How Much Does It Cost To Install Polished Concrete Floors?
There is nothing appealing about the regular grey-colored concrete floors typical in warehouses or older homes. While they serve their purpose, these cold surfaces contribute very little to a home's overall aesthetics. On the other hand, polished concrete floors offer endless possibilities in terms of style, color, beauty, and texture to any space. This new style is common in contemporary commercial and residential settings thanks to the versatility in style and also other advantages like ease of maintenance.
Getting new flooring in your house is a relatively large project that sets you back a significant amount to install. But how much does it cost to get polished concrete floors? According to Concrete Network, the average cost of installing basic concrete flooring ranges from $2 to $6 for every square foot, while high-end designs cost between $15 to $30 for a beautiful customized floor. Of course, plenty of factors go into the installation cost that we will discuss below.
Factors for cost
As mentioned before, plenty of aspects could increase or reduce the cost of installing polished concrete floors. However, it is worth mentioning that while some factors like the type of finish might be in your control, other elements like the current condition of your floors will be completely out of your scope. Blackrock Industrial has a detailed rundown of some of the significant points to consider when installing polished floors.
Condition of the existing concrete
If the existing concrete slab has significant damage to the surface — for instance, holes and cracks — these blemishes need to be fixed before installing the new polished concrete. The extent of the patch-up repairs will also determine how much you end up paying for the job. You should also keep in mind that there are different products for the different types of floor damage, each coming with additional cost implications. The average cost of floor repairs costs roughly between $0.50 to $2.00 for every square foot. However, if the damage is extensive and the entire floor needs total resurfacing, then this will set you back an extra $4.00 to $10.00 for every square foot.
The size and shape
It goes without saying that the size of the project will determine how much the entire job will ultimately cost. However, with the installation of polished floors, larger floor surfaces often have a lower installation cost per square foot. Also, the shape of that particular floor determines the complexity of the installation task. For example, large open spaces with no corners and curves are relatively easier to work with using industrial equipment. In contrast, smaller floor spaces with plenty of curves will require polishing by hand, which takes longer, increasing the project's overall scope.
Level of polish
Depending on personal desires, several types of polishes, i.e., finishes, can be achieved. More shine or reflection on your floors directly translates to more labor and time that always costs more at the end of the day. Although to bring this closer to home, warehouses often don't require high-end polishing; a simple 400-grit polish is enough to achieve a matte finish ideal for such establishments. On the other hand, malls and other similar establishments require a highly reflective 1500-grit polish.
Style
There are a variety of designs that give customizable options as far as polish and color are concerned. However, similar to most other things, elaborate and complex design patterns will definitely cost you more. In order to get ahead of the situation, you must be aware of your desired design and get quotes from different contractors for a cost comparison.
Additional costs
Other than the four main cost factors for installing polished floors, there are other additional expenses that you should be aware of.
Number of rooms
Concrete Network notes that more rooms mean more work as there are more curves, corners, and uneven surfaces. Installing polished concrete floors in a home with plenty of rooms will require the use of smaller equipment that takes longer and also costs more.
Obstacles
Different houses with the same floor size may have minor differences that may raise or lower the cost of installing polished concrete floors. Obstacles in the house may be in the form of cabinetry, several doors, and flights of stairs, among many others. Such obstacles present difficulties during installation that will increase the project's complexity and, consequently, the overall cost of labor (per Concrete Network).
Removing old flooring
If the condition of the existing floor is too bad to be repaired, it has to go to pave the way for a brand new floor. Removing the existing flooring is an extra cost that you might not have anticipated. According to Hometown Demolition, the cost of removing existing flooring ranges from $0.25 to $0.50 per sq. ft. Determine from your contractor if the cost is inclusive of disposal fees as well. If not, you will have to hire a separate team for this.
Types of polished concrete floors
Homeowners have four major options when it comes to choosing the type of concrete floor finishes. Each option offers a different type of aesthetic appeal that will leave your house with a contemporary vibe. Here are the available options, as noted by Glossy Floors.
The cream finish
This is one of the most popular finishes for most homeowners because it is a less expensive option than the rest. The creamy finish is achieved by polishing the top surface with diamond pads that expose the aggregate ever so slightly. For a cream finish, you need a strong slab with minimal surface damage or uneven floors; otherwise, the floor needs grinding to fix the problem.
Large aggregate polish
The process requires a deep grinding process of up to 1/4 inches cuts. This intense polishing process produces the most durable finishes you can get. The purpose of grinding back to a depth of 1/4 inches is to expose the large aggregates in the concrete slab. For new floors, polishing begins as early as three days after pouring the slab mixture. The top surface is grounded back to the depth that allows the exposure of the large aggregates of the slab. This style of polishing is not exclusive only to new concrete slabs; more aggressive grinding options are applied to existing floors in order to get to the large aggregates.
Salt and pepper finish
This option is necessary to achieve a unique pattern of fine aggregates on your floors. The grinding process is not as aggressive as the large aggregate finish since it only cuts back the slab to a depth of 1/16 inches. Since the surface depth cut is small, the concrete finisher's workmanship will determine the polish's outcome. A leveled concrete means a consistent exposure of the fine aggregates. Poor workmanship that results in uneven floors will mean an inconsistent finish featuring larger aggregate exposure on random places on the floor.
Medium aggregate exposure
In order to expose the medium aggregates on the floor, the concrete surface needs to be ground back to a depth of 1/8 inches. For a brand new concrete slab, the grinding process needs to start within seven days of pouring the concrete.
Why do you need to install polished concrete?
There is no denying that a nice floor is a delight to the eyes, and you shouldn't skip on the chance of giving your home the much-needed upgrade. Here are a couple of reasons to get that polished concrete floor.
Environmental friendly
Polished concrete is a great flooring option if you are conscious of the environment. When broken to bare bones, concrete is essentially sand, water, and stone that are all-natural materials. Also, there is no need to use toxic coating materials for this flooring type.
Improve aesthetic appeal
Polished concrete floors with different colors and finishes will leave your home with a refreshing, classy, and smooth finish that you will be proud of. There are several types of finishes, from cheaper options to high-end finishes, which are even more impressive for homes and commercial settings alike. So choose your pick and give your home a breath of fresh air, Black Bear Coatings & Concrete recommends.
Benefits of polished concrete floors
There are plenty of benefits that come with the polished concrete installation, so it's no surprise that these floors are a popular option for both residential and commercial spaces. Let's discuss a few as detailed by Ardor Solutions.
Stain and spill resistance
Unlike other floor materials like vinyl, a polished concrete floor is quite resistant to several chemicals that would otherwise result in staining. Although caustic substances can cause smearing on polished floors, sealants and other coating additives offer additional protection to this type of floor.
Cost-effective
Going the concrete way is among the cheapest flooring options there are today. While polishing will increase the cost, it still remains a relatively cheaper option to add style to your home. What's more, the reflective nature of concrete floors will improve the overall lighting in facilities and reduce maintenance, hence cutting costs and energy bills down the line.
Quick install
When considering upgrading your home flooring, you don't want an option that will leave your home inhabitable for weeks. Luckily, installing polished concrete is relatively fast, which means you will get back to your normal routine soon enough (per Black Bear Coatings & Concrete).