How long does a polished concrete floor last?
AES says heavy-traffic floors may need a redo every 5 to 10 years. In its words, “Places with heavy traffic may need to redo their concrete finishing every 5 to 10 years, but it is a quick and affordable process requiring very little downtime.”
That range is for busy places. AES does not publish a number for lighter-use floors, so ask for an opinion on your own floor instead of trusting a guess.
What does AES say makes polished concrete durable?
AES describes polished concrete floors as “low maintenance and durable.” It says they look as good as stone, marble or tile but “require much less care.” Finished concrete is “usually much more resistant to scratching, staining, or chipping,” and in places with high foot traffic every day, it “maintains its gloss much longer.”
Here is a plain summary of AES’s published comparison:
| Feature | What AES says |
|---|---|
| Durability | Extremely durable |
| Care needed | Low maintenance, much less than marble or stone |
| Scratch, stain and chip resistance | Usually much more resistant |
| Gloss in busy areas | Maintained much longer |
| Heavy-traffic refinish interval | May need a redo every 5 to 10 years |
| Redo process | Quick, affordable, very little downtime |
What shortens the life of the finish?
Heavy traffic is the main factor AES names. That is why busy places such as showrooms, warehouses, hospitals, commercial kitchens, garages and schools sit at the 5 to 10 year end of AES’s range. AES lists these among the places that most commonly choose commercial concrete polishing and finishing.
Sealing matters too. AES says sealing protects the polished surface from scratching, chipping and staining.
What does a refinish involve?
The AES site describes the original process in two steps. Step one is concrete grinding, which “removes any kind of unevenness, extra concrete, or adhesive that may be stuck to the surface.” Step two is polishing, which “brings out the final high-gloss finish.” Sealing and staining are optional extras. See the entries for polished concrete, grit and densifier for the terms your contractor may use.
AES calls a redo “a quick and affordable process requiring very little downtime.” If your business cannot close for long, that matters. Our guide to concrete floor prep shows what happens first on a floor.
Is polished concrete better than epoxy for lifespan?
They are different products for different jobs. AES offers epoxy floor coatings as well as polishing. We have not published a lifespan figure for epoxy, so we will not compare years here. Read our polished concrete vs epoxy page for how the two differ.
A floor that was coated or glued down before may need prep first. The floor adhesive removal page explains why.
How do you get the most years from a floor?
Use these simple habits, all in line with what AES says about finish and care.
- Choose a finish for your traffic. A showroom and a warehouse aisle are not the same.
- Seal the polished floor. AES says sealing protects against scratching, chipping and staining.
- Plan for a redo in the 5 to 10 year range if traffic is heavy, and budget for it.
- Ask us about your floor and your traffic before you set a schedule.
Which kinds of buildings choose polished concrete?
AES says polished concrete works well in almost all settings, whether industrial, commercial or residential. It lists the places that most commonly choose it: large showrooms and malls, automobile showrooms, hospitals, garages, laboratories, schools and universities, commercial kitchens, churches, salons, warehouses and manufacturing facilities. Anyone who wants durable flooring with a good look can benefit, in AES’s words.
That list is useful for planning. A garage and a salon will not see the same wear, so they will not follow the same schedule. Our pages on industrial concrete polishing and commercial concrete polishing cover those jobs.
What should you ask before you schedule a redo?
Plan a redo around your calendar, not around a breakdown. Ask these questions when you call.
- How much downtime do you expect? AES says a redo needs very little downtime.
- Does the floor need grinding first, or can it be polished again?
- Should the floor be sealed again?
- Do you want to change the look, for example with concrete staining?
AES says the staining process starts with a ground and polished floor, then the stain goes on. Staining gives a color that looks much like marble or stone.
Next step
Advanced Environmental Services provides concrete polishing, concrete sealing, concrete staining and concrete grinding contractors services in St. Louis, St. Charles and Columbia, Missouri. Call (314) 865-2662 or use the quote form at /contact to have your floor looked at. Read the concrete finishing FAQs too.
Frequently asked questions
How often does polished concrete need to be redone?
AES says places with heavy traffic may need to redo their concrete finishing every 5 to 10 years. It calls the redo a quick and affordable process that needs very little downtime. AES does not publish a number for lighter-use floors.
Is polished concrete low maintenance?
AES says polished concrete floors are low maintenance and durable, and that they need much less care than marble, stone or tile. It also says finished concrete is more resistant to scratching, staining and chipping, even in high foot traffic areas.
Does sealing help a polished floor last?
AES says concrete sealing protects a polished floor from scratching, chipping or staining, and makes the surface easy to clean. Sealing is one of AES's concrete finishing services, along with grinding, polishing and staining.
