Microcement vs Polished Concrete
Microcement is a combination of cement materials and special resins. It is applied in thin layers and then coated with a polyurethane sealer with either a matt or glossy finish. In contrast, a polished concrete floor has undergone grinding, chemical impregnation, and polishing.
Microcement has many advantages over polished floors, and they are as follows.
1.Durability | MICROCEMENT VS POLISHED CONCRETE
The durability of microcement is high compared to that of polished concrete, as it has undergone several heavy chemical treatments. The cracks in polished concrete floors are more, and cracks are very rare in the case of microcement.
2.Waterproof | MICROCEMENT VS POLISHED CONCRETE
Both microcement and polished concrete are waterproof, but the former has the property of anti-slip that provides extra safety to the users.
3. Finishing layer | MICROCEMENT VS POLISHED CONCRETE
The finishing layer of the microcement floor is a polyurethane sealer, whereas the concrete floor is to impregnate and use any sealer. Thus it is evident that microcement provides more finish looks than polished concrete.
4. Time for hardness | MICROCEMENT VS POLISHED CONCRETE
The time taken by microcement to harden is significantly less when compared to polished concrete floors. Microcement only takes 12 hours to set, and seven days are required for a complete cure. But in the case of polished concrete floors, it is 14 days, and for complete treatment or hardening, it needed at least 28 days. Thus the application of microcement to your place doesn’t affect your smooth running of the day.
5. Danger of cracking | MICROCEMENT VS POLISHED CONCRETE
The danger of cracks is very rare in microcement, whereas in polished concrete floors, the threat of cracks is very often, thus affecting the durability.
6. Dilatation joints | MICROCEMENT VS POLISHED CONCRETE
Unlike polished floors, microcement doesn’t have dilatation joints.
7. Installation process | MICROCEMENT VS POLISHED CONCRETE
The installation process of microcement is minor, as it includes only three steps – primer application, microcement polymer system, and the final polyurethane sealer application. Still, in the polished concrete floor, the installation process is more, including procedures like plain concrete mixing with admixtures, mineral hardener, impregnation, and varnish.
8. Types of equipment required | MICROCEMENT VS POLISHED CONCRETE
The application of microcement does not require the use of heavy equipment; meanwhile, for polished concrete floors, there involves the use of heavy equipment.
9. Moisture | MICROCEMENT VS POLISHED CONCRETE
If the sealing of polished concrete floor is not adequately finished and sealed, there is a high chance of moisture penetration. And if a liquid enters through the pores of the concrete floor, that can lead to mold growth, But these kinds of issues don’t arise from microcement as microcement is stain-free and mold-free.
10. Cold | MICROCEMENT VS POLISHED CONCRETE
Another issue with polished concrete floors is that they cannot retain the heat very well, and so during winter seasons, the foundation also gets cold, but it will not be more than ceramic tile or natural stones. This case of a problem is rare with microcement.
11. Choices of finish | MICROCEMENT VS POLISHED CONCRETE
Microcement enables the customers to see and choose the color, tone, and finish design even before application. Still, it is not that easy to do the same in polished concrete floors, so there can arise a chance that polishing concrete floors may sometimes give unexpected designs.
12. Versatility | MICROCEMENT VS POLISHED CONCRETE
Microcement is very versatile; that is, there is always a way to change the color, tone, and design finish of microcement whenever required. It is even possible to install any flooring system on top of micro-cement
Thus, it is evident that there exists a lot of difference between the floors made from microcement and polished concrete. Microcement is more user-friendly, and it is also easier for contractors to work with it. Microcement is a more cost-effective, elegant alternative to polished concrete.
Want to know more about microcement works, click here.
