The Strand, Waiheke

Nestled along the picturesque beachfront of Waiheke Island, this project presented a unique challenge with a stunning black floor that required complete redoing. The decision stemmed from an unfortunate accident that rendered the old floor irreparable, leading to a full insurance claim to cover the extensive restoration.

Client

Redacted

Location

Waiheke Island

Surface Area

75m2

Date

May 2022

The Challenge

This particular project posed a greater challenge than usual due to the abundance of finished edges that required careful attention during the grinding and polishing process. Our team took extra precautions to protect these edges, ensuring that no damage occurred throughout the house. Additionally, the inclusion of black oxide in the concrete mix heightened the floor's susceptibility to revealing imperfections during the grinding and polishing stages, necessitating meticulous attention to detail and precision in our work. Despite these challenges, our dedicated efforts culminated in a fantastic result, as evidenced by the satisfaction of both the clients and the renovation company involved in the project.

No items found.

Job Process

What we did

Meticulously safeguarding all walls and finished surfaces, our team embarked on the initial phase of the project, utilizing a 50 grit grinding process to effectively remove the original polyurethane sealer from the floor. Subsequently, we proceeded with patching and grouting the floor, gradually progressing to a 160 grit finish. Extensive hand detailing was employed, particularly under the featured stairs, ensuring that no imperfection was overlooked. Advancing further, we meticulously polished the floor up to a 400 grit finish, meticulously achieving a semi-gloss appearance that complemented the serene seaside setting without creating excessive glare.

Black Oxide Standard Mix

Adding black oxide to a concrete mix in grinding and polishing creates a dark, consistent color throughout the concrete. This can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the floor and provide a uniform look, especially when grinding and polishing to expose aggregate or achieve a specific finish

Medium grind

A medium grind in concrete grinding typically removes around 1.5 to 3 millimeters of the concrete surface, exposing the majority but not all of the aggregates in the concrete.

Semi Gloss Finish

A semi-gloss sheen in polished concrete is a finish that offers a moderate level of shine, falling between a matte and a high-gloss finish. It provides a subtle, reflective surface that is less shiny than a high-gloss finish but more so than a matte finish.

Learn more about our process

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Still got questions? Find quick answers to common questions about our polished concrete services.

Can any concrete be polished?

In general, most concrete can be polished. However, the quality of the final result can depend on factors such as the quality of the concrete mix, the level of aggregate exposure desired, and the condition of the existing concrete surface.

How is polished concrete different from regular concrete?

Polished concrete undergoes a grinding and polishing process that regular concrete does not. This process enhances the appearance, durability, and stain resistance of the concrete surface.

What is polished concrete?

Polished concrete is a process that involves grinding and polishing a concrete surface to achieve a smooth, glossy finish. It is commonly used as a flooring option in both residential and commercial spaces.

What are the benefits of polished concrete?

Some benefits of polished concrete include its durability, low maintenance requirements, and aesthetic appeal. It is also environmentally friendly and can help improve indoor air quality.