The nobleness of concrete: restoring old floors

For many, the thought of rejuvenating an old concrete floor isn’t the first thing that pops to mind when looking at a worn out, tired space. More commonly, people look at how to cover the floor with vinyl or tiles, for example. That’s a costly process though, and one MegaFloor’s Stu Hunter says is giving way more frequently to the restoration of original concrete floors.

Concrete Floors: An Underrated Flooring Option

“There are so many variations in concrete depending on where it is made; grinding back an old concrete floor will reveal the nobleness of the concrete and the rich beauty of the local aggregates that were used,” Stu says.

It’s an option that is relatively quick and one that can immediately overhaul an entire space, creating a whole new aesthetic starting from the floor. A diamond polished concrete floor reflects a great deal of light, which also helps with passive heating in larger spaces, Stu says. “The floor then becomes a standout part of the design.”

A concrete floor will almost definitely last the lifetime of a building, and it is this longevity that forms part of the material’s popularity. Particularly in commercial settings, concrete’s durability is also another key factor. But without the right care and maintenance, a concrete floor will deteriorate over time – aesthetically, not structurally. Concrete’s structural integrity is hard to surpass.

Reviving Your Concrete Floors

“Without the right maintenance though, a polished concrete floor will become a dull, dirty grey.” MegaFloor recommends a weekly clean with a microfibre Mop using Mega Clean specialised cleaning products to maintain the aesthetic quality of polished concrete.

However, when this hasn’t happened, or a concrete floor has seen extensive commercial use in warehousing or high foot traffic areas over decades and hasn’t been maintained, it is one of the first things that can be easily and quickly restored to change the aesthetics of a space.

MegaFloor have been involved in scores of large-scale concrete floor restorations around the country, and have been nominated for an international award for their rejuvenation of the Dunedin Pak’N’Save floor, turning it from an dull, dirty floor into a High Street, Premium Mega Floor diamond polished floor that, as Stu says, anyone would be proud to have in their home.

“It’s an option that’s becoming more readily used for older buildings as people appreciate the inherent beauty of concrete and what can be achieved with a diamond polished Mega Floor.”

Restoring an original concrete floor requires it to be ground and a chemical treatment applied, before it is diamond polished. “Once completed, you won’t be able to tell whether it is a brand new floor or if it has been restored, which is the beauty of it,” Stu says.

Get in touch with MegaFloor on ArchiPro here to find out more about bringing out the beauty in tired concrete floors.