101 stuff

About Shiny Concrete.

There are two ways to make concrete shiny: mechanically and topically. Mechanical polishing is more durable, easier to maintain, and arguably prettier when the colors are to be muted. 

Concrete that is made shiny by a material on top (sealed or coated), will be very stain resistant, but prone to scratches and scuffs. Solvent based sealers are OK outside as the solvent melts the scratches, and the smell goes away quickly. However, these floors inside are a bad idea.

That’s right - the industry standard for stained concrete interior flooring (sealed or coated; maintained with mop-on floor finish) is a bad idea. It’s dumb because some day it will all have to come off and get re-done, and in a finished space, that is a mess.  There is a third option to consider, though. 

Paste wax richens color like nothing else, and is very easy to re-apply. Because it goes into the concrete (rather than just on top), owners can go years (usually 3-5) before re-waxing. Some of the wax stays on top, and will buff extra shiny at first, but this is not the point of the finish. These floors wear in like unwashed jeans: They start off stiff. Then they get a line in them. They work into a very comfortable and attractive color and texture over time (arguably less “sharp looking”, but attractive). 

So, the point is some “shiny” is more sustainable than others. Some is worth it (full time janitorial staff at schools, airports, malls, etc.). Some is not (over-application of floor finish in homes). For interior floors, we install diamond polished and paste wax because we know concrete should wear like blue-jeans.

Thank you for reading.