About to build a new house and are using recycled concrete slab.
Not that concerned about any particular finish or look – just looking for the performance of the slab and am unsure what is the most sound way to finish the floor so it is not dusty, uses and emits minimal or zero VOCs and is resistant to fat and water etc and doesn’t discolour or decay in direct sun or in wet environment.
Is polishing with water the soundest finish and then sealed with a wax or oil (tung or linseed??)
How much maintenance does wax or oil have?
Any experiences or inputs appreciated.
Finishing Concrete Floor - opinions?
(10 posts) (9 voices)-
KarenLee
MemberPosted Tuesday 7 Dec 2010 @ 3:36:37 am from IP # -
Geno
MemberBy recycled concrete slab what are we referering to? is this a slab from compacted crushed concrete, an existing slab reused, or something else.
If it is similar to Borals enviro product which is a mix of crushed concrete and new material why not just use a waterbased paving paint or waterbased clear finish? It can also be ground (polished)and a clear finish applied. Linseed,Tung oil or wax does not seem to be the way to go, neither will hold that well and are really designed for timber.
Posted Wednesday 8 Dec 2010 @ 2:33:24 am from IP # -
Peterws
MemberI have recently done a polished contrete floor to my new house and used this product
http://www.epimax.com.au/files/files/System_1_Floor_protection_lessthan1mm/EpiMax_333WBXP.pdf
its water based and low VOC
Posted Friday 10 Dec 2010 @ 1:46:49 am from IP # -
angela
MemberHi KarenLee, not sure if you were albe to source out a product that you are happy with. jsut came across your question.
With water based products most continue to off gas due to the semi voc of the product.Not sure why Geno and Frateco don't like natural product but then again there is so much greenwash around it is hard to read thru it. Chech out http://www.livos.com.au there are a number of options to use the Livos oils which are linseed based but contain other waxes and resins. There are options wehre one may use a stain. This has been done on a 30 year old concrete slab. Part was ground back to the agregate and part just cleaned and levelled. why use a synthecit petrochemically based product when there is a safer more natural option.Posted Friday 17 Dec 2010 @ 3:22:20 am from IP # -
diamondpro
MemberGo "True Polished concrete" not a grind and seal you will be very happy with the results.
Posted Sunday 19 Dec 2010 @ 12:58:07 am from IP # -
There are different ways in finishing your concrete floor, it can be a polished, acid-stained,decorative saw cut, or stamped concrete. Cory Grant Concrete can provide this types of concrete finishing in a concrete cost.
Posted Wednesday 19 Jan 2011 @ 6:18:09 pm from IP # -
I'm sorry to say that any concrete that has a coating should not be referred to as polished. Polishing concrete is the process of gradually honing the surface down with progressively finer diamond tools to achieve a surface so flat that it reflects light.
This product is far superior to a grind and seal as there are no coatings, chemicals or sealers used in the process. And when the coated concrete has worn and it needs to be totally taken back and recoated, the polished concrete can just be buffed up again to last several more years.
I've got a lot more info on the difference between both products on my website http://www.policrete.com.au and am happy to take any further queries personally.
Posted Tuesday 5 Apr 2011 @ 9:53:05 pm from IP # -
angela
MemberYes having such a polished surface that does not require a coating is ideal however not everyone like the "gloss" look. We have had a small area polished and found it slippery.
Are you able to polish it so finely that is not slippery?When one uses natural penetrating oils then the surface can be easily rejuvenated without having to take back the surface at all. Just apply some more oil (which has other waxes and resins) to the surface, buff in, wipe off excess and it it ready to go.Just stay off the area obviously however you do not need to move out.
Posted Wednesday 13 Apr 2011 @ 9:58:22 pm from IP # -
SteveJ
MemberI have used microcrystalline wax to seal polished conrete, it looks lovely, offers a hight degree of protection but is slippery. The solvent carrier is White Spirits, it evolves off in a few days to leave just the inhert microcrystalline wax.
Steve
Posted Friday 15 Apr 2011 @ 1:13:33 pm from IP #
