Concrete Sealers

polyurethane sealer industrial flooring

ACRYLIC SEALERS FOR CONCRETE

Concrete SealersFor great performance at a low cost, acrylic sealers are a good choice.
Available in both solvent- and water-based formulations, acrylic sealers are ideal for projects where easy application and economy are important.
They can be used on both interior and exterior surfaces to form a thin, protective film that provides good protection against water and chloride intrusion while permitting moisture in the slab to escape. They are also UV resistant and non-yellowing. Available in a range of sheen levels, they also can be used to enhance the beauty of colored, stamped or exposed-aggregate concrete.

Application Uses for acrylic sealers include:

  • Exterior surfaces, to provide good protection against water and chloride intrusion
  • Decorative interior floors, to protect the surface and enhance the color
  • Fast-track projects, since they dry to the touch within an hour

Acrylics are usually much thinner than polyurethane sealers and epoxy coatings, so they wear faster and usually require reapplication sooner. Solvent-based acrylics generally perform better than water-based products for outdoor use and will enhance the color better than water-based products. On indoor surfaces, acrylic sealers usually require regular maintenance with several coats of a sacrificial floor finish, or wax, to prevent wear and black heel marks.

POLYURETHANE SEALERS FOR CONCRETE

Use these high-build sealers to produce a very durable, chemical-resistant finish.
Polyurethanes sealers are nearly twice as thick as an acrylic sealer and form a high-build protective film on the concrete surface that provides excellent resistance to abrasion and chemicals. They are available in water- and solvent-based versions and a range of sheen levels. They can be used on both interior and exterior concrete to impart a transparent, non-yellowing, highly durable finish.

Polyurethane-sealersApplications

Typical applications for polyurethane sealers include:

  • Floors in high-traffic areas, to provide good resistance to scuffs and staining
  • To enhance the beauty of colored, stamped or exposed-aggregate concrete
  • Concrete countertops

Most polyurethanes are moisture intolerant until they cure, so they should not be applied to surfaces if any water is present. A chemical reaction will occur that results in foaming and bubbling. They also don’t allow for moisture vapor to move out of the concrete, which could present problems on some exterior concrete surfaces, such as driveways. How to apply. Polyurethane sealers require more care when applying compared with single-component sealers, such as acrylics. Avoid applying water-based polyurethanes with a garden-type pump-up sprayer, since they don’t reach the level of pressure needed to achieve a thin, even spray pattern. Instead, use a low-volume, high-pressure airless sprayer. Polyurethanes can also be applied with a microfiber mop, using a push-and-pull motion to get thin, even coverage.

POLYASPARTIC COATINGS

Polyaspartic-sealerA new polymer for one-day floor toppings and countertop sealers.
Every so often you hear about some new wonder material that sounds too good to be true and that’s usually because it isn’t true. Recently there has been a lot of talk about a miraculous new concrete floor coating and sealer called polyaspartic polyurea.
This material, according to its proponents, can be applied at nearly any temperature, bonds easily to nearly any concrete surface, cures to full strength within half an hour, is flexible enough to bridge small cracks, can withstand high temperatures when cured, and has superior stain and UV resistance. So, you’re asking, is all that really true? After talking to many people, both believers and skeptics, I believe that the simple answer is, yes, it is true-BUT. The big “but” is that you must properly prepare the floor and the moisture vapor emission rate can’t be too high and you need to have the proper solids content in the polyaspartic coating to allow it to wet out the concrete surface in order to develop a proper bond.
When those conditions are met, polyaspartic floors are extremely successful and an experienced contractor can indeed complete a floor in a single day. But-another but-when moisture vapor emission rates are too high and when using 100% polyaspartic coatings, some floors have failed.
Here, we’ll give you both sides of the story and discuss the applications for polyaspartics, ranging from a new way to topcoat decorative concrete floors to sealing concrete countertops.

