If there are no repairs needed to your concrete, but it is dirty, dingy or the color has worn or faded, Grindstaff Prep offers the following solutions:
Surface restorers along with high pressure washing can remove years of dirty build-up
Re-staining can bring back the color and beauty of your stamped or stained concrete
Sealers can protect as well as ad luster to a dull surface.
Polish your concrete to a brilliant shine for a durable and eco-friendly surface
Polished Concrete
Years ago, polished concrete was considered functional only for manufacturing plants and industrial buildings. But as the techniques to polish concrete became easier, the products became more eco-friendly and the ease of maintenance became more widely understood, home and business owners alike started turning to polished concrete floors for an alternative to the drab, gray slab. Polished concrete ...
Years ago, polished concrete was considered functional only for manufacturing plants and industrial buildings. But as the techniques to polish concrete became easier, the products became more eco-friendly and the ease of maintenance became more widely understood, home and business owners alike started turning to polished concrete floors for an alternative to the drab, gray slab. Polished concrete is also replacing tile flooring in homes across Michigan and Indiana since it is more durable and take less effort to maintain and clean.
F.A.Q.
Process:
Concrete is actually made up of sand aggregate and small, pea-sized pebbles which generally sink to the bottom after being poured. When concrete is polished, the top layer is ground down to exposing either the sand or the pea-sized aggregate. Increasingly finer grits of diamond-impregnated disks are used on an industrial grade walk behind floor grinder. This method requires no chemicals or sealants and is therefore completely safe for the environment, children, pets and people who are prone to allergic reactions to chemicals. The result is a glossy, durable concrete which repels dirt, oil, tire marks and much, much more.
Durability:
While concrete is generally considered a very solid material, it is still vulnerable to chips, cracks and stains. Polishing the concrete will help to protect the surface, but for the ultimate protection, consider requesting that a hardener be applied to make the polish more dense. This is done after the concrete is prepped, but before the polish is applied and can take a week or two to harden.
Maintenance:
To clean a polished concrete floor, simply run a damp mop over the surface. Additionally, if something spills on your polished concrete floor, you’ll want to clean it up right away so that it won’t stain the polish or the concrete.
Color:
Beyond the gray concrete color, there are also many variations available while polishing your concrete. This can be achieved by using integral and surface colorants such as dyes, stains, and shake hardeners.
A note regarding uniformity of polished concrete:
Each concrete surface has natural variations that can be seen to the naked eye. Those variations will also be seen after the floor is polished. While newly poured concrete is more apt to be uniform after polishing, it will still have variations. The technique of refinishing concrete floors produces a unique surface that is both artful and durable, but you should not expect uniformity.
Epoxy Coatings
Once used primarily for garage floors, epoxy coated concrete is now being used in all areas of the home and businesses. From basement floors to restaurant patios to industrial shop floors, epoxy coatings are showing up everywhere.
What makes the finish so unbeatable is its tough, durable barrier that protects concrete from salt, oil, grease, dirt, and chemicals. It can create a non-slip coating ...
Once used primarily for garage floors, epoxy coated concrete is now being used in all areas of the home and businesses. From basement floors to restaurant patios to industrial shop floors, epoxy coatings are showing up everywhere.
What makes the finish so unbeatable is its tough, durable barrier that protects concrete from salt, oil, grease, dirt, and chemicals. It can create a non-slip coating to increase safety in warehouses and pool patios, too. Not only is it chemical resistant, but it is also a static barrier.
Epoxy coatings, concrete stains and stampings can be used together to create a uniquely beautiful and functional flooring alternative to flat, gray concrete. Ultimately the finished product not only enhances the appearance of the concrete but also improves its durability and strength. It makes it easier to clean and ads value to any home or business.
This is a fantastic, inexpensive flooring solution for the average concrete slab.
Stamped Concrete Overlays
Often called Polymer Modified Concrete Overlays, or thin stamped overlays this system is ideal for those looking to UPGRADE the look of their concrete to that of Stamped Concrete.
Stamped concrete is a technique used to give the impression that a concrete slab is actually a patio of bricks, a stone pathway or a tile floor. It can be applied to existing or new concrete, however, the options ...
Often called Polymer Modified Concrete Overlays, or thin stamped overlays this system is ideal for those looking to UPGRADE the look of their concrete to that of Stamped Concrete.
Stamped concrete is a technique used to give the impression that a concrete slab is actually a patio of bricks, a stone pathway or a tile floor. It can be applied to existing or new concrete, however, the options for each vary.
New Construction: When pouring a new concrete pad, either inside or outside, it is possible to stamp the concrete with an embossing tool to give it the look of natural stone or brick pavers.
Existing Construction: If you already have a concrete slab and you want one of these finishes you’ll want to ask about Concrete Thin Stamped Overlay. In this application, a thin layer of polymer cement is poured atop the existing concrete slab. It is then stamped to give a permanent impression of brick, stone, or slate. Look at some of the examples for ideas of how to implement this at your home or business.
