A professional in concrete floor installation mainly works on construction sites or building renovation projects. They may be responsible for pouring concrete on interior or exterior surfaces, either to create new foundations or to replace existing flooring (industrial flooring, polished concrete, carpet, tiles, laminate flooring, engineered wood, PVC tiles, vinyl flooring, hardwood).
A professional in concrete flooring installation can work on projects of all sizes, from small to large, and on all types of buildings, including single-family homes, wet rooms, office buildings, stores, and factories. They may collaborate with other building professionals such as architects, engineers, or interior designers to ensure that the concrete flooring they install meets project requirements and client needs.
Finally, a professional in concrete floor installation must be able to meet deadlines and budgets and work in accordance with safety regulations and construction industry standards.
How to make a concrete floor?
To make a concrete floor, you will need:
- Sand
- Cement
- Water
- Reinforcing bars (optional)
Here are the steps to follow:
Prepare the surface on which you will pour the concrete. Make sure the surface is flat and free of obstacles. If necessary, use fill to level the ground.
Trace the outline of the floor using lines or wooden planks. If using reinforcing bars, install them now by fixing them to the edges of the future slab.
Mix the cement, sand, and water until you have a homogeneous paste. Use enough water to make the paste fluid, but not too much to prevent it from sagging.
Pour the concrete paste into the outlines of the future slab and smooth it with a shovel or wooden rule. If using reinforcing bars, make sure they are well covered in concrete.
Let the concrete harden for at least 24 hours before walking on it or placing anything on it. If necessary, leave it to harden for 48 hours or more to obtain a stronger slab.
How to make a polished concrete floor?
Here are the steps to follow to make a polished concrete floor:
Prepare the subfloor: Make sure the surface where the concrete will be poured is flat and free of any object that could impede leveling. If necessary, use lime to fill in any holes or irregularities.
Install formwork: Install formwork that will hold the shape of the concrete in place while it sets. Wooden planks, steel sheeting, or polystyrene panels can be used to make formwork.
Mix the concrete: Mix the cement, sand, and water according to the proportions recommended by the manufacturer. Use a concrete mixer or manually mix with a shovel.
Pour the concrete: Pour the prepared concrete into the formwork, taking care to level it with a rule or shovel. Tap the formwork lightly to remove any air bubbles that may form inside.
Smooth the surface: Once the concrete has been poured, use a trowel to smooth the surface and remove any roughness. To obtain an even smoother finish, pass a concrete roller over the surface once the concrete has begun to harden.
Let the concrete harden: Let the concrete harden for 24 hours before removing the formwork. It is useful to protect fresh concrete by covering it with a tarp or protective cloth. Once the concrete has completely hardened, it is necessary to sand and polish it to obtain an even smoother finish.
What is polished concrete?
Polished concrete is a type of surface finish that involves smoothing fresh concrete before it has had time to harden. This technique produces a smooth and homogeneous surface, similar to that of a marble or granite floor. It is often used in modern buildings to give a more aesthetic appearance to concrete floors.
To create a polished concrete floor, follow the steps for preparing the subfloor and setting up the formwork described above. Once the concrete has been poured and leveled, use a trowel or concrete roller to smooth the surface. To obtain an even smoother finish, use a diamond disc on the surface after the concrete has hardened. Then sand and polish the concrete to obtain an even smoother and brighter finish.
