POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORS
Concrete polishing transforms ordinary concrete into a beautiful, glossy, low maintenance surface that will last for years even in high traffic areas. Whether it’s a retail, industrial, commercial, institutional or residential floor, polished concrete is the most cost-effective, long term, beautiful flooring available today.
POLISHED CONCRETE IS GREAT FOR FINISHED BASEMENTS…
Homeowners who have full or partial basements that can be transformed into living space are essentially sitting on a goldmine. Realtor surveys show that finishing a basement ranks just behind kitchen and bathroom renovations in maximizing the return on the homeowner’s investment, with the payback sometimes exceeding the remodeling expenditure. What’s more, expanding the living space into the basement is often much more economical than adding another room or floor onto an existing home.
With an average annual rainfall of 40 inches, Portland is known for it’s leaky basements. No need to worry about water damage with these hard working floors. Just mop or vacuum up the water and you’re done! And don’t worry about difficult access, Alternative Edge has polishing machines specifically designed to get down tight stair wells and into your basement.
RESIDENTIAL POLISHED FLOOR BENEFITS
COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL FLOOR BENEFITS
COST SAVINGS
Using the slab on grade as the finished floor surface is more cost effective and maintenance costs are lower(see chart below).
MORE RESISTANT TO HIGH FOOT TRAFFIC
In some cases retail stores are able to maintain primarily just the traffic ways within the store, which saves time and money because they do not have to move large display cases to wax and strip the floor.
IS A SUSTAINABLE FLOORING ALTERNATIVE
LESS MAINTENANCE AND LONGER SERVICE LIFE
Polished floors are easy to clean, requiring only occasional damp mopping. they also eliminate the need for messy waxes or coatings as well as the associated labor, time, and expense to apply them. the glossy surface of polished concrete resists the marks of forklift truck tires and staining from oil and chemical spills.
RESISTANT TO MOISTURE TRANSMISSION ISSUES
Polished concrete allows the floor to breathe and eliminates issues that arise with other flooring materials that seal off the concrete, such as tile, etc.
HIGH LIGHT REFLECTIVITY
Important for office building floors, hotels, restaurants, and other public facilities that want to project a bright, clean, professional image. also saves energy by reducing artificial lighting requirements
Compare Installation and Maintenance Costs for Polished Concrete in Commercial and Industrial Applications
Based on a survey conducted by the National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association, the information below compares the cost per square foot of commonly used commercial flooring materials and polished concrete floors. This recent examination of flooring costs over a 20 year span illustrates not only some of the hidden costs involved in the purchase and installation of various materials, it also illustrates the dramatic difference in the cost of these materials.
| Cost per Square Foot | Installed Cost | Annual Maintenance | Average Life Span | Replacement Cost | Sf Cost per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl Sheet Flooring | $2.72 | $1.39 | 9 years | $3.43 | $1.91 |
| Vinyl Tile Flooring | $1.23 | $1.47 | 15 years | $1.60 | $1.64 |
| Ceramic Mosaic Tile | $6.48 | $1.22 | 20 years | $1.54 | |
| Quarry Tile | $5.78 | $0.58 | 20 years | $1.51 | |
| Cement Terrazzo | $8.50 | $0.46 | 20 years | $1.01 | |
| Granit-Glaze | $6.50 | $0.46 | 20 years | $0.79 | |
| Polished Concrete | $3.98* | $0.00 | 30 years | $0.19 | |
| Cost per Square Foot | Installed Cost | Annual Maintenance | Average Life Span | Replacement Cost | Sf Cost per Year |
Note:*Comparative costs based on 10,000 square feet. Your costs may vary based on square footage, preparation needs, coloring, etc
Add Some Color
to Your Floor
Using colored dyes and acids to stain concrete floors is a process that transforms an ordinary concrete slab into a luxurious floor that resembles marble or glazed stone at a fraction of the cost. It is permanent unlike paint or coatings. Acid stains have a mottled, variagated look and come in a variety of different shades and colors. If a custom touch is desired, dyes and stencils can be used to create beautiful patterns and designs. Whether you seek a Tuscan, Southwestern, contemporary, architectural, Old World or more traditional style, acid stained concrete makes a stunning flooring choice. As for it’s aesthetic quality and green building advantages, stained concrete has become a preferred flooring choice in many luxury homes and upscale businesses.
