Resources
Polishing Contractor
Subscribe to Polishing Contractor
Published quarterly, Polishing Contractor is the official publication of the Concrete Polishing Association of America and features, industry news, tips and tricks, project profiles, and more.
Polishing Contractor
Summer 2011
How to Choose the Right Equipment
Polished Concrete: An American Export
...and more!
Polishing Contractor
Spring 2011
Improve your edge work
Polished concrete meets cowboy contemporary at a western-themed restaurant
Concrete that sparkles like the snow: Concrete Visions uses mirrored-glass aggregate to create a twinkle effect on a polished concrete overlay
...and more!
The Construction Specifier
The Construction Specifier
January 2012
Improving Brick Production for a More Sustainable Future
Solving the Mysteries of Bonded Abrasive Polished Concrete Floors
Searching for Rooftop Performance
Maximizing Benefits of Plastic and Metal Piping
...and more!
Concrete Contractor Articles
Understanding polished concrete
Polished concrete, discovered roughly 14 years ago, has etched its way into history as a sustainable, low maintenance flooring option in just about every market segment. We have all walked across a polished concrete surface at some point within the past few years.
A Scientific Approach to Polishing Concrete
One of the issues I see in the concrete polishing industry is contractors not allowing an abrasive to fully refine the floor to its maximum potential before moving to the next grit in the processing sequence. The result is a floor that lacks overhead reflective clarity and durability.
Back to School
Although the James M. Bennett High School in Salisbury, Md., will not be submitted for certification through LEED, the Wicomico County Board of Education knew that all future schools built in the district would have to earn LEED certification.
Abrasives 101
Abrasives are the most important tool for mechanically processing concrete to a polished finish. They come in many forms, shapes and sizes and are made out of various materials whose bonding varies in hardness.
Equipment Selection Tips
Selecting equipment to grind, hone and polish can be a daunting task. There are several factors to take into consideration, among them the equipment's power requirements, weight, motor size, overall dimensional size, working dimensions and direction or directions the abrasives rotate.
Tips for Decorative Concrete Contractors on Polished Concrete - Planning the Finish
The success of a polished concrete surface doesn't rest solely with the concrete processing steps. Careful planning of the project from mix design through final protection will help a contractor achieve a successful end.
An Introduction to Concrete Processing
The concrete polishing industry is still in its infancy, but it's growing very rapidly. Although concrete polishing and other concrete processing steps have been performed for about 10 years, it has only been in the last two to three that architects, engineers, property owners, interior designers and general contractors have taken increased notice.
Marketing Polished and Stained Decorative Concrete Floors
A fantastic, well-done polished concrete floor or stained concrete floor speaks for itself, right? Not always. Concrete contractors should not rely only on possible clients seeing their work just by passing by.
Polishing Lets Concrete Shine
When Shawn Wardall of Specialized Construction Services, Inc. took on an 11,000-square-foot polished concrete floor at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Belleville, Wis., he wanted to bring the congregation a beautiful, natural-looking floor to match the unique architecture of the building.
