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Exposed Aggregate Polished Concrete Floor in Harpenden Home
You can read all about the sleek, modern look of polished concrete, but nothing actually prepares you for experiencing its impact firsthand. This DirectStone installation in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, perfectly showcases the beauty and practicality of an exposed aggregate polished concrete floor.
The homeowners opted for an elegant HTC Platinum finish with an integral Smoke Grey pigment, creating a unique and stunning result. In this case study we’ll talk you through the process, explaining the journey from initial visit to the final, polished perfection.
DirectStone is a family-run business with nearly two decades of experience installing polished concrete flooring. We used HTC Superfloor grinding and polishing machines to create the floor in Harpenden, combined with HEPA-filtered extraction.
From Vision to Reality – The Polished Concrete Process Explained
Creating a glossy polished concrete floor like the one in Harpenden begins long before we actually start polishing. The DirectStone team starts with a site visit where we talk through the installation with you and your builder/contractor. We’ll go through everything from finish options, colours, and polish levels to the specific requirements for the concrete slab. This is the first step in bringing your vision to life.
Once the details are agreed, the concrete slab is poured, the colour is added (Smoke Grey in this instance), edges are hand-trowelled, and movement joints are saw-cut. Then we’ll add a curing agent to help with the drying process.
Polishing usually begins 3-4 weeks later when the concrete has fully cured. While waiting for the polishing to begin, there’s no problem with starting to decorate; our polishing process is dry and uses HEPA vacuum extraction so there’s minimal dust created.
For this Harpenden home, the owners chose the premium HTC Platinum finish. This involves multiple grinding stages, resulting in the glossiest and most durable polished concrete floor. The Platinum finish is incredibly resilient, so there’s no need to worry about your furniture creating scuffs. The high gloss also beautifully reflects the natural light streaming in from the many windows in the room, making the most of the natural light.
Living with Polished Concrete Flooring – Benefits That Last
Now that the polished concrete floor is in place, the owners of this Harpenden home can look forward to years of enjoying its benefits because, beyond its good looks, this floor offers plenty of practical advantages.
All our polished concrete floors are treated with densifiers and sealers ensuring that the incredibly durable concrete will last a lifetime. And maintenance is easy – keep the floor dust and grit free with a broom, then follow up with a simple mop using a light floor cleaner. Every few years, a re-seal will help maintain its lustre.
Increasingly important to our clients is the fact that polished concrete is an eco-friendly choice. By using the existing concrete slab, it means no new materials are added to create your flooring, resulting in a zero-carbon footprint compared to other flooring options.
For more information on Platinum Perfection – A Harpenden Polished Concrete Case Study talk to DirectStone Ltd