There are a number of processes involved in creating the amazing variety of looks available in what has become known as concrete polishing. Two of these are concrete honing and concrete grinding.
These are preparatory stages designed to produce different appearances and textures for concrete floors, patios, and driveways.
These pre-polishing steps can determine how exposed the aggregate within the concrete remains for a variety of looks.
Plus, they can reduce the slipperiness of surfaces for outdoor areas prone to the effects of rain like patios and driveways.
Adelaide Concrete Polishing can advise you on the best finishes for flooring in the various areas around your home or place of business.
What is Involved in Honing & Grinding the Aggregate?
In Honing, we coarse grind the surface of the concrete to reveal as much or little of the aggregate as the client desires.
Honing is, also, known as ‘grind and seal’, and is a popular choice for pathways, patios, and driveways. The sealant application still produces a smooth finish but without the highly polished reflectivity of polished concrete.
A matte or full gloss finish can be achieved, and the sealant creates an impenetrable surface to prevent any absorption by stains or dirt.
Honed concrete is generally less expensive, as it requires less labour without the finer polishing process.
Honing vs Polishing in Concrete
Honing concrete is more generally recommended for outdoor surfaces over polished concrete. This is, in the main, due to textural and durability considerations.
The slip-resistant qualities of honed concrete floors are far more practical around homes and commercial properties for obvious reasons. Polished concrete floors are slippery due to their high sheen finish.
A succession of diamond pads with increasingly finer grits are employed in the polishing process to produce a polished concrete floor.
The incredible reflective surfaces created via this process are superb for indoor floors.
Combining Honing & Polishing to Best Effect
At Polished Concrete Flooring Adelaide, we find that many clients choose to combine honing and polishing around their homes and commercial premises.
Indoor rooms, generally, get the full concrete polishing treatment to achieve the remarkable glass like finishes. These marvellously reflect lighting in all sorts of magical ways to great effect.
Outdoor areas like patios and driveways are more likely to be honed and ground and sealed.
Therefore, these surfaces have a more natural looking appearance and suit the outdoors.
Combining honing and polishing concrete can achieve fantastic results for homes and places of business in Adelaide.
