to remove any small imperfections in the surface of the concrete, before finer levels are used to smooth out any scratches revealing a highly polished final surface.
Concrete Filler - The surface of the concrete has to be as free from cracks and indents as is possible, and a concrete filler needs to be applied before any actual polishing work can occur. You might even have to spread a layer of concrete screed on bad surfaces.
Chemical Hardener - As soon as the first stage of polishing has been done, and the dirt and dust removed, a chemical hardener (or densifier) is applied which soaks into the concrete surface. This chemical hardener penetrates the concrete and produces a superior surface on which to do the final polishing.
Floor Polisher - The heavy and expensive equipment which is essential for any polishing project. A bigger polishing machine can cover surfaces quickly, but it could struggle in corners or narrow spaces.
Polished Concrete Finishes Belfast
You'll be able to create a stylish and distinctive look for your home or business in Belfast by utilising the huge selection of polished concrete finishes that are available. There are many different ways of creating a floor which blend perfectly with your interior design goals. No matter whether you are polishing an existing floor, or starting from the very beginning, there are many variables for giving your floor that perfect finish.
Regardless of the methods and finishes you employ, every polished concrete floor in Belfast is unique. The location and source of the aggregate, materials and sand used on your floor will have an impact on the way your floor looks, so even your property's location can have an impact on it's appearance. Essentially, bronze polished concrete, silver (or full aggregate) polished concrete flooring, gold polished concrete flooring, and platinum finishes, are the main polished concrete finishes. By altering the degree of grind, applying stained concrete overlays and using different forms of aggregate, various different surface finishes can be accomplished.
Granolithic Concrete Flooring Belfast
The type of flooring material that is often known as granolithic concrete (or granolithic screed) is made from a combination of concrete and a gritty aggregate compound. The aggregate compound may comprise of marble chips, granite or some other wear-resistent rock, giving it a resilient consistency. The floor surface that results can be buffed up to a high gloss, and is much stronger and durable than traditional concrete, as well as being far more pleasing visually.
This kind of floor is especially suitable for areas that endure high amounts of use and stress such as with sidewalks, factory floors and industrial settings in Belfast. The preparation and finishing of granolithic concrete requires a considerable amount of skill so as to avoid the kind of cracking and curling that can take place.
As with all manner of things nowadays, there are an array of interesting You Tube videos on the subject of polished concrete flooring, so if you are interested in seeing concrete polishers in action take a peek at this.
Belfast Polished Concrete Questions
Over the last few weeks I've been mulling over the most common questions that home owners in Belfast ask in regard to polished concrete. Several of our web visitors have emailed understandable questions that I considered to be applicable to this post. The ones I picked out were, "How much are polished concrete countertops?" "Can you put polished concrete over tiles?" "Is polished concrete floor cold?" "How long does polished concrete take to dry?" "Do polished concrete floors need to be sealed?", and "How do you clean polished concrete floors?" We hope most of these queries have been answered in this blog post, and if not a polished concrete "Q&A" feature is the next thing on our agenda. My thanks go out to Dominic Algar, Bailey Doran, Rick Cowley and Riley Currie, for taking the trouble to pose their questions. We were also grateful to get appropriate questions from Preston Pallett in Dunmurry, Deanna Baldwin in Finaghy and Maverick Ramsay in Dundrod.
Related Tasks
Local Belfast concrete polishers should be able to help to with restaurant floors, residential polished concrete, anti-static flooring, exposed aggregate floors, power floating, textured concrete flooring, roof screed, concrete repairs Belfast, dry shake toppings, microcement bathrooms, concrete sealing, polished concrete for kitchen floors, polished concrete flooring for schools, imprinted concrete floors, industrial polished flooring in Belfast, bar floors, granolithic concrete floors, concreting quotations, granolithic screeding, concrete floors Belfast, factory floors, cement flooring in Belfast, cheap polished concrete, polished concrete, concrete overlays, polished concrete for bathrooms Belfast, concrete finishing, polished concrete floors, concrete slab flooring, polished concrete patios, and plenty of other concrete related tasks in Belfast. Local Belfast concrete polishers will likely have the telephone dialling code 028 and the postcode BT1. Listed are just some of the activities that are handled by those installing polished concrete. Belfast providers will be happy to inform you of their whole range of concrete flooring services.
Polished Concrete Near Me
Also find: Hannahstown concrete flooring, Whiteabbey concrete flooring, Andersontown concrete flooring, Lambeg concrete flooring, Finaghy concrete flooring, Upper Galwally concrete flooring, Dunmurry concrete flooring, Milltown concrete flooring, Greenisland concrete flooring, Dundrod concrete flooring, Strandtown concrete flooring, Ballyskeagh concrete flooring, Gilnahirk concrete flooring, Moneyreagh concrete flooring, Ballygowan concrete flooring, Dundonald concrete flooring, Drumbeg concrete flooring and more. All of these areas are served by firms who do polished concrete flooring. Custom solutions and expert advice are offered by these companies, guaranteeing that each customer's individual requirements and style preferences are met with a perfectly suited flooring solution. Residents in the area can get quotes by going here.
Belfast Polished Concrete Services
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More Belfast Flooring Services
Obviously, when you are doing concrete flooring in Belfast, Northern Ireland, you are likely to be in need of some additional services and aside from a concreting specialist in Belfast, Northern Ireland, you may additionally need driveway cleaning in Belfast, concrete paving in Belfast, slab paving in Belfast, carpet fitters in Belfast, rubber flooring in Belfast, floorers in Belfast, concrete driveways in Belfast, Indian stone paving in Belfast, underfloor heating in Belfast, screeders in Belfast, wooden decking in Belfast, SKIP HIRE in Belfast, tilers in Belfast, and other different Belfast flooring specialists.
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Polished Concrete in BT1 area, 028.
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