Photo of Floor Polishing

Concrete floor polishing benefits any workplace, but this is more evident in some industries than others. Concrete at industrial buildings deals with a significant amount of wear regularly. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of concrete floor polishing in industrial and commercial spaces and why it is so important.

Types of Polishing Machines

There are many types of polishers and buffing machines available to bring new life to your concrete floors. These machines include:

  • Disc finishing machines
  • Centerless finishing machines
  • Buffers
  • Cylindrical polishers
  • Honing machines
  • Lapping machines
  • Orbital devices
  • Polishing lathes
  • Super-finishing equipment
  • Vibratory or oscillatory machines
  • Specialty devices

Disc finishers are standard polishing machines, along with buffers and centerless finishers. These machines are used to improve the brightness and finish of the surface area of the concrete. 

Centerless finishing polishers are used for grinding down the flooring and finishing it. These are applied through rolls and rollers, along with connecting rods. These machines are put to work in high-volume production applications.

Cylindrical polishers are used for grinding and polishing in small areas. These areas include shafts and rolls alongside cams and valve systems. These polishing machines can also be used in additional applications.

Honing machines correct the alignment of holes. This creates the proper surface for an application. Lapping polishers are good if you want to remove only a tiny amount of material.  

There are other kinds of polishing machines, such as polishing lathes and super-finishers. There is also oscillatory equipment. Orbital polishers use an orbital motion in the finishing process.

Polishing lathes are specialized to create a smooth surface finish. They have dual shafts tapered to provide holding chucks for the tools. 

Super-finishing polishers bring out a surface that has a very low roughness to it. Oscillatory polishers and buffing machines use vibrations for finishing. Specialty polishers and buffing machines are also available. Applications include scarifiers, power files, scrapers, thermal stripping, and wafer thinning

Why Concrete Floor Polishing

Polishing your concrete floors will usually be a more cost-effective option when dealing with the floors of a large warehouse or industrial building. The porous surface of concrete flooring is like a magnet for dust and dirt, making cleaning them a pain. The concrete surface also absorbs liquid quickly as it seeps down into the floor. Luckily, concrete floor polishing is a smart option for bringing quality to your flooring and making your environment better.

Benefits of Concrete Floor Polishing in an Industrial Facility

There are several benefits to polishing the concrete floors of your industrial facility. They include:

Ease of Maintanence 

Unlike a coat of epoxy on the floor, which needs to be sanded and have other treatments done to it to keep it looking great, polished floors will look great for a long time with just some regular cleaning and upkeep. Polished concrete floors are built to resist scratches due to the more rigid surface that is created.

Cost Efficiency 

Epoxy floor coatings are roughly the same price as polished concrete floors. However, the maintenance of epoxy floors will cost more. Polished concrete is a cheap and effective solution for businesses that want quality without breaking the bank. Polished floors will last a long time, and the minimal care needed for these floors reduces the need to be replaced as quickly as other floor materials.

Cleanliness 

You cannot avoid spills, no matter how hard you try. Polishing your concrete floors is essential since concrete is not naturally water-resistant. This includes other liquids such as oils and chemicals. You can find a treatment for your floor that will leave it resistant to the chemicals or compounds it may come into contact with. This leads to a cleaner and more productive space that will be safer in the long run.

Improved Appearance

Looks play a significant role in business. If a facility is an aesthetically pleasing environment, it tends to increase employees’ productivity while bringing in more customers. You can get several colors and looks nowadays for your polished concrete flooring. Making it to your liking is now easier than ever.

Health Benefits of Polishing Warehouse and Manufacturing Flooring

Polished floors will create a healthier environment for your employees. The surface of your warehouse floors being smooth will decrease the chances of dust buildup because it can be removed easier. There will be less dust kicked up than from typical concrete floors as employees work in the facility.

These preventative measures will lead to many positive employee outcomes, such as:

  • Less respiratory issues
  • More energy
  • Fewer call-outs 
  • Faster recovery time from illnesses 
  • A more positive outlook on work
Photo of a Man Using Flooring Tools

Floor Safety

A smoother surface in warehouses or industrial facilities carries less chance of accidents on the job. The ease of getting rid of spills and other hazardous things on the floor can also prevent damage to the concrete, like oil stains or any other liquid seeping in.

Expectations Vs. Reality

When you think of a polished floor, what comes to mind? Visions of a car showroom floor? Sadly, regular polishing does not make floors look this way. People often expect a polished foundation to look like it has a shiny gloss. The truth is that while these floors are more aesthetically pleasing, they are not perfect and can have defects. Here are some of the issues you may run into with your polished concrete floors:

  • Polished concrete floors can give off a cloudy look
  • Previous patterns from old flooring can show through 
  • Different types of concretes combined in other sections of the flooring can lead to different shades and discoloration throughout the floor
  • Deep stains on the floor can be magnified because of the polishing

Issues with Old Flooring

Removing your old flooring can be a nightmare. Old glue residue may be left when it is pulled up, needing to be taken off before being able to polish the concrete. The condition of the concrete could also be compromised in the process requiring you to apply another thin layer of concrete before you can polish it. That can turn into a long list of headaches.

In Conclusion 

Concrete floor polishing is vital to the upkeep of your facility. Polishing a concrete floor is unnecessary, but you may want to consider it. The quality of your floor will be greatly improved, especially over time.