Richmond Barracks – Polished Concrete – Gold Finish

Main Contractor: Purcell Construction

350 M2 of concrete polished to a Gold finish as part of a large restoration project at Richmond Barracks.

Polished concrete floors are achieved by removing the very top layer off a concrete slab, exposing the aggregate underneath.

Removal is achieved by grinding away between 1 mm and 4 mm off the surface with diamond disks.

Once the desired grind is reached, the concrete can be honed and polished until the surface becomes hard and smooth, with a matt or gloss appearance.

Gold Finish

For a Gold finish, the initial grinding and polishing step is finer. Because the grind is not as deep into the concrete, less aggregate is exposed. This gives a smooth, salt and pepper polished concrete look with a highly reflective surface. Typically, 1 mm of the surface is ground away, so there is no room for error or variations in levels. This finish can only be achieved if the concrete has been power floated and is completely smooth before the grinding commences.

Specifying concrete suitable for a polished concrete floor

The most crucial element of a polished concrete floor is the quality of concrete and the pour. It is vital the slab mix, placement, finish & curing are done correctly You should always work with an experienced contractor. Your concrete slab is your final floor finish and should be treated with this in mind. Standard concrete slabs and old concrete can be polished, the final outcome is determined by the colour and mix of aggregate in the concrete screed.

Easy maintenance, even with heavy use

The easy maintenance of polished concrete is key in high-traffic areas where trolleys are used – such as airports, hotels, supermarkets and warehouses – eliminating the need for waxes. Non-allergic properties are important for hospitals, private residences, schools, etc.

Its glossy surface resists the marks of forklift truck tyres and staining from chemicals and oil on industrial floors. This versatility and toughness makes the concrete an ideal and ultimate flooring material for most floor applications.

Maintaining the shine requires only minimal effort. Just clean the floor regularly with a damp mop to remove grit, and use a suitable cleaner to enhance the shine. With basic cleaning, the floor will keep its lustre for years.

Heritage Contractors

Our legacy is quality projects we can be proud of. We value the inputs of our customers, our team and our supply chain in reaching positive outcomes. Health and safety to our people and the public is a priority for us and without compromise.

If you are working on a similar project we would love to hear about it. Dont hesitate to call us or send in the details of your project through our contact page at  https://pmac.ie/contact-pmac/

PMAC is a registered Heritage Contractor and a link for the site can be found below. 

https://heritageregistration.ie/heritage-contractors-listing/