Concrete polishing
Concrete polishing in San Diego
Ground and polished concrete floors for homes and businesses across Southern California. Polished floors are durable, simple to keep clean and need only an occasional wet mopping.
Overview
A polished floor that lasts and is easy to care for
Polished concrete flooring extends the life of a floor and removes the need to cover up stains, dents or chipping. Regularly polished floors have a longer service life and do not collect dust easily, and they are simple to keep clean with an occasional wet mopping.
Grinding and polishing restores concrete that has changed shape through age and weathering, and it brings back a smooth surface where spalling and chipping have started. With the help of a local concrete polishing team, regular gray concrete can become a smooth, reflective floor.
For a different look, polishing can be combined with our other services, such as concrete staining and concrete overlays.
Concrete polishing services
Seven specialties under one family
From surface preparation to decorative color and protection, each service has its own page with more detail.
Acid StainingDecorative stain applied after the concrete is cleaned or ground, to change the color of the floor.Learn about Acid Staining
Concrete GrindingSmooths existing concrete floors so they can be polished to a high gloss.Learn about Concrete Grinding
Concrete OverlayCovers imperfections and gives existing concrete a new look, for less than replacement.Learn about Concrete Overlay
Concrete RepairRepairs for interior floors and exterior areas such as pool decks, patios and driveways.Learn about Concrete Repair
Concrete ResurfacingRefinishing for worn concrete, including industrial and commercial floors under heavy use.Learn about Concrete Resurfacing
Concrete SealingProtects polished, stained and exterior concrete from water, dirt and stains.Learn about Concrete Sealing
Self LevelingA self-spreading, concrete-like material used as an underlayment or floor surface.Learn about Self Leveling- Not sure which service you need?Tell us about your space and how it is used, and we will recommend options.Get a Free EstimateCall (619) 870-8308
How the services fit together
Repair, prepare, restore or finish?
The seven specialties cover different stages of work on a slab. Many projects use more than one, for example repair, then grinding, then a finish and a sealer.
| Stage | Service | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Repair | Concrete repair | Fixes cracks, chips, holes and flaking. The first step is checking whether the damage is only on the surface or goes deeper into the slab. |
| Prepare | Concrete grinding | Smooths an existing floor so it can be polished, or prepares it for a coating, overlay or stain. |
| Even out | Self-leveling | Smooths uneven or low spots, as an underlayment for other flooring or as a finished interior floor. |
| Restore or change the surface | Concrete resurfacing and concrete overlay | Resurfacing renews worn or damaged concrete; an overlay adds a new decorative layer to sound concrete. |
| Finish | Concrete polishing and acid staining | Polishing refines the concrete to the sheen you choose; staining adds color that varies with the slab. |
| Protect | Concrete sealing | Helps keep water, dirt and stains out and deepens the color. It is surface protection, not waterproofing. |
Why polished concrete
Why choose polished concrete floors
Polished concrete can change the look of an interior without the cost of new floors every few years.
Durable
Polished concrete stands up to heavy foot traffic and equipment, and with the right care it stays both attractive and useful for years.
Simple upkeep
Mopping, sweeping and periodic polishing keep the floor looking good. No special coatings need to be stripped and replaced.
Versatile
A wide range of colors, scoring and patterns, from a natural industrial look to finishes that resemble stone or tile.
Your choice of sheen
Polishing moves through progressively finer diamond grits until the floor reaches the level of shine you want.
Works in busy spaces
Suited to areas with forklifts, heavy equipment and steady foot traffic, where coatings can wear quickly.
Restores existing concrete
Grinding removes old coatings and surface damage so the existing slab can be repaired and refinished.
Common question
What is the difference between concrete repair, resurfacing and an overlay?
Repair fixes specific defects. Resurfacing renews the whole surface, and an overlay is one way to resurface, with a decorative layer bonded to sound concrete.
Repair
Targets cracks, chips, holes and flaking, often before another finish goes on. Cracks from soil movement or settling, and damage that may be structural, should be evaluated first; a surface repair is not a structural fix.
See concrete repair.
Resurfacing and overlays
Resurfacing covers an old, worn or damaged surface with a thin layer of coating or concrete. An overlay is a polymer-modified layer, stamped, sprayed or troweled, that gives sound concrete a new look. Both depend on a sound base underneath.
See concrete resurfacing and concrete overlay.
How it works
How we polish a concrete floor
Concrete polishing is a multi-step process. Professionals polish either wet or dry, using heavy grinding machines and diamond tooling.
- 01
Prepare and inspect
The floor is swept, scrubbed and washed, then checked for damage. Old coatings are removed so loose material does not contaminate the repairs.
- 02
Grind with metal-bond diamonds
A first pass with coarse metal-bond diamonds (typically 30 to 40 grit) opens the slab, followed by a finer metal-bond pass (around 70 to 80 grit).
- 03
Repair cracks and joints
Cracks, holes and joint gaps are filled with epoxy patching materials so the finished floor is smooth and continuous.
- 04
Densify
A silicate densifier is applied to harden the surface, and remaining small holes are filled before polishing.
- 05
Polish in stages
Resin-bond diamonds refine the floor step by step (100 or 200, 400, 800, then 1500 or 3000 grit), edges included, until it reaches the shine you chose.
Grit sequences vary with the condition of the slab and the finish you want. We confirm the approach after evaluating your floor. See our full process.
Where it works
Where polished concrete works well
Polished concrete suits homes, retail and commercial interiors, and industrial buildings with heavy traffic.
Applications
Commercial, retail and industrial floors
Industrial and warehouse floors
Industrial buildings need floors that can take heavy loads and machinery without being soaked in oil, grease or chemicals. Warehouse floors are prone to staining, cracking and mismatched color, and heavy vehicles and falling goods scratch the surface.
Polishing is well suited to high-traffic areas with forklifts and heavy equipment, and it avoids the cost of coatings that need frequent replacement in those areas.
Commercial and retail floors
Polishing is a straightforward way to refresh business floors while keeping maintenance costs down. Floors in hotels, offices, restaurants and commercial kitchens are easy to clean.
Retail spaces, from strip malls to small boutiques, need floors that can be cleaned quickly and simply between busy days.
Our work
Polished concrete projects
Open larger photo: High-gloss polished concrete in a wood-framed room
Open larger photo: Close-up of polished concrete with exposed aggregate
Open larger photo: Long tables on a polished floor in a school space
Open larger photo: Polished floor in a dining area with tables and chairs
Photos from Concrete Polishing Solutions projects. Select a photo to view it larger.
View the photo galleryFAQ
Concrete polishing questions
Can you polish existing concrete?
Yes. We polish existing concrete floors, including rough concrete. Existing floors in sound condition are ground, repaired where needed and then polished.
How difficult is it to polish a concrete floor?
The process itself is not complicated, but it takes a lot of physical labor, time and specialized grinding equipment to do properly.
How do I make my concrete floor shine?
There are two main ways: concrete polishing or a clear epoxy coating. Polishing keeps the natural, industrial look of concrete. Clear epoxy is shiny too, but the floor looks coated. See epoxy flooring.
How is concrete polished?
Polishing uses industrial diamond tooling, hardeners (densifiers) and sealers to grind and polish the concrete so it is level, dense and polished.
What designs are available for polished concrete?
The smooth, reflective surface allows coloring, scoring, radial lines, grids, bands, borders and other designs. Stains and dyes are the most common way to add color to polished concrete.
How hard is polished concrete to maintain?
Polished concrete is low maintenance, but not maintenance-free. Clean it regularly to remove oils and dirt. A floor that has lost its shine or clarity can be restored by re-polishing.
Our floor has tile on it. Can you remove it?
Yes. Call us to talk through your floor and the options for removing the existing covering.
Related
Related services
Areas served
Serving homes and businesses across Southern California
- San Diego County
- Orange County
- Riverside County
- Los Angeles County
Free estimate
Ready to transform your concrete floor?
Share a few details about your space and the finish you have in mind, and we will help you choose the right system for your home or business.
- (619) 870-8308Call for a free estimate
- info@concretepolishingsolutions.proEmail us about your project
- Southern CaliforniaSan Diego, Orange, Riverside & Los Angeles counties