Saturday, February 21, 2009

A Comparison Between Polished Concrete and Ceramic Tiles

By Mercie Hallow

The increase of demand for concrete polishing among consumers has shown rapid increase. This may be seen in the change of usage by some commercial establishments. Meanwhile the manufacturers who keep improving design and the technology their conventional products keep it at par to the present entering technology.

An example of a floor finish that is conventional is the ceramic tile. A ceramic tile is a material that differs from polished concrete because of its characteristics. When installing polished concrete, one can see that it is smooth and even while ceramic tile usually presents itself in grid-like patterns.

One specific characteristic of polished concrete and probably the best is its capability to withstand pressure because of its strength. In concrete polishing, certain procedures and methods must be met in order to create a hardened and compact flooring. With this, the consumer will enjoy a floor that is non-porous and stainresistant because of the density that the concrete developed during the polishing process.

Laying down ceramic tiles involves prepping the unfinished concrete floor, then applying adhesives and finishes with the application of tile grouts. Though this long used process does not guarantee it from breaking and does not even make it strong to carry heavier weights. This is the reason why ceramic tiles are not ideally used by consumers on spaces that has traffic or presence of heavy materials

Decorating with ceramic tiles and polished concrete is not really a problem. Tiles of unique colors and shades are readily available on the market. Tints, colorants and stains are the counterpart for decorating with concrete polishing.

Ease of maintenance is a great factor that will determine the efficiency of polished concrete over ceramic tiles. Cleaning a polished concrete floor surface only require a simple wiping of a moist rag. Cleaning a ceramic tile surface on the other hand, takes up more time because of the grooves which tend to be the place where dust settles.

With these we are concluded that polished concrete is better than ceramic tiles. Among the characteristics discussed and won are the strength, density and the ease of maintenance of polished concrete floors over ceramic tiles. - 15252

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