Polished concrete: how to make an inexpensive and original floor

Unpresentable concrete floor is actually turned into an exclusive finish. Technology from the participants of the portal

Concrete - one of the most versatile and the running of the materials used both in industry and in private construction. Foundations, floor slabs, Laying nets, ladders, and the wall is entirely made of concrete. Subject to the technology, after a set of grade strength, it will serve for decades. Users of the portal FORUMHOUSE concrete also is widely used as a base, but it can become the original trim, for example - on the floor.

Content:

• Concrete-wagon
• Concrete modification methods
• transformation technology roughing concrete topcoat
• Output

reliable wagon

In terms of strength and durability of the concrete floor than many coating that gives it relevance, despite the abundance of modern materials. But with a lot of advantages when it comes to the visual component, he loses - pale gray - not the best design. Furthermore, porous concrete structure - surface absorbs moisture and is gradually degraded due to mechanical impact or corrosive environment. As a result of erosion produced dust and minute kroshivo, potholes, cracks, bumps, which also does not add pluses. Therefore, a concrete floor or use in technical rooms in its original form, or as a basis for finishing universal finishing materials.

However, there are ways to improve the durability and decorative concrete, which allow you to turn nondescript floor into a work of art, passing phase lining - rough coat will be the exclusive finishing.

This process is dedicated to the whole topic on the forum - "Polished concrete flooring", Topikstarter which became a member of the portal limur8484. He saw a photo on the network treated concrete and thought to create such a floor at home. A foremost expert in the topic addressed Thiam.

Thiam

Member FORUMHOUSE

Brushed / polished concrete floor - a great outlet for all those who have a concrete floor. Particularly relevant are the floors for those who use warm floors with concrete screed. Even more relevant, such floors for those who use theHeat pumpfor heat production, because in case of equality of these thermal resistance does not occur finishing layer, such as tile or laminate.

Concrete modification methods

To transform ordinary concrete into a brilliant likeness of granite or marble are two main ways.

Chemical modifications

To improve durability and water resistance characteristics of the concrete used chemical compositions, after processing which coating becomes monolithic and absorbs virtually no moisture. There are two types of exposure:

• Silicification - a chemical reaction with the deposited concrete components silicate solution (Sodium, potassium, lithium) formed on the surface compound sealing the pores, preventing erosion.
• Flyuatatsiya (reinforcement) - apply silicofluoride acid salt formed during the reaction Calcium difluoride (one of the components of the enamel) and the barrier layer itself is transformed into a lasting.

In the opinion, Thiam, Thoroughly versed in chemical processes occurring in the concrete, and in the application of the reagents, more efficient method flyuatatsii. Although the bulk of the profile companies applying silicification, and as a finished product for sale, mostly silicate same means - sealers.

Mechanical, dry mixes - toppings

Zamonolitit to the surface layer of the concrete, making it the most durable and smooth, usually applied with cement - backfilling and grout dry cement. This method gave results, but over time will still began the erosion of the surface, and special appeal this manipulation does not add concrete. In place of cement toppings came today - principle is the same, but instead of dry cement - special hardeners:

• Quartz - quartz sand in the coarse fraction, to enhance the attractiveness of the sand often Kohler.
• Corundum - as filler corundum (mineral, alumina) grit.
• Metallized: as filler - fine steel wool (used in the construction industry).

The most common and affordable - quartz reinforcements, but they are inferior in decorative corundum. But a combination of both varieties, you can create an exclusive floor.

Thiam

If you strengthen the top layer of topping, such as white corundum, quartz decorate it with flowers, the room will turn out very light, almost crystal-clear. As presented in the picture.

Concrete conversion technology topcoat

Technology for creating polished / polished concrete depends on the method of modification.

chemical

It is carried out in several stages.

polishing

surface grinding is performed on the old and on the new basis with one purpose - to remove deliberately weakened layer. Only the old concrete it was formed over time due to erosion, and the new - this so-called "milk" to give, after the deposition of coarse fractions.

The deeper penetrate reagent, the stronger and more durable layer is modified.

Yes and decorative coatings repeatedly increases during grinding - the surface is perfectly smooth, manifested drawing, particularly if used in the special filler kneading.

Depending on the initial state of the surface may require pre-treatment screed. If you have stitches, bumps or nodules, grinding does not remove them, it is necessary to cut the cutter. To avoid damage to fresh concrete, from which the high-speed diamond blade can pull out the filler, grinding is carried out only after a set of brand-name strength - a month after fill.

