Concrete and how to get it right as a flooring choice - Undercover Architect Podcast
Diagrind ® was recently interview by the Undercover Architect. This was a great way to help answer all the questions that people often have when it comes to polished concrete. 
Why DIY isn't always better or cheaper
There are times that DIY is the best and the cheapest option and then there are times that it is not. When paying for a professional to do the work you aren't just paying for the hours that they are working for you. What you are paying for is they years of experience and knowledge.
There are many factors to consider when starting a DIY Project. Below i have listed some to consider before starting your DIY Journey.
DM Terrazzo
What is DM Terrazzo?
DM Terrazzo is Design Manipulated Terrazzo. DM Terrazzo gives the architect the opportunity to encompass the style of the floor into their vision for the build and the designer the freedom to create a colour palette that is outside the box. Neither are limited to standard colours and ideas. At DM Terrazzo we will work with you to design a solution whether it is floors or fixtures to compliment your vision.
DM Terrazzo is more inline with traditional Terrazzo floors which have been around for hundreds of years. DM Terrazzo is a problem solver and a creative magic wand. A thin layer of DM Terrazzo can be poured on new or existing concrete, transforming it into a new floor. Existing concrete slabs often have imperfections – VCT tile lines, various patching materials from carpet tack strips, trenching, framing braces. This so-called character may be OK with some customers, but not the customer who wants uniformity. Many customers are wanting polished concrete without all the flaws showing up in the finished floor.
DM Terrazzo uses Rapid Set® TRU® is an advanced, professional grade, hydraulic cement-based, architectural topping and resurfacer as its base product. Rapid Set® cement is rapid-hardening calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement, not a portland cement. Rapidset TruTM rapidly levels, maintains workability for 20 minutes, is ready for foot traffic in 2 to 3 hours, produces a smooth, strong surface, has high-bond strength, and ready for coatings in 12 hours and polishing within 24 hours. Integral colours are sourced to colour projects and only the finest aggregates are chosen to complete DM Terrazzo projects. Made from natural materials tonal variation can be expected.
In terms of decorative options, existing concrete slabs are limited to topical color systems. Where as DM Terrazzo can be integrally colored – even multicolored to create designs – dyed and stenciled to create art or graphics and then polished to a high gloss. DM Terrazzo offers an easy solution to make the floor designable, for both decorative and functional effects. It has a unique visual character that can be creatively enhanced in a variety of ways, and it can be gorgeous.
What is Polished Concrete and What do you need?
So what is Polished Concrete? There are two main types of polished concrete and the term can be used interchangeably between them both. You have diamond or mechanical polished concrete and grind and seal polished concrete. Both methods are infact poished concrete but have very distinct differences. It is key when pricing up your polished concrete you determine which type you want and are pricing.
There are two main types of polished concrete
Diamond Polished Concrete |
Grind and Seal Polished Concrete |
This process is designed mainly for new construction. Requires 32MPA concrete and the gloss level is achieved during the polishing process.  |
This Process is designed for older/lower quality concrete and the gloss level is achieved through the use of a topical sealer. This sealer can be waterbased, polyurethane or epoxy. |
At Diagrind ® we will take to you about the pro's and cons of each choice and help guide you to choosing the option that bes suits your home/office/shop and your budget.
Please check out our calculator to get an esitmate on the cost of polished concrete, floor preparation works, epoxy and Terrazzo.
What if your concrete isn't good enough ?
Sometimes the concrete is the wrong height (as found in mny retail shops or after tiles have been removed in your home), and sometimes the concrete is just ugly. There is no nice way to say it. The colour could be all wrong or there could be mutiple patches and tenches and to polish the existing concrete would just be an eyesore. For these situations we recommend DM Terrazzo. A thin set Terrazzo floor can be designed to suit any space and installed after a base build. It can be polished using both techniques of polishing and can offer a rapid turnaround and tranformation of an unusable space to a piece of flooring art.
Having the right setup is critical
- Firstly it allows you to get the job done in a reasonable period of time
- No one wants a project to drag on and on especially floors as they can be so disruptive.
- Secondly, safety: having a good dust management procedures in place you are not only keeping yourself and staff safe but also protecting the public from unnecessary dust exposure. Dust management also keeps the site clean and a clean site allows everyone to work seamlessly around each other.
- Thirdly a great team. Having a great setup allows the team to work efficiently around each other even in a tight space. This work was completed between 10pm and 5am (when it was freezing). Working during these hours and these temps can be a recipe for disaster. However we had the right crew with the right setup and the work was performed to perfection. (also having a generator on the truck allows us to have three phase power wherever we need it).
Site Setup Example 1:
