Visual Facets and Characteristics

There are four visual facets of Polished Concrete Aggregate Exposure, Clarity of Reflection, Color and Existing and Planed Characteristics.

1. Aggregate Exposure

• Surface Cream
• Fine Aggregate
• Medium Aggregate
• Large Aggregate

The Surface Cream layers are distinguished by color variations. There are several layers within the cream.

The Fine Aggregate layer is distinguished by aggregate that is the size of sand grains to 1/16 of an inch. This layer is the purest, the most consistent in color and has the most imperfections removed before exposing medium aggregate. This is the preferred processing layer for an aggregate free or as close to an aggregate free floor as possible.

Medium Aggregate

Large Aggregate

2. CLARITY OF REFLECTION

Clarity of reflection refers to how defined, crisp and clear the reflection of objects are in the new concrete surface. There is a difference between a crisp and clear reflection and a muffled one.

Clarity of reflection refers to how defined, crisp and clear the reflection of objects is in the concrete surface.

• Ground
• Honed
• Semi Polished
• Highly Polished

Honed concrete will have a well-refined and even appearance to the finish with a muffled shine lacking clarity of reflection but does have a clean and refined appearance. A honed finish stops at 200 or 400 grit.

Semi Polish concrete will have greater reflection with a crisp appearance. A semi polished finish stops at 800 grit.

Highly Polished concrete will have depth and clarity of reflection like a mirror. A highly polished finish stops at 1,500 or 3,000 grit.

3. COLORING

There are four primary ways concrete is colored:

• Integral - Performed at the time of pour and is considered environmentally friendly.
• Water Based Dyes - Performed during the polishing process and is considered environmentally friendly.
• Solvent Based Dyes - Performed during the polishing process and is not considered environmentally friendly.
• Acid Stain - Performed during the polishing process and is not considered environmentally friendly.

4. EXISTING AND PLANNED CHARACTERISTICS

Concrete contains multiple variations like a piece of wood. Each piece of concrete has its own character.

PLANNED CHARACTERICS

Metal Strips, Stained and Exposed Aggregate

Recycled Glass Mixed with Black Cement

EXISTING CHARACTERISTICS

Two different mixes separated by a cold joint. See the different aggregate?

A patched crack.

Surface crazing created by improper curing or a mix with too much water.

Pieces of wood in the concrete.

Rebar