Recently finished concrete floors are a sight to behold - especially in a newly opened retail location or warehouse. As decorative and durable as these floors are, the abuse they receive via pallet jacks, forklifts, end caps, seasonal displays and daily foot traffic takes a toll. Frequent polishing helps keep the floor looking great, but most retail settings and warehouse facilities will need their concrete flooring refinished about every three or four years.
If you’re trying to determine whether your concrete floor needs polishing or resurfacing, this article will help you understand the differences between those methods, decide when one or the other is required and suggest which equipment is best for polishing and resurfacing projects.
Polish vs. Resurface
If a concrete floor looks a little worse for wear thanks to forklift tire smudges, stains, shopping cart tracks, or everyday foot traffic, it’s time for a polish. This helps the floor regain its luster (without making it slippery) and creates a cleaner, more inviting setting—especially for retailers. Plus, polishing concrete strengthens the floor while still helping it maintain its porous qualities.
However, if the concrete floor is damaged in any way, polishing it isn’t going to solve the bigger problem of compromised structural integrity. Concrete surfaces with cracks, peels, breaks, chips and patches need to be resurfaced to repair the damage, keep staff and visitors safe, and return the floor to its original state.
Once it’s determined whether a concrete floor is a candidate for polishing or resurfacing, the good news is that there’s a versatile machine that performs both jobs: the hardworking, multipurpose floor grinder.
Choosing the Right Concrete Grinder
Though there are many floor grinders to choose from for polishing and resurfacing projects, Factory Cleaning Equipment recommends these two options for retail and warehouse settings:
Husqvarna PG 690 Grinder
The Husqvarna PG 690 Propane Concrete Floor Grinder is a smart choice for larger interior and exterior renovation projects and new site builds, especially when electrical access is restricted or nonexistent. Its innovative fuel injection system limits fuel consumption and reduces the risk of freezing in low temperatures, while its exhaust system is designed to lower emissions.
HTC T8 Grinder
The HTC DURATIQTM T8 Grinder is also ideal for all polishing and resurfacing concrete. Equipped with a digital control panel and a smart remote control, the T8 features a large grinding path, an ergonomic design for easier maneuverability, and a dustproof sealed grinding head that improves grinding precision while extending the life of the components.
Both concrete floor grinders have powerful head configurations that are ideal for resurfacing jobs and preparing concrete surfaces for epoxy flooring applications. They can be outfitted with Revive-Maxx Concrete Polishing Pads for more powerful polishing. Also, both of these high-quality grinder machines include adjustable weight kits to increase the grinding and polishing pressure when necessary.
Tip: when renting a grinder for a short-term project like floor refinishing, consider renting a package that includes a dust extractor and air scrubber. Grinder rental packages are a cost-effective solution that will allow you to control dust and maintain a safe environment.
Knowing the difference between polishing and resurfacing helps you identify the right method to give your concrete floor a fresh new look. When you need help determining which floor grinders and polishing pads your facility needs to get the respective job done, talk to the experts at Factory Cleaning Equipment. Our vast knowledge of concrete equipment, floor scrubbers and cleaners, coatings and more put us miles ahead of the competition. Contact us today with questions about your floor polishing, resurfacing, and grinder needs.