EPOXY SEALERS FOR CONCRETE

Epoxy-sealerSuperior abrasion resistance and a high-gloss sheen make epoxy sealers ideal for high-traffic floors and concrete countertops.
Epoxy sealers form a high-build protective film on the concrete surface, producing a hard, long-wearing, abrasion-resistant finish. They also offer excellent water repellence.They are available to clear or pigmented if you wish to add color. Most products impart a glossy finish. Epoxy sealers are much harder than acrylics. Water-based epoxies bond well to concrete and provide a clear finish, but they are nonporous and do not allow trapped moisture to escape.
Applications
Typical applications for epoxy sealers include:

  • Floors in high-traffic and food-preparation areas
  • Cement-based overlays
  • Concrete countertops

Because epoxies may yellow with UV exposure, they are generally limited to interior use. On decorative floors, a high-gloss clear epoxy finish will enrich the color and bring the design to life while protecting the floor from abrasion and foot traffic.

How to apply

Most epoxies are two-component products mixed prior to application. Once the epoxy is mixed, you will need to apply the material promptly, before it begins to set. Because of their high solids content and viscosity, good application methods include a notched squeegee followed by a lint-free roller.

PENETRATING SEALERS FOR CONCRETE

Penetrating-SealerPenetrating sealers provide excellent protection against outdoor conditions.
Penetrating sealers, such as silanes, siloxanes, and silicates, penetrate into the concrete to form a chemical barrier that shields against moisture penetration and deicing chemicals. Usually, they provide invisible protection without changing the surface appearance, and most products are breathable, allowing moisture vapor to escape. They are most commonly used outdoors since they provide excellent protection against harsh exposure conditions.
Applications
A penetrating sealer is your best choice if your goal is to:

  • Protect exterior concrete surfaces subject to corrosion and freeze-thaw damage.
  • Obtain a natural, matte finish.
  • Provide invisible protection without changing the surface appearance or leaving a sheen.

For driveways and walkways where good traction is important, a penetrating sealer is a better choice than a film-forming product, such as an acrylic or polyurethane. Because a penetrating sealer does not leave a glossy film, it will not contribute to the slipperiness of the concrete surface.
How to apply

  • Low-pressure, high-volume sprayer
  • Pump-up garden-type sprayer
  • Roller

Polished Concrete

polished concrete

Polished Concrete Floors

Polished ConcretePolished concrete flooring is fast becoming an architectural choice for commercial and industrial concrete floors throughout the flooring sector. A polished concrete floor offers a wide range of finishes ranging from terrazzo aggregate exposure to a polished cement finish. Choosing the right polished concrete flooring system can be difficult without knowing the limitations and features of how the polished concrete process works.

The Concrete Floor Polishing Process

concrete-polishing-floorA polished concrete floor is a concrete floor that has been diamond ground and then treated with a chemical densifier before progressively polishing with finer diamond polishing tools. The diamond grinding tools are usually sequenced in grit levels of diamonds and polishing pads which are specifically designed for polishing concrete. Typically, concrete is not considered polished before 400 grit which is known as honed concrete, polished is normally finished to either the 800, 1500, or 3000 grit level depending on the shine and reflection specified. In simple terms, the process of concrete polishing is similar to sanding rough wood to a smooth and blemish free surface. Imagine that industrial polishing machines are like an orbital wood sander and the diamond polishing pads are like sand paper. The only difference is the industrial scale of the equipment used for polishing concrete rather than wood.

Polished Concrete Flooring

Polished concrete is considered a great sustainable energy efficient flooring option because most buildings have an existing concrete floor that can be diamond polished. Polishing an existing concrete slab eliminates the cost, energy and material consumed by applying a floor covering or coating. Polished concrete floors are low-maintenance, as they are more durable and easier to clean than many flooring options. It’s relatively high coefficient of friction and makes it non-slippery, especially when some of the penetrating or topical sealers are used for additional stain protection. polished concrete surfaces prevent dust mites and other allergen problems associated with other flooring finishes. Evidence suggests polished concrete floors high reflectivity reduces the need for high energy lighting by up to 30% due to the light reflectance from the polished cement finish. polished concrete flooring is hard wearing and will not chip or dent easily like softer surfaces such as timber, tiles, vinyl or resin floors. Color can be added to polished concrete using specially formulated concrete dyes and reactive concrete stains. These coloring options are applied half way through the concrete polishing process between 200 and 800 grit. Stencils and hand crafted saw cuts can be applied to create logos and colorful features or to define specific areas of use within the polished concrete floor.

