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Some cool features of microcement

Microcement is often referred to as micro concrete or micro cement and has numerous applications where a traditional polished concrete surface can be difficult to install.

With the increasing demand of a seamless, unique and highly attractive surface finish, microcement is becoming a preferred solution. The key features of a microcement finish include:

  • Individual – Hand finished wall and floor finishes offering a unique style to your property or installation
  • Lightweight – as the systems we use are only 3mm thick, there is no need for major structural requirements to install. It can be installed on the ground floor all the way through to the top floor of a development without the additional weight a 100mm concrete floor would add.
  • Flexible – it can be installed on walls, ceilings and floors. It can also be used to create a variety of furniture such as sinks, baths etc.
  • Texture – depending on your requirements, there are various levels of texture and finish possible which can be both internal or external
  • Waterproof – The systems we use have been used extensively in bathrooms, walk in showers and even swimming pools

To get a better feel for our microcement solutions, why not drop us a line to arrange a time to take a look at our samples?

To contact us click here!

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Why Polished Concrete?

There is no dispute that they are sleek and stylish, but what are polished concrete floors like to live with?

Polished concrete floors are becoming increasingly popular in homes, with a range of finishes and colours meaning they can be specified in colours other than grey.

The facts:

  • These floors are diamond ground and then treated with a chemical densifier.
  • They are polished with diamond-polishing tools, using polishing pads specifically for using on concrete.
  • Polished concrete will most commonly be finished to a grit level of 800, 1,500 or 3,000 depending on the level of shine require.
  • Concrete is not considered polished before 400 grit. This is called ‘honed’ concrete.
  • Polished concrete floors are best designed in early on in a project.
  • They are most commonly 100mm thick.
  • They often tend to be specified with underfloor heating.
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Polishing concrete – The Process

How is it installed?

It is unwise to attempt the pouring and polishing of a concrete floor on a DIY basis — the skills, equipment and the experience required make this a specialist job.

The most common way for a domestic floor to be poured and finished is using the ‘flooded bay’ method.

1. “The whole space is filled and levelled using a laser, rakes, vibratory screeding machines and bull floats.

2. Over the course of the day, the concrete surface is refined and flattened using hand floats and power floats.

3. The final surface is closed off and densified by hand trowel and/or power trowel machines. This brings the cement paste to the surface, smoothing and hardening it until it develops a sheen. This can take anywhere from four to 14 hours, and is partially dependent on the weather conditions — too cold (5?C or lower) and fresh concrete can be permanently damaged; too hot and there is a risk of the concrete shrinking.

4. Once poured and prepared, the concrete will need to be polished and sealed — something that must be carried out at least a month after pouring.

5. Polishing either comes from cleaning and buffing the floor with a scrubbing machine or, better still, light diamond polishing to remove minimal laitance to bring out a medium sheen. For highly polished floors, the surface can be further enhanced using diamond-encrusted flexible buffing pads.

6. The floor will then need to be sealed. A penetrative sealant that allows the concrete to breathe is used.

 

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London Urban: London’s premier residential and commercial building company

We work regularly with London Urban – a highly professional building company in South West London who specialise in high quality renovations, refurbishments and extensions, loft conversions and new build of both residential and commercial properties.

VISIT THE LONDON URBAN WEBSITE

London Polished Concrete Ltd.

Navigator House,
60 High Street,
Hampton Wick,
KT1 4DB

t: 020 7100 3887
e: [email protected]

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Call us now on 020 7100 3887 to discuss your project in more detail

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