When it comes to choosing flooring that is good for the environment, polished concrete is a smart option. Many people don’t realise that concrete can be both durable and eco-friendly. Concrete polishing is a process that transforms regular concrete floors into beautiful, shiny surfaces that are easy to maintain. Here’s why concrete polishing is a responsible choice for the planet.
But first, Let’s Learn the Basics:
Polished concrete is popular in many places, like homes, offices, stores, and even industrial buildings. It’s a versatile choice because it can handle heavy foot traffic and still looks great. Polished concrete floors start as regular concrete slabs.
First, the concrete is ground to flatten the surface and reveal the desired amount of stone. The floor is then processed further using finer and finer diamond grinding and polishing tools to achieve the desired gloss level.
How Polished Concrete Benefits the Environment?
- Polished concrete flooring already uses regular concrete, which means no extra materials are needed. This cuts down on waste and reduces the need for new resources.
- Concrete polishing Newcastle doesn’t require harmful chemicals. Many traditional flooring options, like carpet or vinyl, involve chemicals that can harm the environment. Polishing concrete just needs water-based flooring treatments and special machines, making it a cleaner choice.
- Concrete can include recycled materials like old rubble or glass. Using these recycled materials means less waste in landfills and fewer raw materials being used. This helps conserve natural resources and lowers the carbon footprint.
- Choosing polished concrete means you are making use of a material that is both durable and eco-friendly. The process itself is also energy-efficient compared to manufacturing other types of flooring. This makes concrete polishing cost reasonable in the long term.
Better and Healthier Indoor Air Quality:
- Polished concrete floors can make the air inside your home or office healthier. Unlike carpets, which can trap dust, pollen, and pet hair, polished concrete does not hold onto these allergens.
- Newcastle polished concrete does not need harsh chemicals for cleaning or maintenance. Many traditional flooring options require strong cleaners that can release harmful fumes. With polished concrete, you only need water and a mild, PH neutral cleaner, which helps keep the air free from toxic chemicals.
- Polished concrete floors do not grow mould easily. Carpets and wood can absorb moisture, leading to mould and mildew, which can harm indoor air quality. Polished concrete is resistant to moisture, so it is less likely to support mould growth.
- By improving indoor air quality, polished concrete floors contribute to a healthier living and working environment. This supports sustainable living because it reduces the need for chemical cleaners and promotes a clean, allergen-free space.
Contribution to LEED Certification:
Polished concrete floors can help buildings earn LEED certification. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building rating system that recognises eco-friendly buildings. Polished concrete helps in several LEED categories.
- As mentioned earlier, it uses materials already in place, which means less waste and fewer new resources. This supports the LEED category for materials and resources.
- Polished concrete does not need harmful chemicals, which benefits the indoor environmental quality category. Clean indoor air is important for earning LEED points.
- Using recycled materials in concrete can earn extra LEED credits. Old glass, rubble, or other recycled items can be mixed into the concrete, reducing landfill waste. This helps in the recycled content category of LEED.
- Polished concrete can also reflect light well. This can make spaces brighter and save energy on lighting. Buildings that use less energy score better in the LEED energy efficiency category.
Choosing polished concrete floors is a smart and green choice. They are good for the environment, cost less to maintain, and improve indoor air quality. If you are starting a sustainable lifestyle, concrete polishing is one of the best ways to begin. Get in touch with a professional company specialising in concrete floor polishing today. Search “concrete polishing near me” to get started.