POLISHED CONCRETE TRAININGSESSION

Training Overview•Understanding polished concrete•Different applications and installation methods of polished concrete•Conventional flooring challenges•Benefits of polished concrete flooring•Floor system options•Specifications•Project coordination•Identifying qualified contractors

Sponsored By:

THE BENEFITS AND BEAUTYOF POLISHED CONCRETE

THE NEXT GENERATION OF FLOORING

a K & B FLOORING company

L&A CRYSTAL

lacrystal.com

With tighter budgets and less time and resources, the demand for creative solutions in both commercial and residential flooring is on the rise.

Cost effective solutions and low maintenance top the list of requirements. L & A Crystal offers a variety of options to fit your needs from large-

scale warehouses to detailed architectural designs with superior attention to detail on every project. We are The Next Generation of Flooring!

Polished ConcreteSuitable for old or new floors, polished concrete

has become a popular choice for commercial

and residential applications for both its high

performance, low maintenance and design options.

BENEFITS & PERFORMANCE• Cost-Effective . Reduces energy costs

through reflectivity, maintenance, up-keep and

long term ROI.

• Less Maintenance . No Waxing or stripping,

reduced time to clean and no harsh chemicals.

• Stain-Resistant . Repels water, oil and other

contaminants.

• Safe Flooring Option . Meets OSHA coefficient of friction requirements and is rated by the

National Floor Safety Institute as a “High

Traction” flooring system.

• Improved Reflectivity & Ambient Lighting.• LEED Friendly . Utilizes existing concrete

surfaces and eliminates additional materials

such as coverings/coatings. Typically contains

low/no VOC’s and can contribute points toward

LEED NC and EB project certification.

Custom solutions to fit your needsDESIGN OPTIONS• Colored . Utilize one or multiple color options.

• Natural . Highlight the natural colors and tones.

• Decorative Saw Cutting . Allows for additional

design variations.

• Small to Large Aggregate . Highlights the

beauty of the natural colored aggregate found in

concrete.

• Low to High Sheen . Polish to the level of

reflectivity you are looking for.

Schools

UNLIMITED DECORATIVE OPTIONSFaith-Based/Religious FacilitiesLogos & Floor Graphics

Floor Coatings & Joint FillingEnhance the look and performance of your floor with commercial coatings. This solution is ideal for environments where concrete needs additional protection from various activities and operations that could potentially damage the surface. Industrial coating systems are moisture and chemical resistant, easy to maintain, highly durable and can be decorative.

• Epoxy, urethane, polyaspartic and other multiple-component coating systems• Polyurea, silicone, urethane and epoxy joint fillers.

Before

After

Industrial Warehouse Spaces

Floor Restoration & PreparationUsing our purpose built equipment, we can prepare your concrete substrate by removing existing carpet, VCT, sheet vinyl, rubber, resinous coatings and adhesives for new flooring product installation. If you need help with floor leveling or concrete topping products, we can provide that service too.

Decorative Logos & GraphicsPersonalize your space with your logos and graphics. We can create a design specific to your company utilizing colors and polishing techniques.

TOUGH INDUSTRIAL FLOORSIndustrial/Manufacturing (Epoxy) Industrial/Manufacturing (Polished Concrete) Mechanical Terrazzo Restoration

L & A Crystala K & B Flooring CompanyToll Free: 877.744.2778Office: 262.242.5757Fax: 262.512.0393

10903 N Industrial DriveMequon, WI 53092

Email: info@lacrystal.com

L & A Crystal was established in 1995, focusing on efficient and cost effective flooring options where you work, play and live. Whether utilized for its durability and low maintenance or as a design element, our team of professional craftsman can transform your floor in commercial, industrial and institutional applications. From industrial spaces to retail establishments, office buildings, schools, sports facilities, museums and more...We are your custom flooring solution!

For more information or for a quote, contact us at 877.744.2778 or info@lacrystal.com.

lacrystal.com

Your flooring needs...solved

Museums & Public Buildings State of the Art Industrial Equipment

Corporate Facilities Retail Spaces

TRAINING OVERVIEW

What is Polished Concrete?

Different Applications of Polished Concrete

Problems with Conventional Flooring

Benefits of Polished Concrete-A Summary

Floor System Options

WHAT IS POLISHED CONCRETE?Polished concrete is a process which enhances the natural beauty of existing concrete by hardening and polishing the concrete. There are two primary methods to creating this shine: Topical or Mechanical. The aesthetic value of these two processes are not equal, and it is important that customers understand this.

•A Topical Polish is an inexpensive process that will give the surface of the concrete a smooth, sealed appearance. The concrete will retain it’s course texture, and any inconsistencies in the surface will remain visible.

•A Mechanical Polish will grind and seal the surface of the concrete, giving the appearance of a rich stone-like finish with a deep sheen luster. The surface will be flattened, and ground smooth to remove any course texture or ridges.

MECHANICAL POLISHING

• A mechanical grinding and polishing process that utilizes industrial diamond tools and penetrating chemical hardeners to level, densify, polish & seal the concrete floor surface.

• Mechanical polishing offers clients a deep, rich luster finish, a flattened surface, and a glossy appearance.