Be sure to look through our interior and exterior thin stamped overlay photo galleries to see examples of the finished product for both new construction stamping and existing concrete overlay work.
Basements and other Interiors
Using Decorative concrete for interior applications has become a large part of our business. We provide many applications that can give an interior room or space a unique look you cannot find anywhere else.
From Our Custom Concrete Finishes to Our High Gloss Finishes these Applications are suited for any Home.
Troweled Overlays
Looking for a natural and totally unique concrete surface? Your best bet is a Troweled Overlay. Unlike a stamped overlay, the troweled overlay is created by getting on hands and knees and using a trowel to create a wide array of effects.
It is a more artistic form of concrete refinishing and requires a bit of skill to correctly implement. The troweled concrete can then be stamped, stained and or given an epoxy coating.
The finished results are simply amazing. Browse through the photo galleries below to see examples of both interior and exterior troweled overlays.
Stencils and Borders
Want a one-of-a-kind entrance way, pool patio or business floor? Stencils offer unlimited customization when refinishing concrete flooring, counter-tops or vertical surfaces. From a distinctive monogram to a geometrical design, your imagination is the limit. The best idea is to finish your stencil with a decorative border and cover the whole area with an epoxy coating to protect the design and make ...
Want a one-of-a-kind entrance way, pool patio or business floor? Stencils offer unlimited customization when refinishing concrete flooring, counter-tops or vertical surfaces. From a distinctive monogram to a geometrical design, your imagination is the limit. The best idea is to finish your stencil with a decorative border and cover the whole area with an epoxy coating to protect the design and make it shine.
Reactive / Acid Staining
Grindstaff Prep offers a FULL LINE of decorative concrete products and services using only Elite-Crete brand products. Please take a moment to read some of the following info about Acid-Etch Staining to see if it might be the right choice for your next project.
Acid Stain is not a paint or coating agent. Rather, it’s a coloring process involving a chemical reaction on a cement material.A ...
Grindstaff Prep offers a FULL LINE of decorative concrete products and services using only Elite-Crete brand products. Please take a moment to read some of the following info about Acid-Etch Staining to see if it might be the right choice for your next project.
Acid Stain is not a paint or coating agent. Rather, it’s a coloring process involving a chemical reaction on a cement material.A solution made with water, acid and inorganic salts reacts with minerals already present in the concrete, the result of this reaction is color. It works very well on new or old concrete, and we’ve seen impressive results over our decorative polymer overlays as well as self-leveling products. Acid Stain is a very durable product if properly protected with sealer (included in all Concrete Impressions acid stain projects) or wax, and it can be applied to both interiors and exteriors.
What makes Acid Stain so attractive? Acid Stain gives concrete a mottled, variegated, marble-like look. It creates beautiful colors on concrete, mostly earth tone browns, reddish browns, and greens. You can also create your own shades from 8 different colors by mixing and matching your available colors, or applying them at different rates. Never expect Acid Stain to be uniform or have an even tone, you’ll get different reactions from slab to slab, and even on the same job, you may see different coloration patterns.
Grindstaff Prep transforms an ordinary concrete slab into a luxurious floor that resembles marble or glazed stone.When concrete is stained and scored Concrete Impressions can create the appearance of expensive flooring at a fraction of the cost.
Each concrete slab accepts the stain in varying degrees of intensity creating stunning, multi-hued color variations and an uneven surface that looks perfectly aged.
Acid Stains can be applied to walks, entrances, driveways, living rooms, bathrooms, patios, high traffic areas and even vertically to any cement surface.
Those suffering from allergies find concrete staining especially appealing and a welcome change from deep pile carpeting. Concrete Impressions’ Stains are virtually maintenance free for a carefree lifestyle–simply damp mop as needed.
Not every concrete floor is eligible for Acid Stain. Although age is not an issue, the shape it’s in is. A smooth concrete surface will yield more attractive results than an old worn one. If the concrete is spalled, the aggregate is exposed or has previously been acid etched, the stain may not “take in” and will not look as desired because the aggregate does not react with the stain, only materials in the concrete paste do. On some applications where the surface is textured, as in stamped concrete or stamped overlays, Acid Stain provides even more depth of color, larger selection and realistic look to the surface.
Preparations for Acid Staining will depend on the condition of the slab. On new concrete, the only thing needed is to allow time for curing (at least three to four weeks after poured), and some rinsing and scrubbing to remove laitance. For old concrete, a thorough cleaning is necessary; any dirt, grease, paint, sealer or curing agent will prevent the stain from penetrating and reacting so it must be removed.
Grindstaff Prep has been growing very rapidly for the last few years, and Acid Stain has been a big part of this growth. More homeowners, architects, and designers are asking for this service. The Acid Stain market is miles away from being well known and developed, but it has a very bright and shiny future, and our goal is to help you learn more about this incredible product.
Whether you’re interested in refinishing the concrete in your store, basement, entry, studio or an entire house, let Grindstaff Prep transform your ugly concrete into a stunning work of art.
If you are interested in a quote for concrete staining or have questions not answered on our site, please feel free to contact us.