An inexpensive and more efficient technique for polishing concrete has been developed in the last few years. The process is known as “Grind & Seal” and was created by contractors to offer clients more competitive pricing and options. To understand why the Grind & Seal polished concrete floor technique is so efficient and cost-effective, it helps to understand how traditional polished concrete floors have usually been installed. Traditional Polished Concrete Installation The traditional way to create a polished concrete floor on an existing concrete substrate requires eight to ten laborious steps. The grinding phase takes four to five stages using a diamond grinding machine and various grades of grinding pads. Next, the ground concrete must be made less porous by applying a liquid densifier. The densifier is applied and buffed into the concrete. The final four to five steps are reserved for polishing. Fine-grade pads are used on the diamond grinding machine to buff the ground, densified concrete to a high shine. This process is time-consuming, expensive, and requires additional sealer coats for any desired sheen other than high-gloss. The Grind & Seal Polished Concrete Floor System in NYC and Beyond. The Grind & Seal system has become very popular in NYC and has spread to other major metros. Property or building maintenance managers love this process because they can do it with an in-house crew instead of hiring specialty subcontractors. ERETZ Group in NYC has been our customer for 5 to 6 years. Transpacific Building Maintenance, based in San Francisco, and Adly Management, based in Los Angeles, have started this process in the past couple of years. Modern, Cost-effective, and Efficient way to Achieve a Polished Concrete Finish. “Grind & Seal” involves only two stages (grinding and sealing) broken down into four to five steps. Firstly, the concrete substrate must be ground in two stages. Typically 80 and 100-grit or 100 and 120-grit grinding pads are used depending on the substrate’s profile. Secondly, the ground substrate is sealed with two to three coats of different concrete sealers. The sealers should be applied using a 1/4″ nap roller, which is easy and cost-effective. Once the substrate is ground to the correct profile, Perdure A03 is applied first. A03 is a clear acrylic sealer that prevents moisture from seeping into the concrete and offers UV protection to help prevent the concrete from discoloring. A03 dries in 15-30 minutes, so it won’t be long until you move on to the next step. Next, apply one or two coats of Perdure Polyurethane Sealer. You may choose from a gloss or a matte finish. Perdure U45 is matte, while Perdure U46 is gloss. Perdure U45 and U46 need eight to ten hours to set before they can be recoated. If you’re applying two coats of sealer, you’ll probably have to return the next day to apply the second coat. Perdure Acrylic and Perdure Polyurethane Sealers are low VOC. They give off very little odor while being applied or drying, so they can be used in spaces where people exist. What’s in it for Contractors? Grind & Seal is a win-win solution for contractors. It allows them to be more competitive with their pricing while offering prospective clients a cost-effective solution.