MECHANICAL POLISHINGSummary of Benefits-Mechanical Polishing• Competitive first cost• Low annual maintenance cost• Low life cycle cost• Ideal for new construction or restoration projects• Little down time during installation• High traction• Environmentally friendly• Longevity• Colored concrete options• LEED(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building

Rating System points toward certification

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH CONVENTIONAL FLOORING SYSTEMS

• Dusting/Efflorescence

• Hydrostatic Pressure

• Spills and Stains

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH CONVENTIONAL FLOORING SYSTEMS

• Coating Failures

• Vinyl Composition Tile Failure

• Down Time During Installation

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH CONVENTIONAL FLOORING SYSTEMS

• Constant Abrasions

• Delamination/Spalling

• Coefficient of Friction

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH CONVENTIONAL FLOORING SYSTEMS

• High Maintenance

• Recurring Expenses

BENEFITS OF POLISHED CONCRETE

BENEFITS OF POLISHED CONCRETEElimination of Dusting from EfflorescenceIn ordinary unpolished concrete, tiny particles of dust are pushed to the surface through an upward force called efflorescence. Dusting forces epoxies off of the surface of concrete floors, and can make maintenance a costly priority.

Stain-Resistant By densifying the surface, polished concrete transforms a porous concrete floor into a tightened surface dense enough to repel water, oil, and other contaminants, preventing them from penetrating the surface.

Improved Reflectivity and Ambient Lighting.The reflective properties of a polished concrete floor increases the light levels in your facility, which can lead to reduced energy bills through lower lighting levels and reduced HVAC loads.

BENEFITS OF POLISHED CONCRETEIncreased Slip Resistance Polished concrete, though quite shiny, does not create a slippery floor. In fact, the benefits of mechanically grinding and flattening the floor will increase the coefficient of friction more than ordinary concrete. Polished Concrete often exceeds OSHA standards for floors. (ASTM C 1028)

Less Maintenance. Most floor systems, including tile and linoleum, require aggressive scrubbing to maintain a clean environment. Polished concrete surfaces are tightly compacted, reducing stains, and do not require waxing or stripping to maintain the sheen.

Cost-EffectivePolished concrete will reduce energy and maintenance costs significantly through improved reflectivity, reduction in upkeep (such as waxing), and reduced tire wear.

BENEFITS OF POLISHED CONCRETELEED(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Polished concrete not only utilizes existing concrete surfaces, eliminating additional materials such as coverings/coatings and moving towards sustainable building, it also contains no noticeable VOC’s, making it a candidate for points in the LEED Green Building Rating System certification process.

Improved condition for old floors. (Mechanical Polish Only)As concrete ages, surface stress, delamination, curled cold joints, and other problems can arise, making for an unsightly floor. Mechanically grinding the floor will remove the top part of the surface of the old concrete floor and polishing will then harden it, strengthening old, deteriorating, weak concrete, as well as increasing it’s impact and abrasion resistance.

Reduced Tire Wear (Mechanical Polish Only)The rough, uneven texture of natural concrete causes tires to abrade, adding to their wear. A polished concrete floor system will level the joints and make the entire surface smooth, preventing this abrasion.

BENEFITS OF POLISHED CONCRETE

No Production/Plant Shutdowns . (Dry-Polish Mechanical Only)Dry-Mechanically polished concrete can be put into service immediately after the process is complete. Due to the cleanliness of the process and the lack of toxic or hazardous chemicals, floors can often be serviced while the plant is in full production.

FLOOR SYSTEM OPTIONSOVERVIEW

• Sheen LevelMatte SheenLow SheenHigh SheenGlossy Shine

• Aggregate Preference: Cream (very little stone), Small (small stone), Large (aggressive grind down to large aggregate)

• Color Choice: There are hundreds of color choices on the market, and most flooring contractors can order specialty colors

• Sealants

• Saw Cuts

• Borders

MECHANICAL SHEEN OPTIONS:

MECHANICAL: MEDIUM SHEEN800grit grind and polish

MECHANICAL: GLOSSY SHINE3000grit grind and polish

DECORATIVE OPTIONS

Cream Finish

Small Aggregate Finish (Salt and Pepper)

Large Aggregate Finish

DECORATIVE OPTIONS: AGGREGATE EXPOSURE

DECORATIVE OPTIONS: COLORS

DECORATIVE OPTIONS: SAW CUTS

DECORATIVE OPTIONS:LOGOS

QUICK SPEC…• -Straight bag mix• -Max 15% Fly Ash• -Vibratory screed to drive air out• -No add mixtures other than standard water reducer• -No fibers• -No more than 3 passes with power trowel • -Poly blades work great (if possible)• -Avoid burn marks• -Floor flatness of 40 or more *avoid waves, high and low spots*• -Try to avoid curling/sloping along wall edges as this will create

issues during install and hinder the look of the finished floor• -Cure and seal – Dissipating cure *avoid heavy

application/more material than necessary and avoid puddles*• -Or wet cure *Ideal*

COORDINATING YOUR POLISHED CONCRETE PROJECT

• To offer clients the best pricing and end result, plan for the concrete polish to occur BEFORE the interior walls and fixtures are in place whenever possible.

• Consider edging options (border striping, hand tooling, covered cove, etc) to ensure work is sequenced properly.

• The final polish is dependent upon the flatwork that proceeds it. To prevent problems, work with the General Contractor to ensure your specification is closely followed.

• Choosing polished concrete as a finished floor can affect lighting due to increased light reflectivity.

LOCATING A QUALIFIED POLISHER

Things to consider:• Years of specific *Concrete Polishing* industry experience• Industry specific references • Experience in both new construction & restoration work• Craftsman certifications and qualifications• Capability to handle project size & schedule• Experience with decorative polishing *Color Designs,

Decorative Saw Cutting, Logos, Etc…*• Type of equipment and process utilized • Polishing methods *especially important for ‘green’

projects!*

THANK YOU!