Polished Concrete Done right and Wrong

The Green Umbrella PHP Process: Steps Towards Achieving a Profiled, Honed, and Polished Floor

Polishing a floor is more than just opening the concrete and applying an acrylic sealer. The Green Umbrella PHP process is the art of mechanically and chemically processing a concrete floor through a series of profiling, honing, and polishing techniques to produce a reflective surface.

Substrate Preparation
Substrate preparation includes the removal of any floor coatings, tile, carpet, mastics, glue, etc.

Profiling
The concrete is opened, and surface blemishes are removed using heavy-duty grinders equipped with bonded, impregnated discs. Additional floor flattening may occur as well.

Densification/Hardeners
Various concrete treatments may be applied to dustproof, seal out potential contaminants, provide abrasion resistance, and repel salts, oils, etc.

Honing
Grinders and a bonded tool are used to mechanically produce a matte appearance and a slight clarity of reflection.

Penetrating Colorants
When desired, colorants may be introduced to a properly opened concrete substrate.

Polishing
The last step in the mechanical processing of the floor produces a clarity of reflection like a mirror and has a glass-like finish.

Penetrating MicroFilm
A concrete treatment may be applied to protect against foreign contaminants, oils, acids, etc.

Make sure your spec contains:

• Equipment: Achieve high production rates that will not impede other trade schedules
• Abrasives: The cut is as critical as the treatments
• Treatments: Hardener, color, MicroFilm

Polished Concrete Done Right

Some potential problems arise when polishing concrete. Green Umbrella has taken these issues and provided systems-based solutions to overcome them. Where other companies may fall short, we take the time and effort to ensure you are left with the best possible product.