For grinding produced professional and household tools, the first characterized by efficiency and quality of operations. However, due to the cost of such equipment for private use is possible to do household tool, increasing the number of approaches and find a suitable abrasive. If squaring the alleged treatment of a hundred meters or even several hundred (the house there are different), you can take Categories rent. It will be cheaper than buying, and much faster than to conquer territory with hand angle grinders. With regard to the grinding method - firms typically use wet and dry handyman cost resurfacing and building cleaner.

Processing agents

On polished and cleaned of surface dust selected product is applied as directed. This may be spraying, brush or roller to form a uniform layer. The number of approaches, too, depends on the species of reactant - sealers often applied one layer fluorosilicate (fluorosilicic acid salt) concrete coated repeatedly with a certain interval. What is typical - the first solution is less concentrated than the next.

Thiam

Impregnation begin the weakest solution that did not have time to close the uppermost pores. The solution previously suffered, so it will have time to penetrate deeper down. But what he was stronger, the greater the long closed, and it is necessary to provide the best possible modification of a thick layer, so start with the weakest. Then impregnated with more strong solution, it lags behind the less strong at the time of application, and therefore on the depth of penetration. However, due to the fact that the former had a weak concentration, pores are retained for more robust open, and the larger, the lower the concentration of the former solution. The final solution was used the strongest and therefore the outermost layer thus obtained monolithic.

polish

After treatment with reagents concrete surface is polished to maximize gloss manifested, and the floor became specular. This process is quite time consuming and is also carried out in several steps, using the tiniest abrasives. Therefore, many people choose as the final stage is not polished, and special mastic based on acrylic that shine immediately after application. To secure polishing effect also apply polyurethane compositions, forming on the surface a thin, wear-resistant coating.

But the usual mechanical polishing carried out after phase flyuatatsii, make the floor shiny. This effect will last for several years before requiring re-polishing.

Mechanical, dry mixes

In contrast to the chemical treatment, this method is relevant only during concrete pouring. If you want to restore the old coating, on top of a new screed poured on the type of technology and hardened topping. It makes sense to plan ahead for the improvement of the concrete floor.

Thiam

If the concrete floor is laid in the project, it is better to be laid on the concrete topping corundum. In this case, a very abrasion resistant layer having a thickness of 2 cm is formed. It is aligned in the formation, and then, after 28 days, it will finishnut fine grinding or polishing, if necessary shine. This gloss is not erased, perhaps never.

Corundum is of several colors: white, pink, with purple tint (chromium), and with a bluish tint. Interestingly, the pink crystals of corundum - tiny Rubinchik and blue - topaziki. The concrete floor is not just strong, it will be almost precious.

As I mentioned Thiam, when modifying concrete by topping, corundum or quartz technology is significantly different.

strainer

Mark concrete topping at strengthening should not be less than the M300, M350 and better. Screed is performed in the classical way, with reinforcement, sealing and vibration exposure levels. The thickness of the screed depends on the type of substrate. If it's pouring for old concrete, about 7 cm, and if the question of the screed on the ground and its variations - 10-12 cm. With the average temperature and humidity of the concrete is kept for 4-6 hours primary setting. The surface should not be too dry, it was not necessary to humidify - it will cause deterioration of coating characteristics.

hardening

Selection topping scatters on the surface a uniform layer of screed. The first stage consume 2/3 of the mass of material distribution is possible by hand or improvised means. Topping consumption varies from 3 to 8 kg / m², depending on the species. After applying the mixture must be impregnated with cement "milk", after which it was triturated thoroughly in mortar by means of special equipment or devices via artisan. After grouting of the bulk topping partitioned and also overwrites the remainder. After some time performing the finishing of concrete grout. The final processing step the surface is coated, retaining moisture inside (varnish, sealer) and cutting joints, if the need arises.

After dialing grade strength, to improve decorativeness as recommended Thiam, the floor can be sanded or polished to clearly manifested filler.

Output

Make your unique floor without applying the expensive finishing materials - real. Use white cement, color fill, choose the color scheme, lay out a pattern of pebbles or colored glass, follow label or draw a pattern contrast topping - a lot of variants. Even just sanded, polished and coated with a polymer concrete for decorative surpass types of tiles and much cheaper. And in the case of floor heating systems, heat loss is reduced also. If we expand the horizons of concrete to such processing can be used not only on the floor, but also as a wall decoration, or for creating countertops fireplace portals - who is to their liking.

Subtleties of creating a concrete floor on the ground - in the article of overlapping species. From the article about how to save on building materialsYou can find out more on what really gain without harming quality. In the video, the construction of the house of aerated concrete participant portal shares its own experience in cost optimization.

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