Polished Concrete Limitations

There are limitations for polished concrete as with any other flooring finish. The condition of the existing concrete is by far the most important consideration when determining if polished concrete is an option. Cracks, delaminating and dusting surfaces can be overcome and or repaired in most cases, however some concrete is beyond repair and would need to be replaced or special concrete overlays can be applied. Floor flatness plays a large role in the time it will take to polish concrete, the flatter the floor in the first place the easier it will be to grind and polish. Additional time and aggregate exposure should be expected if the existing floor is not level. Working with Concrete Renovations Inc to determine the condition of the concrete floor in the design stage will save time. Residential polished concrete is more difficult to specify than retail or commercial polished concrete due to the sizes of the rooms in most cases. Forward planning will reduce or eliminate any unforeseen problems prior to the concrete polishing works commencing. Should it not be possible to polish the existing concrete floor for any reason then Cocnrete Renovations Inc offers a wide range of polished concrete overlays or micro top polished concrete finishes, completing any polished cement flooring project to your design needs.

What type of Polished Concrete?

Polished Concrete

Polished concrete floor installations are categorized in to several areas:

  • Existing Concrete Floor Polishing – An existing concrete floor that can be polished.
  • New Concrete Floor Polishing
  • – A new concrete slab that can be specified prior to polishing.

Polished Concrete Overlays

  • – A cement based overlay applied at 10mm to 40mm that can be diamond polished.
  • Skim Coat Polished Concrete Coating – A polymer modified coating applied at 0.5mm to 3mm that looks like polished concrete.

Concrete Polishing offers a wide selection of finishes

  • Ground concrete (20 to 100 Grit grinding)
  • Honed concrete (200 to 400 Grit polishing)
  • Low Sheen Polishing (400 to 800 Grit polishing)
  • High Shine Polishing (800 to 3000 Grit polishing)
Aggregate Exposure
    • Cement Paste polished concrete  – Only polishing the existing surface with minimal sand exposure.
    • Salt & Pepper polished concrete  – Light exposure of the surface to reveal the small sand particles.
    • Light Aggregate Exposure concrete Polishing  – Medium exposure to reveal the top side of the aggregates.
    • Heavy Aggregate Exposure concrete Polishing  – Heavy exposure to reveal the maximum size of aggregate.

When choosing what type of polished concrete is needed the level of expectation should then be confirmed and approved. Polishing existing concrete floors are subject to less control over the final finish. The color of the concrete floor is determined by the local sand, cement and aggregates in the original concrete mix. The floor flatness may not allow for zero aggregate exposure so it is important to define this before polishing the entire concrete floor.

About Concrete Polishing

Polished concrete flooring creates a glossy wear surface that is still the existing concrete. Polished concrete wear surface is super abrasion resistant and can have color added to create a beautiful flooring system. Concrete polishing is cost effective and has many different sheen levels. Concrete polishing is used in warehousing, retail, and any area where concrete is preferred.

Benefits of Polished Concrete

  • Concrete is super abrasion resistant
  • Concrete is high gloss
  • Concrete improves light reflectivity
  • Concrete lowers floor maintenance costs.
  • Concrete has low replacement costs

Concrete Polishing and Polished Concrete Flooring Contractors and Locations

  • Concrete Floor Contractors MA
  • Concrete Floor Contractors CT
  • Concrete Floor Contractors RI
  • Concrete Floor Contractors NH
  • Concrete Floor Contractors VT